Research on obesity, its causes, and its treatment. Covers GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, diet, metabolic health, treatment guidelines, and obesity in children.
Pennington Biomedical researchers will present scientific findings and participate in expert discussions at ObesityWeek 2026, highlighting advances in obesity science and treatment. The institution will also contribute to educational and early-career programming.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is investigating how a diet high in saturated fats may contribute to tumor growth by weakening the immune response and changing how cancer cells use fats. The study aims to understand the interaction between diet, obesity, immune function, and tumor metabolism in pancreatic cancer.
A new diagnostic definition of obesity outperforms BMI in identifying differences in health and prognosis, including mortality risk. The new definition distinguishes between clinical and pre-clinical obesity based on its impact on organ function and daily activities.
Experts warn that destigmatizing obesity campaigns by pharmaceutical companies, like Eli Lilly's
A recent study found that only 1% of eligible adolescents underwent bariatric surgery, while 4.6% received GLP-1 prescriptions. The study suggests that access to these treatments may be limited for teens who qualify.
Gut microbes play a crucial role in shaping fat tissue expansion through Wnt signaling, a developmental pathway. The review highlights the intersection of gut microbial metabolites, including bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and amino-acid metabolites, with Wnt signaling. This signaling hub influences both progenitor cells and matu...
Phase 3 clinical trials involving over 1,000 participants found that those taking retatrutide, a new experimental weight-loss injectable drug, lost about a quarter of their body weight on average and experienced significant pain relief. The drug also showed benefits in reducing blood pressure, lipid levels, and systemic inflammation.
The American Heart Association Center for the Brain will advance science and deepen understanding of the heart-brain connection, helping people live longer, healthier lives. The initiative aims to maximize brain health throughout life by addressing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Researchers review evidence on obesity drugs, finding potential benefits for brain function, especially for those with type 2 diabetes or obesity. They call for clinical trials to track cognitive abilities and emphasize the importance of monitoring older patients.
Scientists have found that certain immune cells in fat tissue may protect against obesity-related inflammation in females, but contribute to harmful metabolic changes in males. The study identified six distinct eosinophil populations in adipose tissue, each with different gene-expression patterns and potential functions.
Researchers emphasize the need to better understand fat-tissue biology and develop treatments with fewer unwanted effects. GLP-1-based drugs show promise in addressing obesity and related conditions, but their access globally remains a challenge.
A University at Buffalo study, funded by the NIH, aims to assess the effectiveness of preloading online grocery carts with healthy ingredients on family diets and obesity prevention. The study, which began with a 4-week pilot, showed that making healthy choices easier can lead to more nutritious purchases.
A study found that adults with a high proportion of ultra-processed foods in their diet had poorer nutritional content and a higher risk of overweight and obesity. In contrast, young children's iron and vitamin E intake was higher among those with a high consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Researchers discovered sex differences in how mice brain adapts to overeating on high-fat diets, with females showing less susceptibility to obesity. The study found that female mice exhibit increased excitability in key neurons, leading to weight loss, whereas male mice show increased excitability, leading to weight gain.
A multicenter study of 12,000+ patients and 62,000 blastocysts found no association between maternal obesity and embryonic aneuploidy following IVF, contrary to previous research. Obesity was not linked to an increased risk of no euploid embryos after the first IVF cycle with PGT-A.
Dr. Petter Bjornstad will lead Pennington Biomedical Research Center in advancing research in metabolic disease, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of Louisiana residents. He brings exceptional expertise in diabetes and kidney disease, with a vision to translate world-class science into better health outcomes.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has released a new framework to assist clinicians in safely prescribing obesity medications in older adults. The framework considers age-related factors such as sarcopenia and frailty, risk of lean muscle loss, malnutrition, and dehydration.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that a high-fat diet for just a few days can cause a significant immune response, even after returning to a low-fat diet. The study showed that rapid-response immune cells were activated, leaving the tissue primed for the next time, and that diet can have a rapid impact on immune health. The findin...
