A new study by University of Iowa researchers shows that a natural substance found in apple peel can partially protect mice from obesity and some of its harmful effects. Ursolic acid increases muscle and brown fat in mice on a high-fat diet, leading to increased calorie burning and reduced obesity, pre-diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
A University of Missouri researcher found that childhood obesity is associated with poorer math performance in both boys and girls. Persistent obesity throughout elementary grades can harm children's social and emotional well-being and academic success.
A study by a CCNY-led team found correlations between the spread of obesity and food marketing and distribution patterns. The researchers suggest that collective behavior plays a significant role in the spread of the epidemic, not individual factors such as genetics or lifestyle choices.
Three studies link obesity and depression to excessive daytime sleepiness, with weight loss shown to improve symptoms in those who lost weight. The research highlights the importance of addressing these conditions to prevent related health risks and accidents.
A recent study found that a specific gene linked to fat tissue inflammation may protect against diet-induced obesity-related health problems. The researchers discovered that overexpressing this gene increased fat deposition while suppressing inflammatory responses and improving insulin sensitivity in genetically modified mice.
New strategies targeting pregnancy, infancy, and toddlers are needed to combat rising childhood obesity rates. A community-wide approach that addresses behavioral and environmental factors is proposed to tackle the epidemic.
A Kaiser Permanente study found a strong association between childhood obesity and the development of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, particularly in non-Hispanic white teenage girls. The condition can result in blindness if left untreated, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that variations in certain 'obesity genes' are associated with increased snacking, high-fat foods, and more calories per day. These findings suggest that modifying eating habits may help minimize genetic risk for obesity.
Researchers from Sichuan Agricultural University and BGI reported the atlas of DNA methylomes in porcine adipose and muscle tissues, providing a valuable epigenomic source for obesity prediction and prevention. The study found that different methylated regions in promoters play a more important role in regulating gene expression and ar...
A systems approach to preventing childhood obesity is proposed, beginning in pregnancy and continuing through early life. The strategy combines behavior change interventions with environmental changes to support healthy parents, infants, and toddlers.
The US healthcare system could face a surge in medical expenditures due to rising obesity rates. By 2030, up to 42% of the U.S. population may be obese, with severe obesity rates reaching 11%. To mitigate these costs, experts emphasize the need for effective strategies to prevent obesity.
A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found limited use of family theories in pediatric obesity research, but suggests that increased use could lead to better treatments. The researchers propose a new approach that incorporates the entire family into treatment, rather than just focusing on individual patients.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have defined the structure of the human obesity receptor, a key factor in regulating body fat. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for complications of obesity and anorexia.
A Mayo Clinic study of 813 adults with rheumatoid arthritis found that obesity accounted for 52% of the increase in cases among women from 1985-2007. The study suggests a potential link between excess weight and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found that mice with intestinal bacteria from obese animals gained more weight and became more obese when fed a high-fat diet. The study suggests that specific gut microbiota profiles may promote excess weight gain and influence food intake. The findings offer hope for developing new strategies to prevent and treat obesity.
To meet childhood obesity prevention goals by 2020, US youth must eliminate an average of 64 excess calories per day through decreasing calorie intake or increasing physical activity. This reduction is crucial to prevent more than 20% of young people from becoming obese, up from 16.9% today.
A new study found that neighborhoods with walkable environments and access to healthy food have a significant impact on childhood obesity rates. Children living in these neighborhoods had 59% lower odds of being obese compared to those in less favorable areas.
Researchers have identified two new gene variants linked to an increased risk of common childhood obesity, highlighting a genetic predisposition to the condition. The study analyzed data from over 5,500 cases of childhood obesity and found novel loci associated with the disease.
Research reveals a heightened sensitivity to cheap, high-calorie foods in individuals prone to obesity. Brain imaging studies show that obese individuals exhibit greater brain activation in response to sweet or fatty food cues.
Research suggests that interventions targeting obesity in adolescents should be tailored to gender differences, with exercise and sports benefiting boys and drinking milk predicting healthier weight in girls. Regular physical activity and improved school lunches are also key predictors of obesity.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that maternal obesity may contribute to cognitive impairment in extremely premature babies. The study assessed 921 infants born before 28 weeks of gestation and found associations between maternal obesity, lack of high school education, and pre-term thrombosis with ...
