Research on obesity, its causes, and its treatment. Covers GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, diet, metabolic health, treatment guidelines, and obesity in children.
A new study in tens of thousands of people with obesity shows the impact of different weight management treatments on achieving a 5% weight loss. Effective treatment options include nutrition counseling, medically supervised meal replacements, anti-obesity medications, and bariatric surgery.
A new study published in LANCET eClinicalMedicine found that regular exercise can help individuals maintain weight loss after completing medical weight loss treatment. The study showed that exercising just two hours a week can lead to better quality of life, improved mental health, and reduced fatigue.
A study has identified 1,289 genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes, including 145 newly discovered markers. The research provides risk scores for diabetes complications and suggests potential genetic targets for new treatments.
A new Danish study finds that a protein-rich breakfast increases satiety and improves concentration, but eating the same meal in larger quantities may lead to consuming more calories. The study's results suggest that replacing a carbohydrate-rich diet with a protein-rich diet can have a positive impact on preventing weight gain.
Weight loss treatments such as nutrition counseling and bariatric surgery increased the patient-level probability of achieving significant weight loss. Current treatment utilization rates are insufficient to impact the population level, highlighting a need for improved access.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that gastric bypass surgery results in high rates of Type-2 diabetes remission five years after the operation, even after patients regain a significant amount of weight. In contrast, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and regained their weight were five t...
Researchers found that bariatric surgery led to improved cognition and overall well-being two years after the procedure. The study revealed changes in blood vessel efficiency and cortical thickness of the temporal cortex, offering new treatment options for patients with obesity and dementia.
A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension found that tirzepatide significantly lowered systolic blood pressure levels in nearly 500 adults with obesity. The results suggest treating obesity with this weight loss medication may be an effective strategy for preventing or treating high blood pressure.
A five-year study shows that bariatric surgery maintains normal blood pressure levels without medications, while reducing BMI compared to medical therapy alone. Participants who underwent bariatric surgery had fewer medications and lower blood pressure rates than those on medication alone.
A recent study published in PNAS suggests that impaired macrophage function plays a key role in the development of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. The research found that collagen breakdown is handled by macrophages, which become deactivated in obesity and insulin resistance, leading to the accumulation of collagen fragments.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a method to study liver function and disease using the cornea of mice eyes. They transplanted liver cells into the eyes, creating a non-invasive platform to monitor liver health over time.
Researchers discovered that fasting raises arachidonic acid levels, which inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome and reduce chronic inflammation. This finding may explain how calorie restriction protects against diseases linked to Western diets.
A study of over 1,700 adult patients found that gastric bypass and sleeve surgeries have few short-term complications and are equivalent in terms of risk. The results suggest that patients and doctors can choose between the two procedures without worrying about short-term surgical risks.
A study of 115,726 Korean adults found that eating up to three daily servings of kimchi was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. Radish kimchi was also linked to a lower risk of midriff bulge in both men and women.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of females, causing infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications. Effective management includes weight loss support, hormonal contraceptives, and nonhormonal medication like metformin.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical aim to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting and calorie counting on healthspan. Participants in the DiAL-Health study will be compensated up to $2,500 for their involvement.
Researchers identified two probiotic strains that promote weight loss in obese dogs. The strains, Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301, reduced body fat percentage and improved intestinal microflora balance in dogs fed a high-fat diet.
A scoping review of 508 clinical studies found that most define a low-carb diet as limiting carbohydrate intake to 30% or less, with some using thresholds below 100 grams per day. The study highlights the need for a standardized definition to inform public health and nutrition activities.
A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals that obesity is associated with the fragmentation of mitochondria in fat cells, leading to reduced energy burning and weight gain. Researchers identified a single gene responsible for this process and found that deleting it protected mice from diet-induced weight gain.
Experts predict a significant increase in bowel cancer death rates among young adults in the EU and UK, driven by rising obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Death rates are predicted to rise by 26% in men and nearly 39% in women in the UK, with similar increases seen in Italy and other European countries.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Mansoo Yu found that online weight loss interventions with counseling and social support are effective for middle-aged adults with obesity. The study identified two key features: professional health coaching and access to social support from other users, which led to significant long-...
