The UK faces a growing obesity crisis with alarming statistics showing a 30-50% increase in obesity rates over the past decade. Experts call for a comprehensive approach to tackle the epidemic, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, and investing in meaningful interventions.
Research suggests viruses like Human Ad-36 may play a role in causing obesity in humans, with evidence showing weight gain and fat storage in infected animals. Studies also found connections between viral infections and obesity in human subjects, including exposure to the Ad-36 virus.
The university's Task Force for Obesity Research will tackle key molecular pathways, develop new approaches to prevent obesity and treat associated metabolic complications. Researchers will use data from the Dallas Heart Study and provide interdisciplinary training for postdoctoral fellows.
Recent symposium discussions highlighted the brain's role in initiating and regulating obesity, as well as its response to nutrient abundance. Research suggests impaired brain function may contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, fueling obesity and type 2 diabetes development.
Researchers found a strong correlation between median home prices and local obesity rates, with 2% drop for every $100,000 increase. The study also revealed six-fold disparities in obesity rates across the Seattle metropolitan area, with disadvantaged areas affected the most.
A new study suggests that infection with human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) may contribute to the development of obesity in some individuals. The virus transforms adult stem cells into fat cells, leading to increased fat accumulation.
Mayo Clinic physicians found that obese patients who received an obesity diagnosis were more likely to form a weight loss management plan than those without a diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of proactive discussion between physicians and patients about obesity, a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
A new NIH-supported study shows that obesity spreads within social networks, with closer connections increasing the influence on developing obesity. The study analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study, finding that a person's chance of becoming obese increased by 57% if they had a close friend who became obese.
A genetic metabolic defect in the liver can lead to obesity in some individuals, a study published in Metabolism reveals. The defect impairs the body's ability to burn fat, leading to increased hunger and overeating.
The study found that 75 percent of US adults will be overweight by 2015, with minority groups and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds facing the greatest disparities. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the growing obesity crisis in the United States.
Researchers found that mice without CD38 were protected from high-fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. The study suggests that a CD38 deficiency has a protective effect against obesity, highlighting the importance of genes in regulating body weight.
Researchers have created a genetic model of obesity in zebrafish, which could lead to the development of new drugs to help people lose weight and keep it off. The study uses a receptor blockage mechanism that is similar to what causes severe obesity in humans.
A Stanford study found that macrophages, known as troublemakers in obesity, can also play a beneficial role in metabolism. The researchers identified a molecular switch that can shift the cells into the more desirable mode, which could help block insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes.
The AGA Institute's Obesity Task Force Report highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing obesity, considering its impact on healthcare budgets and societal practices. The report emphasizes the role of gastroenterology in treating obesity, with novel therapies and policies being developed.
New research questions the effectiveness of routine screening for overweight and obese schoolchildren, citing limited evidence that preventive approaches or current treatments drive down long-term obesity rates. Instead, weight monitoring is seen as useful for gathering information on obesity trends and informing resource allocation.
A new study found that mothers' early menarche is associated with their children's fast growth tempo, leading to taller childhood stature but potentially shorter adult height. This pattern of rapid growth increases the risk of childhood-onset obesity.
The 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on managing and preventing obesity in adults and children provide a multifaceted approach to weight management. Key findings include the importance of physical activity strategies, behavior modification counseling, and public policy initiatives.
A nationwide study found that obese children benefited from attending school, with their rate of BMI gain reduced the most. Schools seem to help limit the spread of obesity due to their structured environment, restricting access to food and promoting healthier choices.
According to a University of Missouri-Columbia scientist, environmental chemicals can alter fetal gene function, predisposing babies to obesity and disease. This 'thrifty phenotype' is programmed for starvation but becomes detrimental in modern environments with plenty of food.
A Finnish twin study reveals that acquired obesity is associated with deleterious alterations in lipid metabolism, including increased lysophosphatidylcholines and decreased ether phospholipids. The study also found a link between the obese twins' serum lipidomic profile and whole body insulin resistance.
