Researchers found that obesity prevents a biological process that kills cancerous cells, revealing a possible reason why obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer. The study discovered that a molecule called 9S-HODE, normally present in lean tissue, is less present in obese adipocytes, allowing cancerous cells to grow unchecked.
Researchers at Harrington Discovery Institute have identified a biological mechanism that may explain why obesity relapse occurs and how it is passed down through generations. They found that obesity creates a lasting biological change in fat cells that keeps the hunger hormone asprosin elevated, even after weight loss, and that this s...
The Endocrine Society's new Scientific Statement emphasizes the importance of addressing overall health in obesity treatment, rather than solely focusing on weight loss. Research highlights the benefits of improved health and reduced risk of conditions like heart disease, sleep apnea, and liver disease.
The study found that prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss medications increased 310-fold among young children with obesity, from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026. Younger children with severe obesity and girls were more likely to receive the medications, highlighting the need for better access and monitoring.
This review synthesizes clinical and basic research progress on obesity and CVDs, exploring epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management strategies. The authors highlight the effects of obesity on various CVDs, emphasizing the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
A study of 1.26 million bariatric surgery patients found 5.3% had extreme obesity, defined as a BMI of 60 kg/m² or higher. Despite a higher burden of health conditions, surgical risk remained relatively low, with complications occurring in 2.57% of cases.
The 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference, 'Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy,' will explore strategies for preventing and treating childhood obesity, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and community leaders. The conference will feature keynotes, sessions, and poster presentations on emerging topics in pedi...
A new trial will assess whether Semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder, obesity, and liver disease. The four-year CURB project aims to explore the potential benefits of the weight loss drug in treating alcohol-related liver disease and obesity.
A new study by King's College London reveals that proposed new obesity definitions give greater insight into the ill health of metabolic bariatric surgery candidates compared to BMI. The study found marked variation in disease burden among patients considered for surgery, despite similar BMI.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center propose a new framework for defining and diagnosing obesity, which considers the effects of excess adiposity on organs and tissues. This approach provides a more biologically grounded and clinically actionable method for guiding treatment decisions.
Use of newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide was associated with a significant reduction in alcohol-related hospital admissions among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings suggest a potential role for these medications in treating alcohol-use disorder.
Researchers identified a distinct biological subtype of obesity that responds well to GLP-1-based medications like tirzepatide. Patients in this group lost an average of 21.5% of their body weight after six months of treatment.
A recent study published in Obesity Reviews found that knowledge about genetic risk alone is not sufficient to change behavior and reduce excess weight. Long-term, personalised support is crucial for effective behavioural change.
The European Association for the Study of Obesity, dietitian societies, and other organizations have issued a consensus statement on the use of incretin drugs in obesity therapy. Key findings include the importance of medical nutrition therapy delivered by registered dietitians to complement incretin-based therapies. The statement also...
The study found a 37% increase in obesity and a two-fold increase in severe obesity among both adults and youth over 20 years. Obesity rates have major implications for cardiovascular disease and mortality, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to address the rising epidemic.
The GSA has released a new online version of the KAER Toolkit, providing practical tools to integrate evidence-based obesity care into routine practice. The toolkit emphasizes treating obesity as a chronic disease and includes strategies for managing older adults using medications.
Rates of new obesity cases rose by 4% between 2019 and 2025, with the largest increases seen among young adults. The study also found significant disparities in obesity rates across sociodemographic groups and geographical regions, highlighting the need for deep-seated change to address the underlying factors driving obesity.
A recent study found that maternal obesity and excessive pregnancy weight gain significantly increased the risk of childhood obesity by age 3. Researchers tracked nearly 3,000 mother-child pairs and discovered that excess pregnancy weight gain was common, affecting about four in 10 mothers.
Research reveals genetic variations linked to obesity are more strongly associated with high BMI in younger generations, suggesting a stronger link between genetics and environment
The AGA commentary updates the POWER framework to reflect major advances in obesity care, including effective anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery. Gastroenterologists play a crucial role in obesity management, caring for patients with related conditions.
