Articles tagged with Obesity
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered a novel regulator of body weight: the P75 neurotrophin receptor. Lowering levels of p75 NTR protected mice from developing obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease on a high-fat diet. The receptor plays a key role in regulating metabolic processes that control body weight.
Reducing sugar content in sugar-sweetened drinks by 40% over 5 years could prevent 1.5 million cases of overweight and obesity in the UK and 300,000 cases of diabetes. This reduction would lead to a significant decrease in energy intake and body weight, resulting in a substantial decrease in these health issues.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that nearly one-third of patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery experienced hospitalization due to symptoms such as abdominal pain and fatigue. The risk of symptoms was higher among women, younger patients, smokers, unemployed individuals, and those with surgical symptoms before ...
A study published by The BMJ found that Mexico's 10% sugar sweetened drinks tax led to a 12% reduction in sales and a 4% increase in purchases of untaxed beverages. The findings have important implications for obesity prevention efforts, particularly among low socioeconomic groups.
A University of Exeter study found humans have limited ability to avoid becoming obese, especially in winter. The research suggests that the urge to maintain body fat is stronger in winter when food is scarce.
Researchers found a correlation between low-income neighborhoods and high BMI in Lausanne, Switzerland. The study suggests that urban environment plays a role in obesity, independent of common factors.
A study found that calorie restriction or aerobic exercise training improved ability to exercise without shortness of breath in obese older patients with a common type of heart failure. The combination of exercise and diet resulted in the largest increase in exercise capacity.
A new Boston University study found that most obesity research relying on one-time measures of body mass index (BMI) overlooks the health impacts of weight change over time. The researchers argue that using 'weight histories' in studies clarifies the risks of obesity and shows they are much higher than appreciated.
A physically active lifestyle can substantially decrease the genetic effect of the major obesity gene FTO on body weight in a multiethnic population. Researchers at McMaster University found that physical activity can blunt the effect of inherited obesity genes by up to 75 per cent.
Researchers found that consumers associate 'healthy' foods with less fillingness, leading to increased portion sizes and consumption. Highlighting the nourishing aspects of healthy food can mitigate this bias, providing a potential solution for managing weight.
A recent study found no link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk or severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in elderly men. The study suggests that taking additional vitamin D supplements is unlikely to prevent or improve OSA.
A recent report finds that genetic information and data collection from noninvasive devices can help develop personalized weight management plans. With the falling cost of genome sequencing and portable monitors, scientists have the ability to collect the necessary data but need better analytical tools to analyze it.
A new study found that bariatric surgery can significantly improve type 2 diabetes and reduce high blood pressure. The procedure also prevents 80,000 cases of hypertension, 40,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 5,000 heart attacks over a four-year period.
A new Johns Hopkins study of over 930,000 patient records found that patients undergoing bariatric surgery during winter months fared worse than those in the summer due to lower vitamin D levels. The researchers also noticed a disproportionate number of complications occurred north of latitude 37 degrees.
Dr Eric Robinson's £500,000 grant aims to develop a theoretical model on why portion size affects energy intake. The study seeks to identify optimal reductions in portion size to promote long-term weight loss.
A new study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found that high fitness levels do not offset the increased risk of death associated with obesity. Men with higher aerobic fitness had a lower risk of death compared to those who were obese, regardless of their fitness level.
A NYU nursing study found that obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer-related lymphedema, which can be managed with early and appropriate treatment. The study suggests that general instructions on nutrition-balanced diets and physical activities can help maintain pre-surgery weight.
Researchers at OIST discovered a molecular mechanism involved in storing and burning fat. They found that mice lacking two specific genes remain lean even after eating a high-fat diet due to increased expression of Ucp1, which helps convert stored fat into heat.
Researchers found that increasing energy expenditure with brown or brite/beige fat cells could be an effective way to fight obesity. The study suggests harnessing the body's natural mechanism of converting white fat cells into beige fat cells by using heat production and increasing the sympathetic nervous system's supply of blood vessels.
Overweight and obesity are strong predictors of metabolic syndrome in menopausal women. Women who experienced menopause during the study had a higher risk if they were overweight or obese, with risks increasing by up to 12 times for those who were obese.