A recent study found that exposure to multiple toxicants across generations can amplify health problems, such as obesity and kidney diseases. The study, published in Environmental Epigenetics, showed that epigenetic changes were greatly altered with each new generation of exposed animals.
A nationwide study from Karolinska Institutet found that GLP1 agonists like Ozempic reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease. Those who continued taking the medication for ten years were half as likely to develop severe liver disease.
A study of 398,000 UK Biobank participants found that improving social isolation and loneliness in people with obesity can decrease their risk of obesity-related excess mortality. The findings support the importance of addressing social isolation as a potential factor in reducing obesity-related mortality.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to novel treatment for obesity and associated diseases. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) plays a critical role in chronic inflammation, which is a key reason obese individuals often have multiple chronic diseases.
Participants with diabetes remission had a 33% lower rate of CKD and a 40% lower rate of CVD compared to those without remission. The magnitude of risk reduction was greatest for participants with longer-term remission.
A recent meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE found that dancing is a highly effective intervention for reducing body fat in overweight and obese individuals. The study analyzed data from various dance interventions and concluded that they can lead to significant weight loss and fat reduction.
Researchers found that obesity is associated with a 73% higher odds of having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a benign blood condition that often precedes multiple myeloma. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity and smoking habits also play a role in the development of MGUS.
Obesity recognized as chronic health condition with specific pathophysiologic causes, requiring safe and effective treatments. A multifaceted approach to care is essential for older adults, involving professionals from various fields to address social, environmental, and economic risk factors.
Researchers discovered that fruit bats have a genetic system controlling blood sugar levels, allowing them to consume up to twice their body weight in sugary fruit daily. The study's findings may lead to the development of better insulin- or sugar-sensing therapies for people with diabetes.
Researchers found that cognition scores remained stable two years after bariatric surgery, while secondary executive function tests showed improvement. However, one memory assessment declined following surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how best to treat cognitive decline associated with obesity.
A new study by University of California Riverside researchers found that high-fat diets affect not only obesity and colon cancer but also the immune system, brain function, and potentially COVID-19 risk. The study, which analyzed genetic changes in mice fed different types of fat, showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil ...
High adolescent BMI significantly increases the risk of developing early chronic kidney disease in young adulthood, according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers emphasize the need for preventive measures and management of risk factors associated with CKD in adolescents with elevated BMI.
Researchers found that Angelica gigas extract improves vascular function in high-fat diet rats, reversing endothelial dysfunction and increasing NO bioavailability. The extract regulates IRE1α sulfonation and RIDD signaling, promoting NO production via the SIRT1-eNOS axis.
The researchers designed a capsule about the size of a multivitamin, powered by a small battery, which vibrates to activate mechanoreceptors in the stomach. This activation stimulates hormone release patterns similar to those following a meal, reducing food intake and slowing weight gain by 40 percent.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a pill-size device called VIBE that creates the sensation of fullness by stimulating vagal nerve receptors when it comes into contact with gastric fluid. The device reduced food intake by an average of 31% in swine, and its effects were sustained for 30 minutes.
A study of 25 obese Chinese individuals reveals that intermittent energy restriction (IER) alters the gut microbiome and brain activity, leading to significant weight loss and reductions in obesity-related comorbidities. The changes are coupled over time, suggesting a complex relationship between the gut microbiome and brain.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that mitochondrial dysfunction disrupts dietary lipid processing in enterocytes, leading to abnormal fat accumulation and impaired nutrient delivery. The findings provide new insights into the gastrointestinal symptoms of mitochondrial disease and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
Flori Corpodean, a postdoctoral researcher at Pennington Biomedical, has been selected as the sole recipient of the 2024 Resident Research Award. She is exploring how the brain and intestinal tract communicate through her research on altered nutrient delivery.
Research by Dr Janina Steinmetz found that people are more likely to see others as having good self-control if they blame a lack of money rather than time for abandoning New Year's resolutions. Studies involving around 1,200 participants showed that excusing financial constraints leads to better perceptions of self-control.
