A recent UNC-Chapel Hill study reveals that individuals with obesity are at a greatly increased risk for hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and death from COVID-19. Obesity is associated with numerous underlying health conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes, which can impair immune function.
A new study published in Obesity found that an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) focused on weight loss lowered the incidence of obesity-related cancers in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. The ILI reduced cancer incidence by 16% compared to a Diabetes Support and Education comparison group.
Researchers found a statistically significant relationship between morbid obesity and COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US. Morbid obesity rates are positively correlated with COVID-19 death rates, explaining 9% of the variation.
The new clinical practice guideline published in CMAJ recommends a holistic approach to obesity management, focusing on root causes and patient-centered outcomes. The guideline targets primary health care professionals, policy-makers, and people living with obesity.
A recent study published in Obesity found that children who are relatively tall for their age have a significantly higher risk of developing obesity. The study examined the health records of over 2.8 million children and found that taller individuals were more likely to have a higher body mass index than shorter children.
Scientists have identified a microRNA in obese mouse mothers that increases the odds of liver cancer in their offspring and throughout future generations. The study found that maternal obesity causes susceptibility to liver cancer in offspring, with the severity increasing over generations.
A new Swedish study found no correlation between obesity and the distance to fast food restaurants or gyms, contradicting previous research. The study also showed a significant association between neighborhood deprivation and obesity.
Very young children exposed to antibiotics from birth to 12 months are at higher risk of childhood obesity and increased adiposity. The study found that early life antibiotic exposure disrupts gut microbiota development, leading to weight gain and obesity.
Analysis of data from 147 countries found a strong association between rising incomes and increasing obesity rates, with an average increase in obesity rates for every 1% rise in GDP per capita. The study suggests that policy initiatives may be necessary to combat obesity in low- and middle-income countries undergoing income growth.
A survey of resident physicians found that most felt uncomfortable managing obesity despite its increasing prevalence. The study highlights the need for improved education in obesity management to improve patient care.
A new study links pregnant women's PFAS exposure to their granddaughters' increased obesity risk. The research found that higher levels of PFAS in grandmothers were associated with a greater risk of obesity in granddaughters, even when controlling for other factors.
Two new studies link childhood obesity to a higher risk of mortality in early adulthood, as well as increased rates of anxiety and depression. The research highlights the need for specific prevention tools and long-term treatment to address these risks.
A new study reveals that maternal obesity triggers cellular stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, disrupting hypothalamic development and leading to offspring obesity. Bile acid treatment mitigates these changes, reversing obesity-related metabolic issues in mice offspring.
Obesity increases levels of peroxynitrite-making enzymes in tiny cell membranes, silencing TRPV4 and lowering calcium entry. This leads to increased blood pressure. Targeting peroxynitrite or enzymes that make it may be an effective way to treat high blood pressure in obesity.
A molecular marker in saliva is associated with childhood obesity emergence in preschool-aged Hispanic children. Salivary methylation of the NRF1 gene predicted childhood obesity three years later, even after controlling for maternal BMI and behavioral factors.
A new study by the University of Southampton found that older women with obesity are at a higher risk of prolonged sickness absence or losing their jobs due to health reasons. Women with severe obesity were almost three times as likely to lose their job because of their health.
A recent survey-based study of health professionals from 68 countries found that inadequate treatment services for obesity are prevalent globally. Lack of clear care pathways, high costs, and stigma are among the factors attributed to the shortage of effective treatments.
A leading health psychologist argues that negative attitudes towards weight gain affect patient treatment quality. Research shows that obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes, and using positive language can help promote understanding.
Over 100 medical and scientific organisations pledge to end weight stigma, citing evidence that stigma causes physical and psychological harm. The group calls for policies to prevent weight-based discrimination in healthcare, education, and the workplace.
A recent study published in Obesity Reviews reveals that obesity can lead to premature aging, causing DNA damage, weakened immune systems, and increased risk of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's. Researchers argue that obesity should be considered a form of premature aging.
A new disease classification system for obesity is proposed by researchers, replacing the current BMI-based diagnosis. The ABCD system has four domains: pathophysiology, body mass index classification, complications, and complication severity. This new framework aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of obesity as a chronic disease.
