Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a gene called Prkar2a in mice that influences their eating habits and motivation to exercise. The study found that mice lacking this gene consumed less high-fat food and drank less sugar solution than those with the gene, while also being more inclined to exercise.
Mice fed a Western diet showed faster decline in odor detection and learning abilities compared to controls. The researchers suggest high dietary sugar content, rather than obesity or hyperglycemia, may be linked to this deterioration.
The Obesity Society recognizes Roxane Gay for her powerful writing on obesity challenges, Ted Kyle for his influential newsletter ConscienHealth, and Rudolph Leibel for his groundbreaking discoveries on leptin and body weight regulation. These awardees have significantly contributed to understanding obesity.
Researchers found that weight-reduction surgery significantly reduces the risk of a second heart attack, cardiovascular event, and death among severely obese patients with a prior heart attack. Patients who underwent surgery also experienced improvements in sleep apnea, hypertension, cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.
A nationwide cohort study found that severely obese individuals who underwent gastric bypass or sleeve procedure had a lower risk of additional myocardial infarctions and improved survival rates. The study suggests that metabolic surgery may have a positive impact on cardiometabolic risk factors beyond weight loss.
A global survey during the COVID-19 lockdown found that people with obesity improved their diets but experienced sharp declines in mental health and high incidence of weight gain. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring mental health screenings and remote visits to prevent irreversible health effects.
A new study has found that non-obese Vietnamese Americans are 60% more likely to have diabetes than non-obese, non-Hispanic White Americans. Only 9% of Vietnamese Americans with diabetes were obese, compared to half of all non-Hispanic White Americans.
The 38th Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society will present innovative scientific research results through oral and poster abstracts. These communications highlight new anti-obesity medication clinical trials and comparisons of weight loss diets.
A University of Gothenburg study finds that individuals who undergo obesity (bariatric) surgery have a higher average life expectancy compared to those given conventional treatment for obesity. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, shows that bariatric surgery prolongs life expectancy by 3 years, but patients sti...
A systematic review of nine clinical studies involving 6,577 patients with COVID-19 found that obesity significantly increases the risk of severe illness and death. The study also highlights the importance of addressing obesity through public health policies to prevent COVID-19-related complications.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that a person's risk of uncontrolled chronic disease increases after moving to a place where the condition is more common. The study analyzed millions of adults who moved to new neighborhoods, counties, and states, tracing how their health changed after the move.
Higher HMGB1 levels associated with obesity, inflammation and cardiovascular disease in younger adults, particularly females and blacks. The study found a link between circulating HMGB1 levels and increased blood pressure, stiffer arteries and inflammation.
Controlling blood sugar levels boosts cognitive function, including thinking, learning, and remembering. However, more weight loss and exercise only improve executive function skills, while verbal learning and memory decline. Effective management of type 2 diabetes is crucial to offset its negative effects on brain health.
The Obesity Society has announced four honorees for its annual symposium, which will present the latest insights into preventing and treating obesity. The honorees represent a range of topics, including the effects of obesogenic medication on weight change outcomes.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that modifiable health risks, such as obesity and high blood pressure, account for 27% of US personal health care expenses. These costs are largely driven by five risk factors: overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, poor diet, and smoking.
A study from the University of Queensland found that a gene controlling inflammation increases the risk of obesity. Researchers discovered that variations in this gene lead to excessive inflammation in fat tissue, contributing to weight gain. By turning off the gene in mice, they were able to prevent weight gain and reduce diabetes risk
A case series report found that prone positioning can help normalize electrocardiogram (ECG) readings in patients with COVID-19. The study presented a woman with comorbidities and shortness of breath, whose ECG improved after being placed in the prone position.
A randomized clinical trial found that restricting daily eating to between 12 pm and 8 pm resulted in significant weight loss among participants. The study also showed improvements in metabolic markers, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity.
A recent study highlights the prevalence of malnutrition among overweight or obese individuals, which can lead to serious health conditions. Physicians are urging clinicians to recognize the importance of nutritional screening and counseling in patients with increased body mass index.