Chronic kidney disease in China has seen rising prevalence, with 156 million people affected in 2023, largely driven by type-2 diabetes and hypertension, with obesity remaining a significant risk factor, and a disparity between men and women in disease burden
Researchers found that mild obesity may double the odds of vital organ failure and that patients with obesity have more than three times the odds of developing severe acute pancreatitis. Experts emphasize that even gradual weight loss can reduce the odds of severe complications.
Children who consume more ultra-processed foods show stronger brain responses to appetizing foods, linked to increased body fat. Stronger responses in the brain's reward network are associated with greater increases in body fat over one year.
Researchers found that adding emotion management skills to family-based weight treatment helped teens regain less weight and report less emotional eating. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that addressing emotional factors can make behavioral treatment more durable.
The study analyzed data from 4,258,033 adults and found that different obesity indices, such as the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), can identify risks for major chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes more accurately than BMI alone. However, these measures have limited abi...
A new study found no significant differences in cardiometabolic health between people with distinct dietary patterns before bariatric surgery. Despite differences in nutrient intake, both groups had similar health markers, suggesting that a Western dietary pattern may be a bigger concern.
Researchers found a significant association between abdominal fat and lung cancer risk, suggesting that obesity may weaken immune surveillance. Preclinical models also showed that obesity suppresses immune pathways, allowing cancer cells to escape immune detection.
A new study from the Bogalusa Heart Study has found a significant association between cumulative clinical obesity and white matter changes in the brain by midlife. Researchers analyzed data from 190 participants and found that those with greater exposure to clinical obesity had worse brain health in midlife.
A pilot randomized trial found that structured support, such as a digital wellness application or medically tailored meals, can attenuate early weight gain after GLP-1 cessation. Participants who received structured support experienced less weight gain over 4 months compared to those who received usual care.
A new global definition of clinical obesity classifies far fewer children as obese, but prevalence increases with age, affecting over half of adults aged 65-74. The study suggests the new definition will help clinicians make more informed decisions about obesity assessment and treatment.
Research suggests that people with dementia who are overweight or obese at diagnosis tend to live longer, pointing to the importance of nutrition in the degenerative disease. Studies adjusting for biases found no significant contribution to the observed associations between weight status and mortality.
A new study finds that individuals with dementia who are overweight or obese tend to live longer than those in a normal weight range. The researchers suggest that nutrition may play a key role in the health and survival of people with dementia, pointing to potential benefits of excess weight in this context.
A team of researchers awarded a $4 million grant to study genetic markers contributing to weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications. The study aims to uncover biological pathways and potential new drug targets to prevent weight rebound and preserve long-term health benefits.
The study found a 24-fold increase in new GLP-1 prescriptions among new mothers, with women with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes showing the highest rates. Prescribing increased fastest among those diagnosed as obese or overweight before pregnancy.
Multimodal management of obesity extends beyond pharmacological treatment to screening, early management, and intensive behavioral therapy. A comprehensive approach is necessary to address obesity and comorbidities effectively in the GLP-1 therapy era.
The European Society of Endocrinology is launching a new Obesity and Endocrinology School in 2027 to support early-career clinicians in obesity research and clinical practice. The School will cover the latest developments in obesity, including genetics, adipose tissue biology, and treatments.
CBL-514 selectively induces apoptosis of fat cells, reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat volume by 10.45% and 22.21% respectively in phase 2 clinical trials. The drug was well-tolerated with mostly mild-to-moderate injection-site reactions.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has renewed its $53 million commitment to the Broad Institute's Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease. This funding will accelerate research into the genetic and biological mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes and obesity, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. The center will expand on it...
The phase 2b study evaluates the safety and efficacy of eloralintide in combination with tirzepatide, resulting in substantial weight loss and improvements in blood sugar control. The study demonstrated substantial weight loss and reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) across different dosing combinations.
Insilico Medicine nominates ISM1354, a novel small molecule GIPR antagonist, with robust weight-loss efficacy and improved pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. ISM1354 demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with minimal effects on cell viability and a lower potential hepatotoxicity risk.
Researchers found trevogrumab significantly reduced lean mass loss by 50% when used with semaglutide. Participants who received trevogrumab experienced a mean increase in lean mass of +0.4%, while those who received placebo experienced a mean decrease of -2.4%.