Researchers have found a compound that can prevent and reverse fatty liver disease and obesity in mice by targeting the farnesoid X receptor. The compound, Gly-MCA, was tested in obese and diabetic mice fed with a high-fat diet and showed significantly less fat and insulin resistance compared to untreated control groups.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology reveals that bariatric surgery can reduce cardiac stress and chronic subclinical cardiac injury in morbidly obese patients. In contrast, lifestyle intervention had a limited impact on reducing high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I levels.
A study from Simon Fraser University suggests that plus-sized models in advertising campaigns may contribute to growing obesity rates. The researchers found that non-traditional models with larger body types can have a detrimental effect on the public's lifestyle and eating behavior.
A new $4.4 million research project aims to improve diagnosis and therapies for obesity-related health problems, including coronary heart disease, endometrial cancer, type-2 diabetes, and degenerative joint disease. The project will utilize big data analytics and genomics to gain insights into the causes of obesity.
Researchers found that stimulating brain receptors for ghrelin, a hormone that increases appetite, increases food-related behaviors such as gathering and consuming food. Blocking ghrelin receptors in the brain prevents these behaviors, suggesting a crucial role of brain receptors in regulating food intake.
Researchers found that exposure to cold temperatures alters the composition of intestinal bacteria in mice, leading to increased brown and beige fat formation and improved glucose metabolism. Transplanting these microbes into germ-free mice also triggered weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Reducing large food portions could lead to a 12-16% reduction in daily energy intake among UK adults and a 22-29% reduction among US adults. Experts suggest implementing policy changes such as smaller serving sizes, restricted packaging, and pricing practices.
A new approach to treating obesity involves embolizing the gastric artery to suppress appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin. Initial results show that three out of five morbidly obese patients experienced significant weight loss, including one patient who lost 50 pounds in nine months.
A randomized trial found that metformin did not improve glycemic control after 6 months, despite reducing weight gain and insulin doses. The study included 140 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, aged 12-19 years, and was conducted at 26 pediatric endocrinology clinics.
A nationally representative survey of over 7,000 people in India reveals that more than one in four older individuals on low and middling incomes have an unhealthy midriff bulge. Women are particularly prone to central adiposity, with a significant portion carrying an unhealthy spare tyre.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified Th17 cells and Th1 as key players in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes. The study reveals a biomarker that can predict the development of Type 2 diabetes in 75% of people with obesity, offering new potential targets for prevention.
A new report reveals that fewer than one in three hospitals employ a full-time doctor specializing in liver medicine, leading to a postcode lottery for patients. The UK's specialist liver centres provide excellent care but are not evenly distributed, resulting in poor patient outcomes and a lack of access to specialist care.
A study found a strong association between obesity and an increased need for surgery, longer hospital stays, and higher treatment costs in orthopaedic trauma patients. Patients with obesity were more likely to be discharged to a care facility rather than home.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that weekday sleep changes may raise the risk of developing metabolic problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Researchers discovered a link between social jetlag, which refers to the mismatch between an individual's biological...
A nationwide study in Mexico found that diabetes incidence doubled every 10 years from 1960 to 2012, and up to 23% of the population could be diagnosed with the disease by 2050. The study highlights the need for comprehensive prevention strategies to reverse trends.
Achieving a healthy weight before becoming pregnant significantly reduces the risk of infant death in the first year of life. Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy also plays a crucial role in infant mortality.
Researchers found obesity and Type 2 diabetes negatively impact bone health, while exercise prevents weight gain, diabetes, and increases bone strength. This study informs interventions to improve bone health in individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers investigated skin samples from pregnant women with recent-formed stretch marks, finding disrupted elastic fibers that remain damaged after giving birth. The study suggests that preserving existing elastic fibers may be a more effective approach than repairing damaged ones within stretch marks.
A new study by Rice University and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte found that overweight men experience subtle yet statistically significant interpersonal discrimination in employment settings. This bias can impact their chances of getting hired or being treated fairly as customers.
Scientists from Université de Genève found that depleting the gut microbiota triggers a metabolic mechanism that transforms white fat cells into beige fat, reducing obesity and insulin resistance. This discovery could lead to new anti-obesity treatments.