A world-first study has found that severely overweight individuals are less likely to re-wire their brains and form new neural pathways. This impairment in brain plasticity makes it harder for them to learn new tasks and remember things, with significant implications for people recovering from strokes or brain injuries. Obesity is asso...
A new study found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combining cycling and rowing improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar levels in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study also showed improvements in body composition, including a reduction in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass.
Cats that eat one meal a day are more satisfied, with higher post-meal levels of appetite-regulating hormones. This feeding schedule also promotes lean body mass by increasing blood amino acids.
A study by Cleveland Clinic found that surgically induced weight loss of 5-10% improves life expectancy and cardiovascular health. The research suggests metabolic surgery may contribute to health benefits independent of weight loss.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that excess belly fat is associated with a higher risk of early death from any cause. In contrast, larger hips and thighs were linked to a lower risk of premature mortality. This suggests that measuring central fatness may be a more reliable indicator of risk than body mass index.
A multi-site study found that using prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) does not significantly lower the risk of infection for women with obesity who have undergone cesarean delivery. The study, which included over 1,600 participants, also found increased rates of skin irritations in the NPWT group.
A new study reveals that nearly 20% of US adults face food insecurity, with worse rates among Hispanics, Blacks, people with obesity, and women. The report also links food insecurity to obesity and other health issues, highlighting the need for public policy solutions.
A study of over 1,600 obese women found no significant difference in infection rates between those treated with NPWT and standard wound dressing. Despite this, women in the negative pressure group experienced more skin irritations.
Researchers at CNIC have discovered a mechanism explaining how macrophages regulate obesity and related diseases like fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. The study shows that oxidative stress leads to mitochondrial metabolism changes in macrophages, fostering inflammation and obesity.
A new study found that a Mediterranean-like diet partially modified the association between obesity and cardiovascular mortality. Higher body mass was associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, but adherence to healthy diets like Mediterranean-style eating reduced this risk.
Research suggests that conditions related to obesity, such as inflammation and leaky gut, leave lungs more susceptible to COVID-19. Additionally, high levels of ACE2 receptors in obese individuals can lead to a higher viral load, exacerbating disease severity.
A study of 26,000 heart transplants found that patients receiving hearts from severely obese donors had similar short-term and long-term outcomes as those receiving hearts from non-obese donors. The research has the potential to expand the critically low donor pool by increasing the number of obese donors.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that metabolic surgery reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death for individuals with hypertension and a BMI over 35kg/m2. The surgery was shown to be effective in treating hypertension, suggesting it as an option for patients with obesity and high blood pressure.
The article reviews mechanisms linking obesity and diabetes to COVID-19 severity, suggesting that bacterial conditions work with the virus to increase disease severity. A combined deficiency in ACE2 caused by COVID-19 leads to impaired gut barrier function, allowing bacteria and toxins to leak into the circulation.
Researchers found that the typically 'bad' APOE ε4 variant can also protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes, while the 'good' ε2 variant increases risk of certain conditions. The study's findings provide valuable insights into how the APOE gene impacts health and disease.
A mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy may alter the taste buds of her offspring, leading to a greater attraction to unhealthy food and obesity in adulthood. The study found that adult progeny fed with such a diet had more sweet-taste receptors inside their taste buds.
A study of 270 overweight women found no link between gut microbiota composition and the incidence of gestational diabetes. However, the combination of fish oil and probiotics was shown to modulate gut microbiota in women who did not develop gestational diabetes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found that households in states with Medicaid expansion increased purchase of diet soda and bottled water but showed no change in regular soda consumption. The study suggests a spillover effect of the program promoting healthier dietary choices.
Patients with the highest obesity risk who received a tailored coaching program lost 5% of their body weight, compared to 0.5% in usual care group. The study demonstrates the importance of convenient and accessible interventions in overcoming barriers to weight loss.
In a 11-year study, testosterone therapy significantly reduced weight and improved various metabolic markers in obese men with low testosterone. The treatment also led to lower rates of mortality and cardiovascular events compared to controls.
