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 shows that intensive behavioral therapy from dietitians is an effective way for older Americans to lose weight. The study found that patients who received dietitian-provided therapy lost an average of 2.66 lbs, while those in the control group gained weight.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating a large breakfast instead of a large dinner creates twice as high diet-induced thermogenesis. This process measures how well metabolism is working, and can differ depending on mealtime.
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that longer sitting times were associated with higher levels of heart disease risk among overweight and obese post-menopausal women. The study revealed a strong negative link between sitting time and insulin resistance, particularly among Hispanic women.
A study of young African American adults found that high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity contribute to a higher stroke risk. Improved nutrition and healthy eating habits can help mitigate this risk by increasing stroke awareness among this group.
A new study by researchers at the University of Washington found that increases in minimum wages had no overall effect on the health of working-age people. However, they did find a mix of negative and positive effects associated with the health of certain subgroups, including increased obesity rates among working-age people of color.
A University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center-led research team has discovered a cancer-fighting compound that also reduces fat in obese mice. The team found that the compound, G-1, increases energy expenditure and targets brown fat cells, leading to weight loss and improved diabetes symptoms.
A study of 677 participants found higher abdominal fat was associated with lower scores on memory and language tasks. Visceral adiposity may impact cognitive decline in older patients with diabetes, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions.
A new AI method combines incomplete medical datasets to spot causal relationships, allowing researchers to analyze expensive or difficult-to-run trials. The algorithm uses quantum cryptography-inspired principles to determine the most disordered variable as the cause.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that tasting or consuming sucralose can affect blood glucose and insulin levels, even in healthy individuals. The study suggests that sweetness should be consumed in moderation regardless of calories.
The 2020 OMA Obesity Algorithm offers updated resources for clinicians, including clickable links to podcasts and lectures by obesity experts. The Algorithm is based on scientific evidence and aims to improve patient outcomes through individualized treatment approaches.
The American Heart Association's 2030 Impact Goals aim to increase healthy life expectancy globally, with targets of 67 years by 2030. Despite positive trends in cardiovascular health, the US faces challenges such as obesity and inadequate physical activity among youth.
A study published in Radiology found that weight loss surgery improves breathing issues in obese patients by reducing air trapping and tracheal collapse. CT scans revealed structural changes to the lung and trachea after surgery, which correlate with improved symptoms and reduced inflammation.
Weight loss surgery significantly reduced hypertension, heart failure, and early death risks in a UK study. Patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery had lower cardiovascular disease risk compared to those receiving routine care.
A new Cal Poly study found that building healthy dietary, self-monitoring and psychological coping strategies are key to maintaining weight loss. People who reported losing an average of 50 pounds and keeping it off for over three years used more frequent strategies like setting daily food intake goals and recording what was eaten each...
Researchers found that dietary disinhibition was associated with 5-year longitudinal weight gain in obesity-prone individuals. Additionally, breastfeeding duration and timing of solids introduction significantly impacted BMI trajectories in early childhood.
A University of Barcelona study found that irregular eating schedules during weekends, known as eating jet lag, may contribute to increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity. Researchers suggest that maintaining regular eating and sleeping schedules can help prevent weight gain.
A large study of over 22,000 patients after a first heart attack found that abdominal obesity is independently associated with fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. Waist circumference was a stronger marker of recurrent events than overall obesity in men, while women had a U-shaped relationship between waist circumference and ...
Researchers found a neuron in mice that can suppress appetite without causing nausea, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity. The study discovered that activating this CALCR neuron increases food intake and contributes to obesity, while deactivating it decreases food intake and body weight.
Researchers found soybean oil causes genetic changes in the brain, affecting obesity, diabetes, and neurological conditions. The study discovered 100 genes not functioning correctly, including a gene that produces oxytocin, leading to potential ramifications for brain function and diseases.
A specialized Lung Rescue Team at Massachusetts General Hospital has significantly reduced mortality rates in patients with obesity and acute respiratory failure compared to standard treatment. By individualized treatment, the team has cut the risk of death by half for up to a year.
