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 suggests that a diet high in protein, zinc, and niacin, and low in saturated fat, can improve blood vessel flexibility. The study found improvements in metabolic and cardiovascular health, including reductions in calorie and saturated fat intake, increases in zinc and niacin, and improvements in blood vessel function.
A new study suggests that reducing daily sedentary time by just one hour a day can have significant health benefits in three months. The intervention group showed improvements in blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, and liver health compared to the control group.
A study of nearly 9,000 children found that those on a vegetarian diet had similar measures of growth and nutrition compared to those who eat meat. Children with a vegetarian diet also had higher odds of underweight weight status.
A new study from University of Gothenburg found that men with high childhood BMI are at an elevated risk of obesity-related cancer, even if their weight is normal in young adulthood. The study analyzed data from 6,565 men born between 1945 and 1961 and found a persistently increased risk of adult obesity-related cancer.
Research shows that around three quarters of total US healthcare costs for people with obesity are accounted for by the 20% highest-cost cases. These high-cost individuals had substantially more obesity-related complications and economic burden than those in lower cost categories.
A novel therapy using sustained release of nitric oxide has been shown to ameliorate obesity and Type 2 diabetes in mice fed a high-fat diet. The therapy was found to decrease body weight, improve glucose tolerance, and stimulate the browning of adipose tissue.
A Brazilian study analyzing data from 3,875 elderly men and women found that weak muscles combined with abdominal obesity can indicate an early sign of functional decline. The study suggests that monitoring simple actions such as sitting down, standing up, walking short distances may help identify this condition.
A new study has found that adults with asthma are more likely to become obese later in life. The research, which included over 8,700 participants from 11 European countries and Australia, revealed that non-allergic asthma, longer disease duration, and corticosteroid treatment were associated with increased obesity risk.
Researchers will enroll 1,000 adults in a placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of low-cost phentermine on weight loss and related health metrics over two years. The study aims to provide long-term treatment options for patients struggling with obesity.
A new study found that moderate fitness can offer protection against the dampening effects of chemotherapy on natural immunity. Breast cancer survivors who were moderately fit produced a significantly larger immune response to a typhoid vaccine, while those with lower fitness levels had a reduced response.
A study suggests that intense exercise can help rats resist cues for high-fat food pellets, even after a 30-day diet. The researchers found that exercise modulated the rats' willingness to work for these cues, reflecting their craving level.
The Endocrine Society's scientific statement highlights the potential of extracellular vesicles in diagnosing and monitoring endocrine-related conditions, including cancer. These tiny vesicles may also serve as biomarkers for high blood pressure and have therapeutic roles.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 108 studies found that people with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, have twice the cardiovascular-related mortality rate as the general population. The association has grown stronger over recent decades, with a possible link to changes in antipsychotic use and smoking prevalence.
A cross-racial study of 1.87 million US veterans found significant differences in dementia incidence across five racial groups, with Hispanic and Black veterans at highest risk. Rates were significantly higher for Hispanics (99%) and Blacks (55%), while Asian veterans showed a 24% increase compared to whites.
A recent study funded by Cancer Research UK has found that excess weight almost doubles a woman's risk of developing womb cancer. The study analyzed genetic samples from over 120,000 women and found that markers such as fasting insulin and testosterone increase the risk of womb cancer.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology discovered that tocotrienols, a subtype of vitamin E, can lower body weight, reduce white adipose tissue, and protect the liver in mice fed with a high-fat diet. The study suggests a potential compound to prevent obesity and its secondary diseases.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have found that hypothalamic neurons can directly detect variations in bacterial activity, adapting appetite and body temperature accordingly. This discovery could lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found that low-density neutrophils are associated with chronic inflammation in obesity, which can lead to comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and cancer. Bariatric surgery reduces these cells in circulation, improving metabolic syndrome components.
Researchers found that alterations in gut microbiota can help treat pancreatic and hormonal dysfunction in diabetes patients. The study showed that antibiotics treatment can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose intolerance in obese mice and humans.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that late menopause, occurring at age 55 or older, significantly increases heart failure risk among obese women. Obesity was a major contributing factor, with the risk being greatest among women who experienced late menopause.
