The Transition into Young Adulthood: a Critical Period for Weight Control

Abstract

Purpose of Review Emerging adulthood (age 18–25) represents a critical period for weight control: rate of weight gain is greatest during these years and the prevalence of overweight and obesity is estimated to be at least 40% among emerging adults. Unique behavioral, psychosocial, and cognitive risk factors among this population must be specifically addressed within weight management programs. We review extant treatment approaches, including lessons learned from the nascent literature specifically targeting this population. Lastly, we provide suggestions to inform future work in this area. Recent Findings The EARLY consortium comprises seven clinical trials targeting weight control in young adults age 18–35. Though these studies encompass a broader age range, two of the trials enrolled large numbers of 18–25 year olds. Results from these trials and other recent pilot trials provide a foundation for next steps with respect to developing weight management interventions for emerging adults. Summary The design of targeted weight control approaches for emerging and young adults has contributed to improved outcomes for this high-risk population. However, suboptimal engagement and variability in response pose challenges. Identifying and intervening on individual-level behavioral and psychological variables may enhance the effects of these adapted treatments.

Turning the tables on obesity: young people, IT and social movements

“…However, whereas smoking cessation initiatives in adulthood have been fairly successful, it is very hard to achieve sustained weight loss in later life. Adolescence and early adulthood (broadly spanning 12-24 years of age) is the life-period with the most rapid weight gain, progressing for many to adult obesity [14][15][16] .…”

Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Over 6 Years in Young Adults in a Randomized Trial of Weight Gain Prevention

“…The significant interaction between age and treatment group seen here for triglycerides and insulin parallels that reported previously for weight changes, perhaps again suggesting the importance of weight changes in association with CVD risk-factor changes. Considered in combination with evidence that emerging adults (ages 18-25) experience the greatest weight gains (17), these data underscore the need for weight gain prevention interventions in this younger age group.…”

Weight loss, adverse events, and loss to follow-up after gastric bypass in young versus older adults: A Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry study

“…Weight loss between time points and BMI change/month over 5 years were compared between matching groups using independent samples t-test, ANOVA and mixed models 135 respectively. We primarily analyzed completers (full information maximum likelihood) and in sensitivity analyses we calculated (1) listwise deletion (subjects with full data at all assessment points only); and imputed data ( [2] baseline carried forward and [3] last observation carried forward). The odds ratios (ORs) of adverse events in young versus older adults were calculated by logistic regression, and the relative risk (RR) for loss-to-follow-up 140 was analyzed by Poisson regression.…”