A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health confirms that obesity is more common among those with lower education levels in wealthy countries. The research, which analyzed data from 70 countries, suggests that economic growth and increasing calorie-rich food availability contribute to this trend.
A new study found that severely obese children are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes, with the risk increasing as obesity severity increases. The study suggests that implementing a more complex classification system could help target interventions and treatments for these high-risk children.
A new study found a direct correlation between severe childhood obesity and increased risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in boys. The study's lead investigator noted that understanding elevated risk in children with more severe obesity can help target testing and interventions to prevent future disease.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School discovered a new pathway that controls human metabolism by prompting adipocytes to store or burn fat. The study identified two master controllers of thermogenesis, IRX3 and IRX5, which turn off fat storage genes and restore energy balance.
A study led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and MIT reveals a genetic circuit controlling fat storage versus burning. The research identifies two key genes, IRX3 and IRX5, which are under the control of the FTO gene variant associated with obesity. Manipulating this pathway may offer a new treatment approach for obesity.
According to UTHealth researchers, children who spend more time with friends tend to engage in physical activity, lowering their obesity rates. Weak school nutrition policies can also be counterproductive if they lead to increased consumption of alternate sugary drinks. Additionally, obesity has immediate consequences for school perfor...
A new systematic review highlights the increased health risks of maternal obesity during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, high blood-pressure, and pre-eclampsia. The study recommends pre-conceptual weight loss for women with obesity to avoid complications, and calls for improved support and education.
A recent study by NYU researchers found that approximately one-third of Chinese Americans incorrectly perceive their body weight. The study explored the accuracy of body weight perception and its impact on obesity among 162 participants, revealing significant differences among participants in terms of gender, age, and education years.
A new study suggests that obese male mice produce higher levels of white blood cells that encourage inflammation, contributing to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, female mice exhibit a mild inflammatory response to obesity, indicating differences in immune system responses between sexes.
Obesity alters splicing patterns of genes TCF7L2 and INSR, leading to impaired insulin action. Weight loss reverses these changes, suggesting a targeted treatment approach for metabolic disorders. Alternative splicing regulates obesity-related gene expression, offering new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.
A growing number of people will be overweight or obese by 2030, with significant health and economic consequences. The UK's obesity problem requires a multi-disciplinary approach, combining scientific research, environmental factors, personal behavior, and policy interventions.
Parental denial of a child's weight issue can hinder efforts to combat childhood obesity. A healthy focus on promoting health and avoiding long-term consequences is recommended instead.
A California study found that school food policies improved childhood obesity prevalence, particularly in affluent neighborhoods. The prevalence of overweight-obesity stabilized among disadvantaged students after policy implementation.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found a complex link between feelings of being unsafe, poverty, and childhood obesity. Youth who experienced chronic poverty were more likely to be overweight despite higher levels of physical activity, suggesting a key role for feeling unsafe in perpetuating obesity.
A new study found that childhood obesity has distinct causes depending on the age of the child. In toddlers, weight gain is largely influenced by parental factors, while adolescents experience weight gain across the entire age group, regardless of parentage. The study suggests that public health strategies may need to be tailored accor...
A recent study found that obesity substantially increases prostate cancer risk in African-American men, while having a moderate effect on non-Hispanic white men. The research suggests that obesity may play an important role in the 'African-American race effect' on prostate cancer disparities.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center suggests that breastfeeding may not be a reliable method for preventing childhood obesity. The research highlights the complex relationship between breastfeeding and obesity, citing factors such as maternal obesity and alterations in digestive system processing.
A new study links long-term exposure to family stressors like family disruption, financial stress, and maternal poor health to increased risk of obesity in adolescents. Findings suggest female and male adolescents respond differently to stress, highlighting the need for tailored social services in obesity prevention programs.
The new guidelines emphasize regular growth monitoring, structured behavioural programs, and parent involvement in addressing childhood obesity. These measures aim to promote healthy growth patterns and lifestyle changes among children and youth.
Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that infant BMI-childhood obesity relationship is strong in African-American children. A better understanding of infancy growth patterns can lead to more effective early efforts at obesity prevention.