The Obesity Society's latest research explores the pathophysiology of obesity, therapeutic goals, and differential risk. A new coding system is proposed to address suboptimal efforts in prevention and treatment, offering a personalized approach to care.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that bariatric surgery is as effective for individuals who developed obesity early in life as it is for those who developed it later. The study found no difference in weight loss or obesity-related complications between the two groups.
The 2020 OMA Obesity Algorithm offers updated resources for clinicians, including clickable links to podcasts and lectures by obesity experts. The Algorithm is based on scientific evidence and aims to improve patient outcomes through individualized treatment approaches.
Blocking a cellular receptor called AHR prevents and reverses obesity in mice by inhibiting key genes involved in fat metabolism. Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center found that the drug NF, which blocks AHR, can not only prevent but also reverse obesity in study mice.
Researchers have discovered that blocking the iRhom2 protein increases energy consumption in fat depots, protecting against fat accumulation and inflammation. The study found no deleterious side effects, suggesting iRhom2 blocking may be a promising treatment for obesity.
A study examining childhood weight and obesity in adolescence found that excess weight at age 3 was associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese at age 15. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity in mothers was also a significant predictor of this outcome.
People with obesity produce more carbon dioxide due to higher metabolism and food consumption, contributing to 1.6% of global man-made emissions. Managing obesity can favorably affect the environment, with potential implications for healthcare and environmental policies.
Research suggests that longer exposure to obesity and earlier development of obesity are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Women who experienced rapid weight gain from young adulthood had a higher risk of developing the disease compared to those who remained stable.
By 2030, nearly half of US adults are expected to have obesity, and more than a quarter will have severe obesity. The study predicts that several states will have obesity rates close to 60%, with severe obesity becoming the most common BMI category among low-income adults.
A new study found that over 24 routine blood tests are affected by childhood obesity, including liver function tests and inflammation markers. This discovery could help doctors better interpret test results and provide more accurate diagnoses.
A study of 1,480 children found that limited TV time and low ultra-processed food consumption are associated with lower obesity risks. High physical activity, sleep duration, and plant-based food consumption also contribute to a reduced likelihood of developing overweight or obesity.
Researchers discovered that an extract from ginseng can induce Enterococcus faecalis, which produces myristoleic acid to activate brown adipose tissue and reduce adiposity. Increasing BAT activity could be a novel therapeutic approach for obesity and related diseases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago report that robotic kidney transplants produce similar one- and three-year patient survival rates as those seen among nonobese patients. The study included over 230 robotic-assisted kidney transplants in patients with obesity, achieving dramatic reductions in post-surgery wound infections.
A University at Buffalo study found that mothers' warmth and sensitivity during active play, not feeding interactions, were associated with reduced obesity risk from infancy to second grade. The research focused on families with low socioeconomic status and prenatal exposure to substances like cigarettes and cocaine.
Late-stage clinical studies of new anti-obesity medications will be presented during a special research forum at the 37th Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society. Promising targets and medications in preclinical development will also be discussed.
A recent study published by Wake Forest Baptist Health suggests that the microbes living in our gut play a key role in childhood obesity. The review of existing studies reveals how a mother's health, diet, exercise level, and birth method can affect the risk of obesity in her children.
A recent study found that people with obesity share similar personality profiles with those with addictive behaviors, including uncontrolled eating. This suggests that obesity treatments may benefit from adopting methods used in addiction recovery to improve self-control.
China's obesity rates have nearly tripled over the past decade, reaching 14% for general obesity and 32.4% for abdominal obesity among adults. A cluster of high obesity prevalence was identified in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this growing health concern.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends increased access to metabolic and bariatric surgery for children and adolescents with severe obesity, citing the growing public health crisis. Studies show that surgery is safe and effective, but underutilized due to barriers such as insurance coverage and limited centers.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in women and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease in men. The researchers analyzed data from over 423,000 participants and identified distinct patterns of disease association for each sex.
A multi-national study reveals that children of normal weight who later become severely obese are often girls or from black populations, highlighting the need for tailored monitoring and prevention efforts. The study provides a predictive tool for doctors to focus intervention on high-risk individuals.
