Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Obesity drug helps teens lose weight, study finds

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, an approved obesity drug for adults, also helps adolescents with obesity lose weight and have healthier hearts. After 68 weeks, 72.5% of participants who received semaglutide had achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to just 17% on placebo.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 2, 2022

Digital and group-based lifestyle counselling to prevent type 2 diabetes shows real-world effectiveness in Finnish health care

A one-year lifestyle intervention with a digital app and group counselling improved diet quality, reduced abdominal obesity and insulin resistance among 2907 Finnish adults at risk of type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that commitment to lifestyle counselling supports positive changes.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·DateOct 27, 2022

At risk for diabetes? Cut the carbs, says new study

Researchers at Tulane University have discovered that following a low-carbohydrate diet can lead to reduced hemoglobin A1c levels and improved fasting glucose levels among individuals with unmedicated diabetes and prediabetes. The study suggests that a low-carb diet may be a useful approach for preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes.

SourceTulane University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2022

After 30 years -- new guidelines for weight-loss surgery

The new guidelines, issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), recommend metabolic and bariatric surgery for individuals with a BMI of 35 or more, regardless of obesity-related conditions. The guidelines also endo...

SourceAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 21, 2022

First medical guideline recommends new prescription medications for weight loss, ranks the most effective drugs

The American Gastroenterological Association releases new guidelines recommending medications paired with lifestyle changes for adults struggling to lose weight. The guidelines highlight the importance of treating obesity as a biological disease, reducing health complications like diabetes and fatty liver.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGastroenterology·DateOct 20, 2022

The use of high-throughput screening and high-content screening in anti-obesity drug discovery is investigated in the October issue of SLAS discovery

Few studies utilize high-throughput screening (HTS) and high-content screening (HCS) techniques in anti-obesity drug discovery due to a lack of original data or experimental design information. This limits the development of effective pharmaceutical treatments for obesity-related diseases.

Drug discovery method identifies naturally occurring metabolite that converts ‘bad’ fat to ‘good’ fat

A team of scientists at Scripps Research and Calibr discovered a naturally occurring metabolite called myristoylglycine that can convert white fat cells into brown fat cells, potentially treating obesity and related diseases. The breakthrough uses a novel drug discovery method to identify endogenous metabolites with therapeutic potential.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMetabolites·DateOct 13, 2022

Smoking, diabetes and obesity – not preexisting heart disease – bigger risk of COVID-19 death, study finds

A national study found that patients with cardiovascular disease had a higher mortality rate than those without, but this association was largely due to shared risk factors. Myocardial injury was common among critically ill COVID-19 patients and associated with poor outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

How genetics influences our body weight beyond the genes

Researchers have identified microRNA-7 as a non-classic genetic risk factor for hereditary obesity. The molecule affects energy balance and appetite regulation in humans and mice, highlighting the need to examine non-genetic factors in gene-based studies. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating obesity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022

Low-income charter school graduates had lower rates of problematic substance use as young adults, UCLA research suggests

A new study from UCLA found that students who attended high-performing charter schools had a 50% lower rate of alcohol use disorder compared to waitlisted students. Males in the intervention group also reported better physical health and lower obesity rates, while females did not show similar benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 6, 2022

Obesity prevalence varies significantly for Asian American subgroups

A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2022

UK trial shows remission from type 2 diabetes possible even in people with lower body weight – supporting idea that everyone has a ‘personal fat threshold’

A UK trial found that 70% of people with normal weight and type 2 diabetes entered remission by losing around 10% of their body weight, supporting the concept of a personal fat threshold. The study showed that even though participants had normal BMI, they had higher levels of fat in their liver and pancreas than healthy controls.

Protein restriction can be effective in combating obesity and diabetes, study suggests

A randomized clinical trial found that protein restriction diets can lead to weight loss, improved blood sugar and lipid levels, and controlled blood pressure. The study involved 21 patients with metabolic syndrome, who were given either a calorie or protein restriction diet for 27 days.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 20, 2022

New Chinese Medical Journal review elucidates potential contributors to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

A new Chinese Medical Journal review article elucidates the potential contributors to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, highlighting the role of bile acid and sphingolipid biology. Researchers summarize current understanding of NAFLD, its progression, and potential therapeutic strategies.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 20, 2022

High-fat diets trigger inflammatory immune cell generation in bone

A study found that high-fat diets fuel the creation of inflammatory immune cells in mouse bone marrow. These cells can later invade fat tissue, leading to insulin resistance and other complications associated with obesity. The bone marrow's sensitivity to environmental changes plays a crucial role in this process.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateSep 20, 2022

Adolescents with severe obesity lost weight, kept it off, and erased comorbidities after bariatric surgery

A study by researchers from UTHealth Houston and the University of Miami found that adolescents with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery before age 22 lost significant weight and experienced complete remission of comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma, and elevated lipids. The study's results show that these young patients c...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 20, 2022

“Bulk and cut” dieting linked to symptoms of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia

A recent study found that nearly half of men and one in five women engaged in 'bulk and cut' cycles, connected with a greater desire for muscularity. The study also linked this dietary method to symptoms of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia among participants.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalEating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2022