A new study by Pennington Biomedical and collaborators found that Americans with the highest levels of obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures overall. Despite the increasing prevalence of extreme obesity, these individuals appear to be receiving proportionally fewer surgical interventions each year. The research highlights gr...
Researchers found that a father's health can influence a child's risk for obesity and related health conditions, even before conception. The study suggests that addressing obesity requires a family-centered approach that recognizes fathers as essential partners in building healthier futures.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical published the first study to estimate pediatric obesity prevalence among US children and adolescents aged 5-18 years using the new Lancet Commission definitions. The study found that many children are already experiencing measurable health impairments associated with obesity.
A study found that BMI significantly understates obesity levels in the US, with up to 50% of overweight individuals reclassified as obese under a new clinical definition. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to adopt this new measure to better identify and treat obesity-related health risks.
A new study published in eBioMedicine found that integrating measurements such as body fat percentage and waist circumference can help identify individuals at high risk of developing obesity-related diseases. The research team analysed data from 489,311 participants and found that those with an adverse adiposity profile despite normal ...
The European Association for the Study of Obesity, dietitian societies, and patients' organizations have issued a new consensus statement on using incretin drugs to treat obesity. The statement highlights the importance of medical nutritional therapy (MNT) and reinforces healthy dietary patterns. It also emphasizes the need to monitor ...
A randomised controlled trial found semaglutide (Wegovy) significantly reduced BMI by 19% and fat mass in young adults with severe obesity, improving metabolic syndrome severity. The study suggests GLP-1 based treatment as a promising option for managing severe obesity in young people resistant to prior hospital-based care.
A systematic review found that obesity surgeries resulted in a higher proportion of fat-free mass loss compared to diet and exercise interventions. Incretin-based obesity drugs also led to greater fat-free mass loss than traditional weight loss methods.
The article discusses how studying art history can aid in treating obesity, highlighting its long-standing depiction as a sign of prosperity and physical strength. Doctors can become more empathetic towards patients by understanding this historical context.
New research finds lift capacity signs across Europe are outdated, failing to reflect current obesity trends. The study suggests that modernizing these signs is crucial for maintaining safety and comfort, while also acknowledging limitations in the investigation.
The updated algorithm incorporates evidence from multiple randomised clinical trials, highlighting the strength of tirzepatide for weight loss and semaglutide for liver disease management. The new guidance also recommends semaglutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis remission.
A new study found that obesity-related changes in body fat send harmful signals to the brain, disrupting brain immune function and worsening Alzheimer's pathology. Restoring balance in phosphatidylethanolamines reduced lipid dysregulation, improved brain function and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease models.
A new post-hoc analysis examined daily oral orforglipron treatment for obesity, with or without diabetes, in users aged 65 years and over. The study found that orforglipron significantly reduced body weight and improved blood sugar markers compared to placebo, with a similar safety profile to the overall ATTAIN clinical trial population.
A new study found that reducing annual working hours by 1% is linked to a small decline in obesity rates across 33 OECD countries, with the impact being stronger for men than women. Higher income levels and urbanization also showed significant correlations with lower obesity prevalence.
The 'Ozempic Era' suggests a paradigm shift in understanding obesity, blaming commercial food systems rather than individual failings. Emerging medical data on GLP-1 agonists may drive policy responses to regulate ultra-processed foods.
A study of 65 countries found that consuming food away from home is consistently associated with obesity. Eating out is driven by sociodemographic factors such as sex, age, income, and education, and is linked to higher energy intake and body mass index.
A new study suggests that abdominal obesity can lead to a higher prevalence and greater severity of menopause symptoms, including dizziness, hot flashes, and night sweats. Women with abdominal obesity exhibit distinct symptom network structures, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine released a new toolkit to help clinicians integrate lifestyle interventions with obesity medications. The toolkit provides practical guidance and patient education across the full course of medication use, addressing concerns about the lack of adequate lifestyle counseling. It aims to align ra...
A new tool can predict an individual's risk of developing 18 obesity-related diseases, identifying those at highest risk for earlier intervention. The OBSCORE model uses 20 commonly collected health measures to provide a more accurate and personalized way to identify individuals at higher risk.