Researchers at Stockholm University discovered engineered silica particles can reduce food efficiency, leading to lower weight gain and improved metabolic profiles in mice. The study suggests these particles could be used to treat obesity and diabetes in humans.
Blocking a cellular receptor called AHR prevents and reverses obesity in mice by inhibiting key genes involved in fat metabolism. Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center found that the drug NF, which blocks AHR, can not only prevent but also reverse obesity in study mice.
Researchers have discovered that blocking the iRhom2 protein increases energy consumption in fat depots, protecting against fat accumulation and inflammation. The study found no deleterious side effects, suggesting iRhom2 blocking may be a promising treatment for obesity.
Yale researchers identify O-GlcNAc transferase enzyme as key regulator of fat droplet doorman, which controls cellular access for nutrients and lipids. Mice lacking the enzyme exhibit reduced fat cell size and improved lipid burning, while overexpression triggers obesity by increasing carbohydrate intake.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that a person's BMI measurement from 25 years ago is a better predictor of their current BMI than a polygenic risk score. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,500 young adults and found that baseline BMI explained 52.3% of BMI variation over time.
Researchers conducted the largest study on weight loss surgery in a Chinese population with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Surgery provided substantial effects on weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol over five years, with restrictive surgeries being slightly more effective in diabetes remission.
A nationwide Danish study found that overweight and obesity were associated with a 12% higher risk of several common cancers. The study included 20,706 cancers among 313,321 adults diagnosed with overweight and obesity compared to expected cancers in the general population.
Half of women with heart failure do not receive adequate treatment due to the underlying cause being unrelated to a heart attack, leading to progressive stiffening of the heart. Obesity and high blood pressure are significant risk factors for this type of heart failure in women.
A review article published by George Washington University researcher Leigh A. Frame found a strong correlation between processed food consumption and the rising obesity epidemic in the US. The study suggests that limiting ultra-processed foods and increasing whole grain, fruit, and vegetable intake can help combat weight gain.
A study published in Current Biology found a link between dopamine, the brain's pleasure center, and the biological clock, which regulates daily rhythms. Mice fed high-calorie diets became obese due to disrupted feeding schedules, highlighting the importance of timing in eating and weight management.
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of malignant melanoma and other skin cancers in severely obese individuals. The study, which followed over 2,000 participants, showed a 57% decrease in malignant melanoma risk for those who underwent bariatric surgery.
Researchers found that patients with high body mass index (BMI) responded better to atezolizumab, a common immunotherapy treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This unexpected result may lead to further investigation into the potential link between BMI and inflammation in cancer treatment outcomes.
A review article published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that intermittent fasting can improve blood sugar regulation, increase resistance to stress, and suppress inflammation. Studies have shown that this adaptation may trigger a slower metabolic process, which can lead to weight loss and reduced belly fat.
A recent study found that obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, particularly those receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab. The study suggests that overweight and obese individuals may benefit from careful cardiac screening and follow-up during treatment.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have created a technique called Mid-infraRed Optoacoustic Microscopy (MiROM) that provides real-time images of biomolecules in living cells without the need for labels or contrast agents. This method offers novel insights into metabolic processes and can be used to study the effects of different diets on...
Research suggests that longer exposure to obesity and earlier development of obesity are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Women who experienced rapid weight gain from young adulthood had a higher risk of developing the disease compared to those who remained stable.
People with obesity produce more carbon dioxide due to higher metabolism and food consumption, contributing to 1.6% of global man-made emissions. Managing obesity can favorably affect the environment, with potential implications for healthcare and environmental policies.
The Obesity Medicine Association is launching local chapters in 12 cities/states to educate and empower healthcare providers. The chapters will provide a gathering space for clinicians to learn about the latest treatment options and share knowledge.
A new study suggests that glutamine supplementation could help people with obesity reduce inflammation of fat tissue and reduce fat mass. Glutamine levels were found to alter gene expression in several different cell types, leading to anti-inflammatory effects on white blood cells and T-cells.
By 2030, nearly half of US adults are expected to have obesity, and more than a quarter will have severe obesity. The study predicts that several states will have obesity rates close to 60%, with severe obesity becoming the most common BMI category among low-income adults.