Retatrutide demonstrates substantial weight loss and improved blood sugar control in adults with overweight and type 2 diabetes, with 47% of participants losing at least 20% of their starting weight. The treatment also improves cardiometabolic risk factors and reduces inflammation.
A systematic review of 43,000 women with diabetes exposed to GLP-1 RAs found no significant associations with preterm birth, stillbirth, or neonatal death, but evidence gaps remain for early pregnancy loss and postpartum use. Further research is needed to address these gaps and provide clearer evidence for women with diabetes
Women are more likely to experience weight loss and improved blood sugar control with GLP-1 RAs, but face higher rates of side effects and unequal access to treatment worldwide. Extensive research is needed to address these disparities and optimize treatment for women in various domains.
Petrelintide, an amylin-based obesity drug, shows significant weight loss of over 10% in a phase 2 trial, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to GLP-1 drugs. The study also reveals improvements in key cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and lipid parameters.
A Danish study suggests that GLP-1 drugs could protect heart health in millions of people with overweight. The research found that individuals with a BMI of 25-26.9 and high remnant cholesterol and/or low-grade inflammation have a similar risk of coronary heart disease as those eligible for GLP-1 RAs for weight loss.
A new post-hoc analysis of the ATTAIN-1 and -2 studies found significant and similar weight reductions for women of different menopausal status, with up to 14% body weight loss and 12.5cm waist circumference reduction
Researchers found substitution effects between obesity-labeled and diabetes-labeled GLP-1 receptor agonists, which vary by state coverage policies. The study suggests that these effects could impact coverage decisions for obesity treatment in Medicaid.
Researchers at MIT identified a cellular pathway necessary for colorectal cancer metastasis, controlled by protein YAP1, which promotes cell proliferation and migration. A high-fat diet triggers activation of this pathway, and drugs blocking ceramide production may help prevent metastasis.
A new study suggests that semaglutide reduces heart disease risk beyond just weight loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. The study analyzed data from a clinical trial of semaglutide, which found that patients taking the drug had a 20% lower risk of heart disease, but only half of this reduction could be explained by changes in kno...
Research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that mothers with poor sleep quality in late pregnancy had babies with lower weight in the first 6 months of life, but higher weight after age 1-2 years. This effect was strongest in male infants and in babies born at term.
A new study from Florida International University found that preschoolers with a higher body mass index (BMI) showed differences in brain regions involved in reward, taste, and hunger. The study suggests that the relationship between obesity risk and brain development may begin years earlier than previously thought.
Researchers at the University of Basel found that a drug called fenoterol increases energy expenditure in humans without activating brown fat. This suggests that a more complex regulation of brown fat in humans may be at play, and could have implications for future obesity treatments.
A study found that adolescents with a high body mass index may age biologically faster, increasing their risk of developing obesity-related diseases and premature death. The study's findings suggest a link between genetic predisposition to high BMI and accelerated biological aging.
Dr. Mark Walker led a seminar on pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects 2-4% of pregnancies and can be life-threatening. The seminar reviews current knowledge, strategies for prevention, and highlights a critical global health challenge, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 87 clinical trials found that consuming four to six servings of wholegrain per day can lower cardiovascular risk factors, including body weight, waist circumference, and total cholesterol levels. Benefits were most pronounced at intakes of 60 to 100 grams per day.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that people with excessive visceral fat around their organs are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultrafine particulate air pollution. Using HEPA filters can help mitigate this risk, especially for those with high waist circumference.
BioLife has developed a novel oral peptide delivery technology that uses a dissolvable effervescent tablet format to protect peptide medicines during digestion. Preclinical studies have demonstrated measurable systemic semaglutide exposure following oral administration, providing in vivo proof of concept.
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...
A new preclinical study found that glucocorticoid-rhythm disruption concentrates insulin resistance in skeletal muscle while preserving key insulin responses in fat tissue and liver, leading to a different type of obesity. This allows fat tissue to continue storing lipids, while the liver remains largely protected from fat accumulation.
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.
Weight loss injections can impact reproductive health, and a new study provides evidence-based guidelines for families and health professionals. The guidelines recommend that incretin-based medication therapy should not be deliberately continued throughout pregnancy, but women who used the injections without realizing they were pregnan...