A 10-year study found that obesity leaves a lasting impact on the immune system, with helper T cells carrying a long memory of being overweight. This 'memory' can lead to ongoing risk of obesity-related conditions even after weight loss.
A new study reveals that men with obesity are more likely to develop abdominal fat and poorer liver health, while women with obesity are more susceptible to systemic inflammation and a less healthy blood fat profile. The findings highlight the importance of sex-specific research and targeted therapies for managing obesity.
The Endocrine Society suggests that redefining obesity beyond BMI could complicate diagnosis and delay treatment. The proposed framework requires clinicians to prove organ dysfunction is caused by body fat for a clinical obesity diagnosis. This approach may hinder access to effective obesity treatment.
Higher pancreatic fat content is associated with higher BMI, diastolic blood pressure, liver and visceral fat, and insulin resistance in young people with severe obesity. Measuring pancreatic fat content could help identify those at risk of developing cardiometabolic health issues.
A global panel of experts recommends a 10-year trial with 5,000 participants at high risk of cancer due to pre-cursor conditions. The trial will evaluate the potential efficacy of GLP-1 and dual receptor agonists in preventing obesity-related cancers.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Obesity will provide graduate students and early career researchers with a two-week training program on obesity research and prevention. The school will feature renowned keynote speakers and cover topics such as epidemiological aspects, genetic nutrition, epigenetics, and emerging preventive ...
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics finds that children with obesity but without metabolic complications still face a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood lipid levels later in life. Treatment can greatly benefit these children, reducing the risk of future diseases.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
The Greaux Healthy initiative, launched by Pennington Biomedical Research Center, aims to prevent and treat childhood obesity in Louisiana. Studies show that childhood obesity is a national healthcare crisis in Louisiana, with over 1 in 3 children living with overweight or obesity.
A new study found that reducing parent stress can help prevent childhood obesity by improving parenting and reducing unhealthy eating habits. The 12-week randomized prevention trial showed that parents who received mindfulness and behavioral self-regulation skills combined with healthy nutrition and physical activity counseling had low...
A new study found that almost all people with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) exhibit increased body fat mass and health-related complications. Clinical obesity is associated with a 3-8 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes compared to non-obese individuals.
A study found that childhood obesity can lead to premature vascular damage in children as young as six, increasing the risk of diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart attack. The research identified early signs of inflammation and dysfunction in the endothelium, highlighting the need for public policies to prevent childhood obesity.
Researchers have quantified the role of obesity in common long-term conditions, showing that losing weight can prevent multiple diseases. Obesity was found to be the main shared cause between ten pairs of commonly occurring conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Obesity is a chronic health condition associated with harm to health, affecting more than one-third of the US population. A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes socioeconomic and structural barriers to obesity prevention and management.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Africa has surged, with a significant increase in obesity over the past two decades. Women are nearly five times more likely to be obese than men, while those with tertiary-level education are three times more likely. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted public health interven...
Experts discuss GLP-1 drug efficacy in treating obesity and its associated health issues. Key findings include the neurobehavioral links between mental health and obesity, as well as policy implications for access to these treatments.
Researchers found that everyday routines in early infancy can shape later obesity risk. A new study from Penn State suggests that a handful of routines around feeding, sleep and play during the first two months of an infant's life can be linked to higher weight just a few months later. The EHL tool helps pediatricians identify specific...
A recent study published in Obesity found a direct relationship between obesity severity and the likelihood of disease burden in the US population. The researchers discovered that higher BMI levels were associated with increased odds for various cardiometabolic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.
Researchers identified 13 genes linked to obesity across six continental ancestries, including five previously unknown. These genes, expressed in brain and adipose tissue, are associated with increased risk of severe obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with higher muscle mass and stronger handgrip are less likely to progress to obesity, organ issues, or death. Grip strength was consistently associated with lower risk across multiple muscle metrics.
People with higher muscle mass, as indicated by stronger grip strength, are less likely to develop organ damage or die from obesity. Building and maintaining muscle through weight training may be a practical way to identify individuals at risk and act early.