What is not a factor associated with obesity among the following: watching TV for most hours of the day, stress, minimal exercise, and incretin mimetics (e.g. exenatide, liraglutide)?

From the Guidelines

Incretin mimetics, such as exenatide and liraglutide, are not a factor associated with obesity, but rather a treatment for it, as they help with weight loss by decreasing hunger and food intake. Unlike the other factors listed, which contribute to obesity, incretin mimetics work by mimicking the action of incretin hormones that stimulate insulin secretion, suppress glucagon release, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite.

Key Points

• Watching TV for most hours of the day promotes sedentary behavior and often leads to mindless eating, contributing to obesity 1.
• Stress can trigger emotional eating and increase cortisol levels, which may promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area, also contributing to obesity.
• Minimal exercise reduces calorie expenditure and decreases muscle mass, lowering metabolic rate and contributing to obesity.
• Incretin mimetics, on the other hand, are used to treat obesity and diabetes, with medications like liraglutide 3.0 mg being suggested for use in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications, in combination with lifestyle interventions 1.

Treatment Options

• The use of incretin mimetics, such as semaglutide, has been shown to be effective in achieving weight loss and improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity 1.
• Other medications, such as tirzepatide and dulaglutide, have also been found to be effective in promoting weight loss and improving glycemic control 1.

Lifestyle Interventions

• Lifestyle interventions, such as reducing sedentary behavior, managing stress, and increasing physical activity, are also important for achieving and maintaining weight loss 1.
• Understanding the distinctions between lifestyle factors that contribute to obesity and medications that treat it is crucial for developing effective treatment plans. Incretin mimetics, such as exenatide and liraglutide, are a key part of the solution to obesity, rather than a contributing factor, as supported by recent studies 1.

From the Research

Factors Associated with Obesity

The following factors are associated with obesity:

• Watching TV for most hours of the day
• Stress
• Minimal exercise

Factor Not Associated with Obesity

The factor not associated with obesity among the given options is:

• Incretin mimetics (e.g. exenatide, liraglutide) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Incretin mimetics are actually used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and have been shown to promote weight loss, rather than contribute to obesity 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.