Articles tagged with Obesity
A UK study found that individuals who completed an intensive, very low calorie diet (VLCD) program maintained a significant weight loss of 23% or more for over five years. This is higher than the general rate of weight loss with modest programs, which averages 9%.
A 20-year study found that consuming high amounts of sodium increases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in overweight individuals. The study also showed an increased risk of stroke death from higher sodium intake among overweight adults. Overall, reducing sodium consumption is recommended to reduce cardiovascular disease risks.
A large study of over 9,000 heart patients found that obesity is associated with a younger onset of heart disease, longer illness duration, and reduced life expectancy. The researchers also discovered that obese patients tend to have more severe health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
A study of 741 men and women exposed to the Dutch famine in utero found middle-aged women showed increased obesity rates, particularly abdominal deposition of body fat associated with metabolic syndrome. Women whose mothers were exposed to the famine early in their pregnancies were especially prone to later obesity.
A study by Robert Hegele and colleagues has discovered a genetic link between the GNB3 gene and obesity in the Canadian Inuit. The researchers found that individuals with a common variant of the GNB3 gene had significantly higher body mass index, waist, and hip girth, indicating a strong association with greater body fat.
Researchers at Denver's Eleanor Roosevelt Institute have identified a gene linked to obesity in mice, which also plays a role in humans. The study suggests that targeting this gene could lead to effective weight control and potentially even help with diseases like Down syndrome and epilepsy.
A new study of over 300,000 people found that obesity significantly increases the risk of premature death by 5.9 and 6.4 years for men and women aged 40-50, respectively. Optimal weight remains the same across different age groups, with excess weight artificially adding years to real age.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine suggest that obesity drugs can improve long-term weight loss results when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Patients who have already made significant progress through behavioral programs may still benefit from medication to maintain their weight loss.
A new study reveals that gastric bypass surgery significantly improves health perception outcomes in severely obese patients, surpassing non-obese control groups in four categories. Patients report improved social functioning, emotional well-being, pain relief, and vitality after weight loss.
Researchers successfully used gene therapy to control appetite and weight in obese mice, resulting in significant weight loss within weeks. The study also explored an alternative protein, CNTF, which showed promising results in rats.
The long-term study found that orlistat helped successful dieters keep weight off. The accompanying editorials suggest that orlistat's benefits are modest.
A meta-analysis of formerly obese individuals who lost weight found that their resting metabolic rate decreased, explaining why dieters struggle to maintain weight loss. This decrease in metabolism may be a key factor contributing to the difficulty in keeping excess weight off.
The American Heart Association reports that high dietary salt intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke in overweight individuals. Snoring may also be a warning sign for cardiovascular disease, as it activates the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, controlling weight through exercise can reduce cardiovascula...
A large study found that cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, regardless of body fatness. The researchers suggest that fitness may be more important than being lean for reducing obesity and mortality risk.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that African American women who lost weight on reducing diets burned less resting energy expenditure than their white counterparts. This difference was significant and may contribute to the higher prevalence of obesity among Black women in the US.
The study found that obesity significantly increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, with risks rising from 35% for non-obese men to 46% for severely obese individuals. The expected lifetime costs of heart disease are also higher for obese individuals, ranging from $6,000 for mildly obese men to $16,400 for severely obes...
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine found that individuals dissatisfied with their bodies and those with a history of weight fluctuations face extreme difficulty losing weight. The research suggests that combining diet and exercise is crucial for success, emphasizing the importance of addressing both aspects.
Research found large differences in mean plasma leptin concentrations among Nigerian, Jamaican, and US black populations. Women showed higher leptin levels than men at every level of body fat. The study also suggests an exponential response of leptin to increases in body fat stores.
Elevated plasma leptin levels in obese individuals may indicate resistance to leptin's appetite-suppressing effects. Additionally, new evidence suggests a link between leptin concentrations and blood glucose changes, potentially connecting obesity and adult-onset diabetes.
A study by Ohio University found that employers are more likely to hire obese individuals for sedentary jobs, but less likely for high-activity jobs. The study suggests that physical activity is a key factor in hiring decisions, rather than perceptions of attractiveness or weight.
