J Natl Med Assoc
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Obesity is now recognized as a chronic, progressive condition requiring early intervention and long-term management to achieve health benefits and improve metabolic risk factors. The main objective of obesity pharmacotherapy is weight loss and weight loss maintenance. ⋯ As a result, there is increased focus on the efficacy and safety of these agents. We provide a historical perspective, review of recent studies on anti-obesity medication outcomes showing efficacy, potential side effects and promising therapies in development.
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The sleep quality scale (SQS) is a comprehensive multidimensional sleep assessment scale used to evaluate sleep quality (SQ) among adults in the general population. However, the scale is yet to be validated among indigenous African populations such as in Nigeria. This study validated the factor structure and evaluated the reliability of a previously developed SQS among community-based adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. ⋯ Our findings revealed that the SQS is promising for population-based assessment of SQ and may also assist in identifying sleep-related disorders and monitoring the efficacy of sleep treatment among indigenous Africans.
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Sickle cell disease is a hereditary hemolytic anemia that exposes women to increased health risks especially in pregnancy, with serious implications for the woman and fetus. Acute pain episodes can occur multiple times per month and result in reduction of quality of life and disruption of her life. ⋯ Etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implants were associated with a reduction in the intensity and frequency of pain crises in women with sickle cell disease. Moreover, it was safety among these population due to no changes in laboratory parameters during the first 12 months of use.
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When individuals follow a diet or limit their food intake, they activate cognitive restraint, which is defined as a mental effort to restrict dietary behavior with the goal of losing weight. As an example, fasting has also been associated with the recruitment of cognitive restraint, but further research is needed to fully understand its underlying mechanisms. ⋯ Our study has indicated that fasting is positively associated with increased levels of binge eating and food cravings.