A national evidence-based paradigm for faith-based advocacy to prevent childhood obesity has been developed. The link between advocacy and policy is crucial in promoting healthy lifestyles and routine physical activity among children. The article highlights the importance of faith-based organizations in this campaign.
Research explores effective approaches to using gaming and interactive media for health promotion messages in children, including environment support, after-school programs, nutrition standards, and parent training. The Let's Move! initiative aims to address the social and environmental conditions influencing childhood obesity.
Dr. Melinda Sothern, a national authority on childhood obesity, emphasizes the importance of recess, free outdoor play, and healthy nutrition in preventing obesity. She suggests elevating the Let's Move! campaign into a policy to promote physical fitness and reduce barriers to prevention.
Researchers found that short therapy with Pioglitazone can prevent the long-term effects of maternal obesity on offspring. The study shows a potential role for drugs activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in preventing metabolic syndrome in adult offspring of obese mothers.
Researchers found that obese individuals' brains exhibit altered glucose metabolism in reward regions, leading to increased food cravings. The study suggests the brain plays a crucial role in obesity and weight gain, highlighting potential for new treatments.
Research from the Colorado School of Public Health shows that breastfeeding can lower body mass index for children of diabetic pregnancies, reducing their risk of childhood obesity. Children who were breast-fed had a slower BMI growth as they grew older compared to those who nursed less than six months.
According to the study published in JAMA Network, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among US adults remains at 35.7%, while children and teens show a higher prevalence of obesity, with significant increases in certain demographics, particularly among non-Hispanic black men and Mexican American women.
Maternal obesity is associated with increased inflammatory responses in both mother and child, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This includes an increased risk of preeclampsia, respiratory tract infections, and later health issues such as allergic disease and metabolic dysfunction.
Research reveals obesity is associated with higher prostate cancer screening rates across all races/ethnicities and lower cervical cancer screening rates in white women. The study also found no correlation between weight and breast or colorectal cancer screening rates. Obesity was linked to lower rates of cervical cancer screening, par...
Research has found that obesity is associated with neuronal injury in the hypothalamus, a crucial brain region for regulating body weight. Additionally, turnover of nerve cells in this area is inhibited by obesity, indicating a significant impact on energy balance control.
A study of 26 wealthy nations found that countries with a higher density of fast food restaurants per capita had much higher obesity rates compared to those with lower densities. Obesity rates in the US and Canada were significantly higher than in Japan and Norway, suggesting free market policies may have unintended side effects.
Research found obesity associated with shorter time to recurrence and disease-free survival in early-stage breast cancer. However, treatment with endocrine therapy showed a protective effect against obesity-related poor outcomes.
A new UK website aims to raise awareness about childhood obesity prevention and gather parents' opinions on identifying at-risk babies. Research found that healthcare professionals, particularly GPs, need more training on early signs of obesity and providing advice on feeding habits.
A new review of research into childhood obesity and metabolic disease in adulthood suggests that treating obesity during childhood can remove the risk of lasting harm. However, the study also found that being overweight or obese as a child may actually increase the risk of health problems later in life.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that physical activity can substantially reduce the effect of the FTO gene on obesity risk. The research, which analyzed data from over 218,000 adults, showed that individuals who were physically active had a nearly 30% weaker association with the FTO gene compared to those who were inactive.
Researchers found that specific microRNAs are up-regulated in obese individuals with healthy periodontium and non-obese subjects with periodontal disease. The study suggests microRNA modulation may play a role in modulating inflammatory pathways within periodontal tissues.
A Group Health Research Institute study found that obesity is associated with higher health care costs, but not due to co-occurring depression. Similarly, depression is linked to increased costs, but not because of co-occurring obesity. The study's findings have significant economic implications for the general population.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how leptin-resistance develops in overweight and obese individuals. The study reveals that targeting only one of the negative regulators won't be enough to increase leptin-sensitivity in obesity, suggesting that all three regulators might need to be switched off.
A new study finds that central obesity is a risk factor for asthma in adults, with those who are both centrally obese and overall obese being at highest risk. Researchers followed over 23,000 adults without asthma for 11 years to investigate the link between belly fat and lung disease.