A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.
Researchers found that adolescents who consumed ultra-processed foods were more likely to be obese, having abdominal and visceral obesity. The study used data from 3,587 US adolescents aged 12-19, dividing them into three groups based on the amount of ultra-processed foods in their diets.
A new study published in Surgical Endoscopy found that adolescents with obesity who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy benefited from reduced obesity and concomitant organ damage, regardless of their age at the time of surgery. Additionally, adolescents with a family history of bariatric surgery had a higher weight prior to weig...
Current guidelines for treating women's obesity, hypertension and diabetes are based on men's studies. Researchers call for sex-specific guidelines to accurately treat these conditions in women, as they have different risk factors and manifestations.
Researchers at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University have discovered a new receptor, Ptprd, that controls appetite and body weight. The receptor trap drug suppresses appetite, body weight, and blood glucose levels in obese mice.
A study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle found that BAM15 improves health outcomes for aged mice with obesity by preventing muscle loss and increasing energy expenditure. The compound helped mice lose fat, gain strength and increase physical activity.
A study of 3,900 older adults found factors associated with decreased physical activity include older age, living alone, obesity, adverse health conditions, and poor physical functioning. The results highlight the need for interventions targeting these barriers to promote healthy lifestyles in older age.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that long-term follow-up and organized physical activity can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants who engaged in healthier habits and increased activity saw significant improvements over five years.
Researchers have developed a new implant that reduces ghrelin levels and body weight gain by half when exposed to laser light, offering a minimally invasive treatment option for obese patients. The implant uses a laser-activated dye to kill cells producing the 'hunger hormone'.
A breakthrough discovery has identified a novel approach to tackle metabolic diseases by inhibiting a liver enzyme that regulates appetite and energy expenditure. The treatment, which stabilizes key proteins in the blood, resulted in significant weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in obese mice.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that taxes on soda reduce consumption among adolescent boys, but not girls. The study analyzed data from Mauritius and Maldives and found that the tax decreased the likelihood of boys consuming soda, but had no impact on their frequency or body mass index.
A new study from Northwestern University found that once-weekly prednisone treatment improved exercise endurance, increased lean body mass, and reduced weight in obese mice. The treatment also promoted nutrient uptake into muscles and increased adiponectin levels, a hormone that helps protect against diabetes and insulin resistance.
Researchers discovered that elevated blood fats in people with metabolic diseases create stress in muscle cells, leading to cell death and worsening the illness. Ceramides, a signal created by stressed-out cells, can be passed on to other cells, increasing the risk of severe symptoms.
Researchers investigate how mushrooms improve gut health and provide a preventive buffer against disease in Western-style diets. The study aims to understand the role of Turicibacter in dietary obesity and gut health, as well as the potential benefits of incorporating oyster mushrooms into diet.
Researchers discovered that obesity changes molecular underpinnings of allergic inflammation in both mice and humans. The treatment in obese mice makes their skin worse instead of healing, but a specific drug can 'de-fatten' obese mice without changing body weight.
A new study finds that fixed costs in the supply chain distort the price of fruit and vegetables, leading to underconsumption and health issues. A subsidy could increase consumption by up to 15% and make diets healthier, according to economists at the University of Warwick.
A randomized controlled study found that lack of sufficient sleep increased calorie intake and visceral fat area by 9% and 11%, respectively. The study suggests that inadequate sleep is a previously unrecognized trigger for visceral fat deposition, potentially contributing to obesity and metabolic diseases.
Researchers found that different regions of fat tissue contribute to disease risk differently in men and women, with visceral fat in men and subcutaneous fat in women being linked to diabetes onset. The study suggests that understanding these sex-specific differences can inform better clinical approaches to treating the disease.
A recent study found that obese pregnant women are at a higher risk of experiencing stillbirth or neonatal death. The research revealed that over 60% of this increased risk is associated with deliveries occurring at an earlier gestational age, highlighting the importance of careful prenatal care and monitoring.