Researchers have identified genetic and biological factors that influence a person's propensity toward obesity, suggesting a link between hormonal imbalances and weight gain. These findings may lead to tailored drug treatments, enabling physicians to detect predispositions and treat obesity with precision.
Researchers found that oral administration of a steroid hormone boosts circulating leptin levels in humans, with higher levels observed in obese individuals. The study suggests that overweight people still have leptin reserves and may benefit from high-dose leptin therapy.
Research shows that men younger than 65 who are moderately overweight have a higher risk of dying from any cause and heart disease compared to their non-overweight counterparts. For women, being overweight poses a significant heart-disease mortality risk at any age, with an increased risk observed even at moderate BMI levels.
Morbidly obese pregnant women can reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by engaging in moderate physical activity, a new study has shown. The study found that the presence or absence of exercise, not its frequency or duration, was the key factor in reducing diabetes risk.
OHSU scientists find obese mice resistant to increasing leptin levels, contrary to previous hypothesis that higher leptin would suppress appetite. The study sheds new light on the role of leptin in body weight regulation and raises questions about its potential therapeutic value for obesity treatment.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that mice with resistance to leptin are more likely to become obese. The researchers used a novel technique called ICV infusion to deliver leptin directly into the brain, which resulted in significant weight loss and fat reduction in lean mice.
A study of 32 obese women found that shedding excess weight led to improved body image and increased sexual activity. However, the improvement was not statistically significant and the level of sexual activity remained below national averages.
A study by Purdue University researcher James Binkley found that states with high fast-food sales aren't typically among those with weight problems, suggesting a possible link between reduced exercise and increased obesity. The research challenges the common assumption that fast food leads to weight gain.
Researchers found that leptin reduces insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells by interacting with receptors and activating ion channels. The study suggests that treatment with leptin or sensitizing drugs may help prevent diabetes in obese individuals with fasting hyper-insulinemia.
Researchers found that 15% of obese people carry antibodies to Ad-36, a virus known to induce obesity in animals. Antibody-positive individuals had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than antibody-negative counterparts.
Research at the University at Buffalo has provided a biochemical explanation for obesity, showing that chronic hyperinsulinemia precedes obesity in rat pups. The study suggests that early metabolic setpoints program rats to overproduce insulin, leading to obesity later in life.
A Cornell University study found that overweight cats are more likely to develop diabetes mellitus, lameness, and non-allergic skin conditions. The study also showed that obese cats are twice as likely to die in middle age compared to optimal weight cats.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black women have lower resting metabolic rates than white women, making it harder to lose weight. This difference in metabolism was observed even after adjusting for weight and muscle mass.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University discovered how a mutated agouti gene leads to overeating and excess body fat in mice. The study shows that the agouti gene, when expressed in brain cells, disrupts a hormonal signaling pathway that regulates feeding behavior.
A new study finds that obese Blacks are more likely to experience physical disabilities due to their weight, with a 30% greater risk than Whites. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined functional differences between Blacks and Whites in rural Johnston County.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that removing a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y (NPY) can help reduce body fat in genetically obese mice. The study found that mice lacking NPY become only half as fat, eat less, and have a higher metabolic rate compared to their morbidly obese cousins.
A new Weizmann Institute of Science study finds that high levels of leptin disrupt insulin's activities, leading to raised blood sugar levels. Researchers discovered that excessive leptin suppresses insulin's ability to slow down gluconeogenesis, a process that can cause diabetes-related symptoms.
A study found that certain genetic variants next to the human obesity (OB) gene are associated with obesity in young women, as well as depression and anxiety. The results suggest a direct link between the OB gene variants and depression, rather than just secondary effects.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that overweight and severely overweight patients are six to nine times more likely to develop post-operative infections than normal weight patients. These infections can be serious, but obesity does not increase mortality rates in this context.
Researchers found that weakened diaphragm muscles may contribute to sleep apnea in obese individuals, particularly as they age. The study used rats as an animal model and found that diaphragm response was compromised in older obese animals, but not in younger ones.
A University at Buffalo study finds that certain genetic variants near the human obesity gene are associated with obesity in young women, as well as depression and anxiety. The study also suggests that these genes may contribute to the development of behavioral disorders in young women.