Obesity in seniors is associated with increased hospitalizations, emergency room admissions, and outpatient healthcare use. The most severely obese group had 3.4 times the odds of inpatient admission and 1.4 times the odds of ER visit compared to healthy-weight individuals.
Researchers found altered opioid neurotransmission in obese individuals, with reduced opioid receptors in the brain. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of overeating and obesity, but its findings do not indicate whether the changes are a cause or consequence of obesity.
The Lancet's Obesity Series reveals that global progress towards tackling obesity has been 'unacceptably slow', with only one in four countries implementing policies on healthy eating. The series calls for a radical shift in approach, including smart food policies and increased accountability to governments and industries.
A new study published in The Lancet emphasizes the need for improved healthcare systems to combat the growing obesity crisis. The study suggests that current clinical delivery systems are poorly suited for preventing and managing obesity, and that health professionals lack the training and tools needed to treat this condition. The auth...
A leading group of obesity experts argues that obesity is a chronic disease with biological causes that cannot be cured by diet and exercise. Many people with obesity struggle to lose weight and regain it, as their bodies have adapted to conserve energy during times of food scarcity.
Researchers found that maternal glycemia is associated with some childhood anthropometric measures of obesity, such as skinfolds and subscapular/triceps ratio, but not body mass index or insulin resistance. Maternal obesity and Hispanic ethnicity were strongly linked to childhood obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
A groundbreaking study by Australian researchers has discovered that leptin hormone secreted by fat cells elevates blood pressure in obesity. The hormone acts in the brain to increase blood pressure, making it a promising target for treating obesity-induced hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
A Swedish-US research team analyzed over 1.8 million births to find that maternal overweight and obesity increase infant mortality risk, with grade 2-3 obesity linked to more than doubled infant deaths. The study found modest increased risks for overweight mothers and significant increases for those with severe obesity.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health estimates that obesity-attributable absenteeism among US workers costs the nation more than $8 billion annually, with state-level costs ranging from $14.4 million in Wisconsin to $907 million in California.
A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract in children. Being overweight was not linked with an increased risk. The research highlights the importance of addressing obesity as a public health concern.
Obesity affects orthopaedic care, healthcare systems, and individual organs, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and joint injuries. Patients with obesity face higher surgical complication rates, but orthopaedic procedures can minimize pain and improve bone function.
A research team led by NUS scientists has identified several potent inhibitors that selectively target FTO, a gene strongly linked to obesity. The discovery paves the way for the development of novel anti-obesity drugs and treatments.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that childhood obesity rates in Ireland have leveled off, but one in four Irish children remain overweight or obese. The researchers analyzed data from 14 studies conducted between 2002 and 2012 and found that national obesity rates dropped from 7% to 4% after 2008.
A study of over 2,200 adolescents found that those who had at least one family meal a week were less likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Regular family meals are associated with reduced odds of obesity, regardless of race or ethnicity.
A meta-analysis of 112,000 participants found that childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of obesity in adulthood. The study revealed a 34% higher risk among adults who experienced abuse as children, with physical and emotional abuse leading to increased risks of 28% and 36% respectively.
New research found an epigenetic link between a mother's diet and an offspring's risk of future obesity. Excess methylation on the Pomc gene blocks its expression, leading to delayed satiety response and increased food intake.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that a one cent per ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, combined with physical activity programs and an advertising ban, could effectively reduce childhood obesity. The tax is expected to generate significant revenue for additional obesity prevention a...
Research reveals that being obese in one's 30s triples the risk of developing dementia later in life. The study found an incremental decrease in dementia risk with age, suggesting that weight loss or delayed onset of obesity may lower the risk of dementia.
According to a recent editorial, nearly 6% of US children and teens are severely obese, with a significant increase in prevalence and poor long-term prognosis. Experts recommend more comprehensive strategies, including pharmacotherapy, weight loss surgery, and specialty medical weight management programs.
Researchers focus on areas of memory and learning to treat obesity, suggesting a link between the two diseases. The 'vicious cycle' model proposes that overeating leads to brain pathologies, which can weaken control over thoughts and behaviors.