Researchers at the University of Illinois created quantum dots to visualize macrophages in fat tissue, shedding light on chronic inflammation's role in diseases. The new technology enables accurate cell counting and tracking over time, offering a potential diagnostic tool for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University found that fermented soybean waste improves fat metabolism and mitigates the effects of diet-induced obesity. The study, published in Metabolites, showed that mice fed fermented okara gained less body mass and had lower levels of fat and cholesterol.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University found that a 7-week healthy cooking course improved participants' general health, mental health, and self-perceived mental well-being. Cooking confidence also increased significantly, particularly among women, who reported improved mental health benefits despite no changes in diet quality.
Scientists have generated an atlas of cell types in white adipose tissue, identifying novel subpopulations linked to increased risk of metabolic disease. The study provides a comprehensive resource for translational research into human metabolic diseases.
Research reveals that plasmacytoid dendritic cells accumulate in visceral adipose tissue, triggering fatal immune responses. Blocking their migration can reduce weight gain and improve metabolic conditions.
A study of 5,635 individuals with colorectal cancer and 4,515 controls found that living with overweight or obesity for more years increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The findings suggest that weight management may be crucial in preventing this type of cancer.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that Hispanic/Latino youths experiencing food insecurity have poorer HDL-C levels, greater fasting glucose and triglycerides, and a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. The study highlights the need for nutrition policies to address food insecurity among this population.
Intermittent fasting produces mild to moderate weight loss and improves cardiometabolic risk factors, comparable to traditional calorie-restricted diets. The review also dispels myths about intermittent fasting, including the misconception that it leads to weakness and decreased concentration.
Researchers found that post-COVID patients displayed altered autonomic nervous system functioning, with increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity. Obesity and physical inactivity were key factors contributing to these changes.
Researchers at Université Laval found that yogurt's health benefits for obesity may be due to its impact on the gut microbiota and production of branched chain hydroxy acids (BCHA). The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that BCHA can help improve fasting glucose and liver function in obese mice.
Scientists at the Josep Carreras Institute and CIC Biogune discovered that blood vessels use small molecules to instruct adipose tissue to release fat. This finding sheds light on the importance of blood vessels in regulating obesity and opens up opportunities for improving human health through vascular regulation.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that even moderate light exposure during sleep harms cardiovascular function and increases insulin resistance. Closing blinds and using dim lighting before bed can help mitigate these effects.
A randomized study of 379 women with obesity and unexplained infertility found that intensive lifestyle changes that shed pounds led to no better chances of pregnancy than simply increasing physical activity without weight loss. The study also showed significant health benefits from weight loss, including a decrease in metabolic syndrome.
Scientists have identified a new immune process that regulates inflammation in human fat, which may help manage obesity. The research found that specific immune cells can work together in fat tissue to cause weight gain and obesity.
A new study from the Healthy Nevada Project found associations between genetics, childhood trauma, and adult obesity. Participants with specific genetic traits and who experience childhood traumas are more likely to suffer from adult obesity. The study suggests that understanding the interplay between genes and environment can help pro...
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a potential way to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes in women by targeting a specific gene called KLF14. Increasing KLF14 abundance in fat cells may help alleviate metabolic abnormalities, including slower metabolic rates and less efficient triglyceride management.
A new study found significant associations between student discomfort and being weighed by physical education teachers compared to school nurses. Student dissatisfaction with their weight and perceived overweight status were linked to increased discomfort with the weight measurement process.
A new analysis by University of Copenhagen researchers found that a Nordic diet has positive health benefits regardless of weight loss. The diet's unique fat composition, high in omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fats, plays a significant role in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
A new randomized controlled trial found that making small changes to caloric intake and physical activity levels did not prevent long-term weight gain better than monitoring alone. Researchers observed reduced weight at 3, 6, 12, and 15 months but no significant difference by 24 months.
A team of UTSA researchers has developed an innovative inhibitor that blocks the effects of cytochrome P450 8B1, a key enzyme linked to cholesterol absorption and obesity. The treatment shows promise in reducing glucose levels without affecting body weight, offering potential relief from obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
A new study from the University of South Australia has found that popular weight loss diets can be expensive, with costs ranging from $345 to $625 per week. The most cost-effective diet was modelled on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and adapted for weight loss through calorie restriction.