A recent U-M study highlights the need for a shared emphasis on both obesity prevention and treatment strategies to achieve the White House's goal of eliminating childhood obesity. The study concludes that prevention programs alone cannot effectively address the epidemic affecting minority children, who are disproportionately affected.
The global obesity epidemic has grown over four decades, with high-income countries experiencing a rise in the 1970s and 80s. Low-income and middle-income countries are now also affected, particularly women from wealthy urban environments. The authors argue that policy-led solutions, such as government regulations and healthy public se...
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found a direct link between obesity and electrical abnormalities in the heart muscle, leading to atrial fibrillation. Obesity can increase blood pressure and put strain on the heart, increasing the risk of developing this common heart rhythm disorder.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will extend its role as a coordinating hub for a nationwide research consortium studying the link between obesity and cancer. The initiative aims to understand the underlying behavioral causes of obesity and ways to prevent it, particularly among high-risk populations.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that a defect in brain glucose sensing contributes to obesity, while correction of this defect can treat the condition. The researchers discovered a novel role for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in hypothalamic glucose sensing and whole-body energy balance regulation.
A new study finds that type 2 diabetes and obesity independently contribute to higher risks of pregnancy complications. Women with both conditions have poorer outcomes, including preterm birth, blood loss, and prolonged hospital stays.
Research by Craig Gundersen, a University of Illinois economist, finds that strengthening the social safety net can lead to a decrease in childhood obesity. The study suggests that programs like SNAP play a vital role in reducing psychosocial stressors for low-income families.
A recent study of nine-year-old children in Ireland found that overweight youngsters are significantly more prone to being bullied than their slimmer peers. The research also revealed a stark correlation between childhood obesity and an increased risk of chronic illnesses.
Researchers found that reducing TGF-beta protein actions in mice converted white fat into brown fat-like cells with increased mitochondria, leading to calorie burning and reduced obesity. This discovery identifies a potential new approach to treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Childhood obesity is a growing threat to child and adult health, according to former US Surgeon General David Satcher. Dr. Satcher proposes five target areas for investment to improve the health of children and adults, and identifies key factors contributing to childhood obesity.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that news sources shape perceptions of childhood obesity solutions. Television news focuses on individual behavior change, while newspapers emphasize system-level changes like food industry practices and school policies.
Researchers at UTHealth are exploring the link between Adenovirus-36 and obesity, with a focus on firefighters who are more likely to be overweight or obese. The study aims to design health and wellness strategies for this high-risk population.
A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Sheldon H. Jacobson found a strong correlation between the rise in automobile usage and obesity rates in the US. By analyzing data from 1985 to 2007, Jacobson discovered that vehicle use is directly linked to sedentary behavior, which ultimately contributes to obesity.
A new study suggests that limiting prolonged bottle use in children may help prevent obesity. Children who continued to use bottles beyond 24 months were 30% more likely to be obese by age 5.5, even after accounting for other factors.
A study by Arizona State University researchers found that shared ideas about acceptable weight or body size play a minor role in spreading obesity among friends. The team discovered that interventions targeting behaviors, such as changing eating habits, are more effective than those focused on body mass indexes or body sizes.
Penn State's Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Training Program aims to reduce child obesity rates through comprehensive training in ingestive behavior, nutrition education, and research methods. The five-year grant will support nine graduate students and provide on-the-job training in four career areas.
The University of Illinois has established an innovative research-based program, the Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program (I-TOPP), to tackle child obesity prevention. I-TOPP combines a Ph.D. and master's in public health degree to develop novel hypotheses and approaches.
A study of 281 mother/newborn pairs found that maternal obesity is associated with impaired iron status in infants, which could affect brain development. The researchers are investigating why obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of poorer iron status at birth.
Overweight children and young adults are on the rise in Canada, with more than 60% of adults being overweight or obese. Legislative approaches, such as taxing junk food and improving nutritional labeling, are proposed to combat obesity.
Toddlers with insecure attachment patterns have a 30% higher odds for obesity by age 4 ½, according to new research. Securely attached children are more likely to explore their environments freely and adapt to new people, reducing the risk of obesity.