A large study of over 1 million women found that obesity in midlife increases the risk of dementia later in life, while poor diet and lack of exercise are not. The study also revealed short-term associations between these factors and dementia risk may be due to early symptoms of dementia.
A study led by ISGlobal found that living near green spaces reduced the risk of excess weight and obesity in women. Genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions also played a role in the association.
The global food system has led to an intersection of undernutrition and overweight in low- and middle-income countries. More than a third of these countries face the double burden of high levels of both, primarily due to changes in food systems and increasing availability of ultra-processed foods.
Researchers found that labelling food with the amount and type of exercise needed to burn off its calories can lead to a reduction in daily calorie intake. PACE (Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent) labelling was associated with an average reduction of 65 fewer calories per meal, and up to 200 calories less per day.
A study presented at EuroEcho 2019 found that bariatric surgery significantly improved subclinical heart function, reversing abnormal heart structure and function in obese individuals. The surgery also led to improvements in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, resulting in a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study of over 3,300 children reveals Finnish kids excel in motor skills, with significant differences found between countries. Portuguese children have weak motor skills, especially between ages 6-10, while Finland and Belgium outperform in this area.
A recent study found that resistance exercise, alone or combined with aerobic exercise, effectively reduces weight loss-induced decreases in hip bone density. The study suggests that incorporating resistance exercise into weight loss regimens can help protect against bone loss in older adults with obesity.
Patients with excess weight experience predominantly negative interactions during clinical consultations, often feeling judged and dismissively told to lose weight. Supportive language and approach are essential in these conversations to promote a positive experience and encourage healthy behavior change.
A recent study examining the potential link between traffic-related air pollution and obesity found a significant association with higher BMI in Mexican American women. In contrast, exposure to higher traffic pollution was linked to lower BMI in men, but not an increase.
A new study found that Class I drug treatment showed increased rates of AFib reoccurrence in obese patients compared to non-obese patients. The study suggests that obesity hinders the effectiveness of these medications, which could impact ethnic minority populations who are more likely to experience obesity and have poorer outcomes.
A Scripps Research study found that blocking the kappa opioid receptor while on a restricted-calorie diet resulted in significant weight reductions. Blocking this receptor may be a potential treatment approach for obesity.
Scientists at University of Utah Health have discovered new genetic elements that could help control obesity and metabolic disorders. Hibernating mammals have evolved short non-coding DNA snippets near genes linked to obesity in humans.
Research found that obesity and smoking can lead to slower fracture healing and higher disability in patients with wrist fractures. However, the study also showed that clinical and radiographic outcomes are achievable with surgery for displaced wrist fractures in obese and smoking patients.
Researchers discovered that an extract from ginseng can induce Enterococcus faecalis, which produces myristoleic acid to activate brown adipose tissue and reduce adiposity. Increasing BAT activity could be a novel therapeutic approach for obesity and related diseases.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a little-known protein that plays a crucial role in managing glucose and insulin levels in the body. The protein, PGRMC2, acts as a chaperone for heme, a molecule essential for cellular processes, and its absence is linked to obesity and metabolic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago report that robotic kidney transplants produce similar one- and three-year patient survival rates as those seen among nonobese patients. The study included over 230 robotic-assisted kidney transplants in patients with obesity, achieving dramatic reductions in post-surgery wound infections.
A research team found that consuming cholera toxin B stimulates health-protective immune responses that counteract age-associated obesity. The study used animal models and found that the toxin helped restore immune homeostasis and reduce inflammation, leading to leaner physiques and improved health outcomes.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that uninfected adolescents and young adults born to mothers with HIV have a fourfold increased risk of obesity and asthma-like symptoms. The study revealed metabolic and immune consequences of in utero HIV exposure.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 86% of diet trials amended their primary outcomes. This discrepancy raises questions about the rigor of these trials and potential biases. Researchers are calling for more investment in rigorous diet research to pin down the effects of dietary changes.
Researchers found that bariatric weight-loss surgery can release toxic chemicals like PCBs and organochlorine pesticides stored in fat into the bloodstream. Patients born before 1976 showed higher levels of these compounds due to greater exposure to environmental toxins.