Severe obesity is associated with considerable excess risk for cardiovascular diseases in young Hispanic adults, according to a new study. Young adults with severe obesity are more likely to develop high blood pressure and diabetes, both risk factors for heart disease.
A recent study found that adults with extreme obesity are at a higher risk of dying from cancer and other causes, including heart disease and diabetes. The analysis of pooled data from 20 large studies revealed that people with class III obesity had a significant reduction in life expectancy compared to those with normal weight.
A new study found that children in households with two siblings are more likely to be obese if both siblings are overweight, regardless of the parent's weight. The data also showed that older siblings have a significant impact on younger sibling obesity risk, with boys being more susceptible to their male older siblings.
Researchers found a correlation between affluence and obesity rates, with women typically having higher levels of obesity than men in developing countries. However, in the Western world, male obesity often exceeds female obesity, suggesting an alternative cause may be at play.
A new study found that individuals with a high genetic risk score for obesity who consume more saturated fat have higher Body Mass Index (BMI). Limiting saturated fat may help people with a genetic predisposition to obesity.
A new study suggests that how one compares weight-wise with others in their community impacts life satisfaction. In areas with high obesity rates, being 'normal weight' has little benefit, while the difference between obese and non-obese individuals' life satisfaction is smaller.
Global obesity rates have increased substantially over the last three decades, with nearly 30% of the world's population affected. The study found that children and adolescents are particularly at risk, with rates increasing by nearly 50% between 1980 and 2013.
A study published in Cell Metabolism reveals that variations in the FTO gene indirectly affect the function of the primary cilium, a hair-like appendage on brain and other cells. This abnormality increases body weight by affecting leptin receptors, leading to increased food intake and obesity.
A new study found that physical activity is the most important factor in slowing the progression from metabolically healthy to at-risk obesity in overweight women. Over seven years, researchers identified a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk among those who were physically active.
A comprehensive study found that children who consistently received less than the recommended hours of sleep during infancy and early childhood had increases in both obesity and adiposity at age 7. Lower sleep scores were associated with higher levels of all body measurements reflecting obesity and adiposity, including abdominal fat.
A statistical modeling study projects almost all European countries will experience rising obesity rates by 2030, with the highest prevalence in females in Ireland. The study highlights the need for urgent policies to reverse this trend and prevent premature mortality and economic strain on healthcare systems.
Recent studies published in Childhood Obesity reveal that US childhood obesity rates have not declined as reported by the media, instead showing a concerning trend. A larger cohort of obese 5-year-olds from several years ago is now entering the age of risk for serious metabolic complications.
Researchers link BMI at age 25 to increased risk of class III obesity after age 35. Current weight is a better indicator of cardiovascular and metabolic risk than duration of obesity.
A new study found all classes of obesity in US children have increased over the last 14 years, with more severe forms of obesity rising significantly. The study analyzed data from 26,690 children ages 2-19 and found 17.3% were obese in 2011-2012.
An analysis of childhood obesity estimates lifetime medical costs at $19,000 per child and $12,900 when considering adult weight gain, totaling $14 billion for obese US children aged 10.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that obesity intervention programs lowered children's blood pressure, with healthy eating and physical activity promoting the most effective results. The study suggests that early intervention can help prevent long-term health consequences.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, an Ottawa researcher, has won the International Journal of Obesity (IJO) New Faculty Award for Population Science and Public Health Research. He was recognized for his exceptional research in population health based on innovation and quality of science.
A new study by Rutgers University–Camden professor Naomi Marmorstein found that depression in early adolescence predicts obesity in late adolescence among female participants. Conversely, obesity in late adolescence predicts the onset of depression in early adulthood. The study suggests a reciprocal relationship between the two disorde...
A study of 181 children with obesity aged eight to 17 years old found that up to a third could be classified as 'metabolically healthy,' meaning they're not at risk of developing insulin resistance or other obesity-related diseases. Lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity and diet played a crucial role in their health status.
A recent study discovered that IRX3 controls body mass and regulates body composition, with obesity-associated FTO introns interacting with IRX3. Mice without the IRX3 gene were significantly leaner due to reduced fat and improved glucose processing.