Researchers found that overweight individuals had the lowest mortality risk among those with established heart failure, contrary to previous expectations. The 'obesity paradox' suggests that obese patients may tolerate disease-modifying and prognostic medications better than non-obese patients.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found that asthma status reversed the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and obesity in African American adolescent females. The study analyzed data from 129 participants and found that those with asthma were less likely to be obese compared to those without asthma.
A new tool kit provides real-world guidelines for counseling weight loss in primary care settings, offering a 21-session treatment manual modeled on the schedule of visits recommended by CMS. This approach has shown favorable weight losses of 5.4% at 6 months and 6.1% at 1 year.
The Obesity Society has released a new evidence-based treatment protocol for intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) to treat obesity in primary care settings. The MODEL-IBT program provides 14 visits in the first 24 weeks, with 7 additional monthly visits through week 52.
A recent study published in Economics and Human Biology suggests that the current obesity epidemic in adults may have been caused by excessive sugar consumption in childhood. The researchers modeled the increase in US adult obesity rates since the 1990s as a legacy of increased excess sugar consumption measured among children in the 19...
Research found that genetic modifications reducing leptin levels were more common in formula-fed babies, associated with higher body weight and increased risk of obesity. Breastfed infants had lower rates of these modifications, suggesting epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in childhood obesity development.
A new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found a strong association between obesity and chronic diarrhea, independent of dietary, lifestyle, or medical factors. Obesity was 60% more likely to cause chronic diarrhea compared to normal weight individuals.
A new gene therapy has been developed to specifically reduce fat tissue and reverse obesity-related metabolic disease in obese mice by targeting a fatty acid metabolism gene. The therapy resulted in a 20% reduction of body weight and improved insulin resistance and inflammation after just six weeks of treatment.
A large-scale study has identified a robust new signal and fine-mapped previously reported genetic variants associated with childhood obesity. The findings suggest that genetic influences on obesity operate across the lifespan and provide valuable insights into potential treatments.
Researchers found that frequent interruptions to sitting time with simple resistance activities lowered postprandial insulin responses and insulin:glucose in adults with overweight or obesity. An agent-based model also showed community diffusion strategies as key drivers of pediatric programs for childhood obesity prevention.
A proof of concept study uses an 'obesity simulation suit' to teach medical students about obesity and uncover their prejudices. The results show that nearly two-thirds of medical students found the suit realistic, but also harbored more negative attitudes towards obesity than teachers or patients.
A study of 18,424 Han Chinese adults found that regular jogging and other exercises like mountain climbing and yoga reduce BMI in individuals predisposed to obesity. These findings suggest that genetics are not destiny and that exercise can help mitigate genetic effects on obesity.
A new study found that people with obesity experience higher levels of initial taste perception and greater satisfaction from food compared to those with normal weight. This difference in taste perception may lead to increased food consumption among individuals with obesity, contributing to their higher caloric intake.
A study of nearly 157,000 postmenopausal women found those with normal weight and high abdominal fat had a higher risk of death compared to their counterparts with no central obesity. The findings highlight the importance of considering body shape and fat distribution in addition to BMI for obesity prevention.
Obesity experts argue that it should be recognized as a chronic disease due to its strong biological influence and severe complications. They believe this approach can help reduce stigma and discrimination, but critics caution that labeling obesity as a disease may not lead to better outcomes for individuals or society.
A recent study published in Pediatric Obesity found that Leeds, England has bucked the global trend by reducing childhood obesity by 6.4%. The decline coincided with a strategy targeting families with preschool children in poor areas, utilizing the Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) intervention program.
A new clinical trial will test the effects of the anti-obesity drug setmelanotide on participants with Bardet-Biedl syndrome or Alström syndrome, two rare genetic disorders that include obesity as a symptom. The trial aims to assess the drug's ability to lead to significant weight loss in these individuals.
Researchers found that mice lacking group-2 innate lymphoid cells in the small intestine prevented obesity after eating a high-fat diet. Conversely, reintroducing these cells led to obesity symptoms. The study suggests targeting small intestine ILC2s could be an effective obesity treatment approach.