A study shows that SH2B1 in the brain regulates body weight and fat content, implicating it as a potential target for treating obesity and type II diabetes. Additionally, researchers have found that autophagy represents a survival mechanism for tumor cells treated with agents that initiate tumor cell death.
Researchers found that replacing SH2B1 only in the brain of mice lacking it prevents obesity and diabetes. The study implicates SH2B1 as a potential target for treating obesity and type II diabetes.
A new study by University of Florida researchers links morbid obesity in toddlers to lower IQ scores and cognitive delays. The study found that children with early-onset morbid obesity had an average IQ score of 78, compared to a normal range of 106 for their siblings.
A multi-year study by Texas A&M researchers found that the amount and quality of time parents spend with their children has a direct effect on children's rates of obesity. Mothers' time with children was more strongly linked to lower obesity risks, while fathers' time was associated with higher risks for older children.
A study found that extreme obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol in women. Women with extreme obesity were more likely to die over the average 7-year follow-up period than those in other weight categories.
A recent US study found that women with obesity have a significantly higher risk of death compared to those with normal weight. The study, which analyzed data from 90,185 women over seven years, showed that the risk of death increases substantially with increasing weight categories.
A new study found that certain characteristics of rural neighborhoods, such as lack of sidewalks and safety concerns, are strongly related to obesity rates. Altering the neighborhood environment to promote physical activity may help reduce obesity on a population level.
A study of 873 prostate cancer patients found that obesity increased risk of biochemical and clinical failure after radiation therapy. Men who were moderately or severely obese were at double the risk for biochemical failure, highlighting a link between obesity and prostate cancer progression.
A study by Saint Louis University found obesity rates were lower in Western European countries compared to Central and Eastern Europe, linked to political changes and environmental factors.
Obesity disrupts hormone signaling pathways and leads to metabolic changes that worsen liver disease. Researchers recommend weight loss, insulin-sensitizing drugs, or increased dosages of combination therapy to improve treatment outcomes for hepatitis C patients.
A cultural approach is essential in tackling obesity, with women generally basing their ideal weight on cultural criteria. Obesity is defined in positive terms by Black Americans, relating it to attractiveness, while White women define it negatively, associating it with unattractive and socially undesirable body image.
The Lancet emphasizes the need for strong governmental leadership to address the obesity epidemic, with a focus on production of cheap healthy foods, urban planning, education, and a global code to promote only healthy food and drink. Effective policy changes are crucial to reduce obesity and curb the epidemic.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that people in the US tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height, leading to inaccurate obesity rates. The research suggests that Southern states have the highest levels of obesity, with Texas and Mississippi topping the list for men and women.
A Yale University review of key papers found that Black American women define obesity positively, relating it to attractiveness and self-esteem, while White American women view it negatively, associating it with unattractiveness and decreased self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to address...
A new study by Dr. Greg Steinberg reveals that CNTF activates skeletal muscle AMP kinase, increasing fat metabolism and reducing the risk of metabolic abnormalities associated with excess weight. This finding opens the door to new strategies for obesity treatment.
The prevalence of overweight children and adolescents in the US has doubled since 1980, while obesity rates have tripled. In 2003-2004, 17.1% of children were overweight and 32.2% of adults were obese. Significant increases were seen among males, with a rise in extreme obesity among women
The gift will support a scholarship fund and establish an endowment for a new professorship in obesity-related research, with the goal of addressing childhood obesity in urban poor and minority communities. The initiative will also test innovative after-school programs like HSPH's Planet Health curriculum.
Researchers argue that targeting childhood obesity prevention is crucial in reducing adult obesity and associated chronic disease. Interventions during critical periods like the perinatal period and puberty/adolescence could have long-term effects.
A new study by Leah D. Whigham and colleagues found that the human adenovirus Ad-37 causes obesity in chickens, while other viruses like Ad-36 and Ad-5 have been linked to human obesity. More research is needed to determine if these viruses contribute to human obesity.
The NIH supports expansive basic and clinical research portfolios on obesity and type 2 diabetes, including genetic studies, nuclear receptors, and lifestyle interventions. Epidemiological studies provide insights into risk factors and inform future clinical endeavors.