A new study by Berkeley Lab researchers has identified genetic factors that influence motor performance and body weight in a genetically diverse group of mice. The findings show significant overlaps with genes related to neurological disorders and obesity in humans, providing a new framework for studying these connections.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that normal-weight individuals with central obesity have twice the mortality risk as those who are overweight or obese. Researchers examined data from over 15,000 participants and concluded that lifestyle modification strategies may be crucial for this population.
Researchers found that short bursts of light physical activity, such as walking breaks or desk exercises, reduced systolic blood pressure by 10 and 12 points respectively. This study provides evidence for the benefits of breaking sedentary behavior in people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that negative body image significantly increases adolescent obesity risk, regardless of depression status. Participants who perceived themselves as overweight were twice as likely to be obese a year after the survey.
A 12-month study found that the COPE Healthy Lifestyles TEEN Program significantly reduced body mass index and alleviated severe depression in teens. The program, based on cognitive behavioral therapy, teaches adolescents skills to manage negative beliefs and engage in healthy behaviors.
A Japanese study found that bus/train commuters were 44% less likely to be overweight, 27% less likely to have high blood pressure, and 34% less likely to have diabetes compared to drivers. Regular public transportation use may also encourage longer walks to and from the train or bus station.
Australian researchers have defined key characteristics of metabolically healthy obesity, shedding light on the paradox. They found that obese individuals sensitive to insulin in muscle or liver are metabolically healthier, with lower blood pressure and less deep abdominal fat. This discovery provides significant insight into human ins...
A Cornell University study suggests that diet and physical activity are key factors in managing weight, rather than eliminating specific foods like junk food. The research found that intake of soda, candy, and fast food is not linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) for most adults, except those at the extreme ends of the BMI spectrum.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that using a cell phone app to track exercise and calories did not result in significant weight loss for overweight young adults. In contrast, those who received personal coaching lost more weight over time.
Prescription drug use increased by 8% to 59% among US adults between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012, with notable increases in hypertension and hyperlipidemia treatments. The prevalence of polypharmacy also rose from 8% to 15%.
A study by the American Cancer Society found that standing for at least one-quarter of the day was associated with lower odds of obesity. Standing time was also linked to reduced metabolic risk, particularly when combined with physical activity.
A study of 7,699 fast food diners in NYC and NJ found that calorie labels don't reduce overall calories consumed. While some consumers notice and respond to calorie counts, awareness decreases over time, suggesting a need for multi-faceted approaches to address obesity.
A recent study suggests that obese individuals with metabolic syndrome may be chronically deficient in vitamin E, which is crucial for combating oxidative stress and associated diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's. Experts recommend a balanced diet with daily multivitamins and healthy fats to mitigate this deficiency.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute discovered a subtype of immune cells that prevent metabolic syndrome by regulating inflammation-causing T cells. Mice lacking these cells became overweight and developed symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
A study by RAND Corporation found that opening a full-service grocery store in a food desert improves residents' diet and perceived access to healthy foods, yet the changes are not related to the store's use. Despite this, researchers observed positive improvements in multiple components of residents' diet.
Severe obesity costs Medicaid nearly $8 billion annually, with research predicting continued growth due to expanded eligibility. States can slow the rise in obesity-related healthcare costs by identifying effective prevention and treatment services.
Researchers discover a protein called Casein Kinase 2 that prevents white fat from burning energy in cold conditions. Inhibiting this molecule boosts metabolism and reduces weight gain in mice fed high-fat diets.
A recent UTMB study found that severely obese pregnant women who maintained or lost weight during pregnancy had lower healthcare costs and healthier infant outcomes. The study compared 82 obese mothers with 85 healthy-weight mothers, finding that infants of obese mothers who lost weight were less likely to experience complications.
A panel of markers has been discovered that can identify pre-diabetes by measuring fatty acids in blood, allowing for early warning and lifestyle change. The levels of these fatty acids can change up to 10 years before diagnosis, making it a potential tool for predicting the risk of developing pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
A new study published in Social Science & Medicine suggests that having skills and freedom at work is linked to lower BMI and smaller waist size, while needing to make many decisions is linked to bigger waist size. The findings highlight the importance of considering job control components separately when assessing their impact on health.