A new study found that people with obesity who gain weight tend to perceive their body size as smaller than it actually is. Despite improvements in accuracy over time for those maintaining a stable weight, the degree of body image distortion remained significant in weight gainers.
A study of UK data from the ACTION-IO study found that individuals with obesity waited an average of 9 years before discussing weight loss with their healthcare provider, significantly longer than the global average. This delay increases the risk of developing related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.
The European Society of Endocrinology reviews evidence on hormone involvement in COVID-19 infection, disease severity, and treatment. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and sex hormones are identified as risk factors.
A study of over 550,000 adults in the UK found that losing an average of 13% of body weight reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%-44%, sleep apnoea by 22%-27%, high blood pressure by 18%-25%, and dyslipidaemia by 20-22%. The study suggests that intentional weight loss can markedly reduce disease risk in people with obes...
A new study finds that obesity can lead to an overactive immune response to COVID-19, impairing the body's ability to fight the virus. The review highlights the importance of understanding how obesity interacts with new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.
A nationwide study found that consuming even half a standard drink per day increases the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The risk rises with alcohol intake, with men and women experiencing higher odds of obesity and metabolic syndrome when drinking more than half a standard drink per day.
Research suggests that the immunological disturbances found in COVID-19 and obesity overlap, contributing to increased disease severity and mortality. Fat cells accumulate fat and become larger during weight gain, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity.
A nationwide Danish study found that individuals with hospital-diagnosed overweight or obesity have a 60% higher risk of dying compared to the general population. The risk of dying was highest within the first year of diagnosis and remained markedly higher over the whole study period.
A small study using mobile eye-tracking technology found that normal-weight consumers noticed and looked at their chosen food earlier and longer than those with overweight or obesity. The researchers also discovered a tendency for all consumers to focus on lower-energy-density foods like fruits and vegetables more often.
A survey of over 6,000 US and UK adults found that attitudes towards obesity are changing, with more Americans viewing it as a medical problem. In contrast, nearly one-third of UK respondents still blame people with obesity for their condition.
A UK survey of over 800 adults found that most struggled with weight management during the pandemic, citing increased snacking and reduced exercise. However, those who received weight-management support continued to lose weight and reported higher wellbeing.
A study of 1177 UK adults found that eating more in the evening is associated with a higher total energy intake and lower diet quality. The research suggests that consuming a lower proportion of calories at night may lead to a lower daily energy intake.
A new study found that obesity-related illnesses frequently occur in people with a BMI over 30, yet only 9% had obesity recorded as a cause of death. Researchers argue that obesity is not being accurately documented on medical certificates, highlighting the need for further studies.
Research shows that people with obesity are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease and mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed ICU patients and found a clear correlation between BMI and disease severity, with those with severe obesity facing the highest risk.
Research suggests that not all vegetarian diets are created equal, with healthier choices linked to maintaining normal blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil were found to be key contributors to better heart health.
New studies demonstrate significant reductions in ALT, hepatic fat, and liver damage biomarkers for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The treatments target lipid metabolism and show potential to address type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A new study published in Obesity found that an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) focused on weight loss lowered the incidence of obesity-related cancers in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. The ILI reduced cancer incidence by 16% compared to a Diabetes Support and Education comparison group.
A new study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that an eight-week very low-carbohydrate diet improved body composition, fat distribution, and metabolic health in older adults with obesity. The diet also preserved skeletal muscle mass without intentional caloric restriction.
Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are chaperones that coordinate fatty acid transport between cells. Research by University of Louisville immunologist Bing Li reveals their role in lipid metabolism, obesity, and disease development.
Researchers at the University of Bath found that generic public health messages are more effective than tailored advice in shifting dietary habits. Participants who received generic information selected food baskets with less total fat and spent 34% less on unhealthy items compared to those who received no information.
Researchers found a statistically significant relationship between morbid obesity and COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US. Morbid obesity rates are positively correlated with COVID-19 death rates, explaining 9% of the variation.