Two studies on obesity pharmacotherapy were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, exploring the efficacy of lifestyle modification and pharmacological interventions. Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of the NIDDK's Obesity and Eating Disorders Program, is available to comment on these findings.
The USC TREC Center will investigate how to prevent cancer by controlling obesity in children and adolescents, with a focus on high-risk ethnic groups.
The Lancet seminar highlights the need for collaboration between nursing, dietetic, and physical-activity experts to develop novel ways to tackle obesity. The medical profession is waking up to the political and industrial challenges of obesity, but more needs to be done to address its management and prevention.
Australia's Director of Obesity Research highlights lack of access to life-saving bariatric surgery for those who need it most. Over 2.6 million Australians struggle with obesity, a growing public health crisis requiring urgent attention and action from hospitals and governments.
A study of over 33,000 children's doctor visits found that only 0.1% were diagnosed with obesity during well-child visits, despite the national rate being 13-15%. When doctors did diagnose obesity, they were more likely to discuss diet and exercise.
The Government of Canada has invested $2.8 million to fund 13 health research projects on childhood obesity, which affects 26% of Canadian children aged 2-17. The projects will focus on creating healthy, active schools and developing programs to tackle the issue.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that baby boomers' obesity rates grew substantially compared to previous generations, leading to a surge in arthritis cases attributed to obesity. The researchers suggest that public health strategies could have a major impact on the lives of aging baby-boomers.
Despite conflicting studies on obesity, most Americans believe it remains a serious public health issue. Approximately 75% of Americans rate obesity as extremely or very serious, and the majority think experts have accurately portrayed its health risks. However, there is mixed trust in scientific experts' advice on weight control.
A study of over 2,200 US girls found that decreased physical activity was the main reason for weight gain and obesity. Increasing physical activity by 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week could potentially prevent weight gain and reduce obesity risk during adolescence.
A study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that premature leptin surge in newborn mice of underfed mothers leads to remodeling of key brain circuits contributing to obesity later in life. The researchers found that the early leptin surge alone causes accelerated weight gain.
The study found that obesity prevalence increased by 276% in the highest income group, compared to 144% in lower-income groups. Obesity rates are now similar across all income categories, with the lowest and highest groups experiencing rapid increases.
A recent international study found that Canadian youth were among the heaviest in the world, ranking 4th for obesity and 5th for overweight. Sedentary behavior was strongly correlated with being overweight, while candy consumption surprisingly showed a decrease in likelihood of being overweight.
A Umeå research team has made a breakthrough in understanding how obesity causes diabetes, fatty liver, and blood-fat disturbances. The study found that mice lacking a specific receptor, GPR40, are protected from these complications when fed a calorie-rich diet.
Researchers found a unique organization of inputs on hypocretin neurons in mice, where excitatory nerve junctions outnumber inhibitory contacts by almost 10 fold. Stressors like fasting excite these neurons, leading to insomnia and associated metabolic disturbances, including obesity.
The prevalence of child obesity will continue to rise, affecting ever-younger age groups and minority groups hardest. The long-term consequences of childhood obesity have yet to be seen, with potential devastating effects on public health.
African-American stroke survivors with obesity have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The study found that nearly all patients were overweight or obese, with diabetes increasing with BMI, and that class three obesity significantly increases the risk of recurrent stroke.
The Endocrine Society recommends classifying childhood obesity as a legitimate disease to encourage public funding and insurer reimbursement for treatment programs. This classification aims to prevent and treat obesity in children, reducing serious health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders.
Researchers genetically altered mice to resist obesity but still develop early signs of diabetes, revealing the complex network of factors leading from obesity to diabetes. By applying a drug treatment, they increased insulin sensitivity, a primary goal of diabetes treatment.
Researchers found that apocynin reduced ROS production in fat cells, restored adipocytokine production, and improved diabetes. Accumulated fatty tissue is a major source of ROS in obesity, acting as an early trigger of metabolic syndrome.
The study found that immigrants living in the US for over 15 years have a higher BMI and obesity rate compared to those living less than 1 year. Early clinician intervention on diet and physical activity may help prevent weight gain and obesity-related chronic illnesses among immigrant populations.