Research suggests that childhood sedentariness contributes to elevated cholesterol levels and premature heart attack or stroke in mid-life. Engaging in light physical activity for 3-4 hours/day may be effective in reducing high cholesterol.
The study found that people who are only slightly overweight, with a BMI of 25-30, and those with mild obesity, have the highest costs for healthcare services. This is because these individuals represent a larger proportion of the population than obese individuals, who have a higher risk of disease but lower costs.
A new study published in the Journal of Health Communication found that news sites, especially UK and US sources, continue to use stigmatizing images when reporting on obesity. The research highlights the need for news media to be mindful of the images included in health news articles.
A new poll found that 83% of older adults believe health insurers should cover medications to help people with obesity manage their weight. Nearly as many, 76%, also believe Medicare should cover these drugs, which are currently not covered under law.
A Northwestern University study found that nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue or change their medication within a year, highlighting the need for better understanding of barriers to treatment adherence. The high discontinuation rate for GLP-1 RAs may be due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers found that switching fruit flies to a low-calorie diet extends their lifespan, even in old age. This study suggests that obese humans may benefit from reducing calorie intake in old age, as it can dramatically change their metabolisms and extend their lives.
A phase 3 trial found that tirzepatide promotes additional weight loss and preserves metabolic health when continued, but discontinuation leads to significant weight regain. Researchers suggest chronic treatment may be necessary for sustained weight loss and improved cardiometabolic risk factors.
Continued treatment with tirzepatide maintained and augmented initial weight reduction in adults with obesity. Withdrawing tirzepatide led to substantial regain of lost weight in a randomized clinical trial involving 670 participants.
A large cohort of adolescents found high BMI in late adolescence is associated with early CKD in young adulthood. High-normal BMI and severe obesity also increased the risk of developing CKD.
A plant-based diet has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 24%, with benefits attributed to improved metabolism and liver function. Additionally, healthy eating patterns were found to improve organ function, particularly in individuals with genetic predispositions or other risk factors.
A new study found no increased risk of major congenital malformations in infants exposed to second-line non-insulin antidiabetic medications during pregnancy compared to those treated with insulin. The study examined over 3.5 million pregnancies and provided reassurance on the safety of these medications for fetuses.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic interact with the RAGE receptor to control kidney damage in diabetes. This finding opens up new therapeutic drug targets for preventing kidney disease in people with diabetes.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered a genetic variant in the GIP receptor that may help individuals resist obesity. The variant enhances insulin release and glucose metabolism, allowing mice with the variant to process sugar more efficiently and stay leaner.
A Cleveland Clinic study found that only 19% of participants continued to use anti-obesity medications one year after their initial prescriptions. Participants who received more effective medications and experienced greater weight loss at six months were more likely to continue treatment.
Research suggests that anti-obesity medications can lower the risk of premature death in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis, particularly those who experience a slow-to-moderate rate of weight loss. Studies show a 28% lower risk of death for these individuals compared to those with no weight loss.
Research suggests visfatin stimulates membrane raft clustering, leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and podocyte injury. The study highlights the role of membrane raft redox signaling in visfatin-induced inflammation and kidney damage.
Research found that being overweight hampers the body's immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to reduced antibody levels and activity. However, vaccination offered protection against COVID-19. The study suggests personalized recommendations for overweight individuals to ensure better COVID-19 management.
A study by researchers from Osaka University found that HSP47, a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, is significantly expressed in fat tissue and correlates with body fat levels. High or low HSP47 expression was linked to high or low body fat levels in both humans and mice.
A study at the University of Bonn found that primary school children are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks when buying with friends or classmates. Conversely, they opted for healthier choices when purchasing alone. This highlights the importance of understanding how social factors influence children's purchasing decisions.
A Concordia University study found that Canadians of all sizes hold negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight and obesity, often internalizing these feelings and blaming their own behavior. The study also showed that females are more likely to report weight bias internalization than males.