Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
Underweight patients face a significantly higher risk of death after emergency general surgery, with a 92% increased odds compared to normal-weight patients. Those who are both underweight and frail have the worst clinical outcomes, including longer hospital stays and higher readmission rates.
A preliminary study led by UC San Francisco found that reducing ultra-processed food intake significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants, who reduced their intake by over 85%.
Researchers tracked 1,000 children's BMI growth from 1 to 8 years, finding distinct patterns linked to higher cardiometabolic risk, including persistent obesity and late-onset obesity. The study suggests that early childhood growth patterns are crucial for identifying children at risk of later cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
A new study from Florida International University found that preschoolers with a higher body mass index (BMI) showed differences in brain regions involved in reward, taste, and hunger. The study suggests that the relationship between obesity risk and brain development may begin years earlier than previously thought.
A study found that adolescents with a high body mass index may age biologically faster, increasing their risk of developing obesity-related diseases and premature death. The study's findings suggest a link between genetic predisposition to high BMI and accelerated biological aging.
A study of 6,905 US adults aged 65 or older found that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with lower mortality risk, while higher waist circumference was linked to higher mortality risk. Considering both BMI and waist circumference together may improve mortality risk assessment and support informed clinical decision-making.
A case-control study found that patients with overweight or obesity at diagnosis had better survival rates than those with normal weight. However, the apparent advantage was largely due to prediagnostic weight loss associated with cancer, and should not be taken as evidence for weight gain in healthy individuals.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that waist circumference measures nearly as accurately as a new obesity definition incorporating multiple body measurements, identifying potential health risks earlier. Waist measurement can provide a practical tool for clinicians and patients to detect unhealthy amounts of body fat.
A new international study defines clinical obesity as a significant predictor of increased disease burden, operative risk, and cardiovascular risk in patients undergoing metabolic bariatric surgery. The study found that the majority of patients met criteria for clinical obesity, while a minority had preclinical obesity.
A new study published in JACC suggests that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide critical information about cardiovascular risk, even among people with a normal BMI. Individuals with elevated central adiposity were associated with higher risks for most outcomes, regardless of their weight status.
Adults with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of fragility fractures, but new research found GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce this risk by 21% compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. The largest reductions occurred in hip, femur, and spine fractures.
This study examines associations between early life BMI and childbirth timing, as well as fertility outcomes among Danish women. Childhood body size is found to be associated with the timing of childbirth, highlighting the importance of addressing reproductive health early in life.
A recent study found that a higher body fat percentage is linked to lower sperm counts and changes in male reproductive hormones. Men with high body fat percentages had lower semen volume, sperm concentration, and testosterone levels compared to those with normal body fat percentages.
A new Global Burden of Disease study found that people are spending more years living with chronic disease and disability as global life expectancy increases. The analysis revealed that high-income countries face the widest morbidity gaps, while women consistently live longer but spend more years in poor health.
Repeatedly losing and gaining weight accelerates muscle loss in middle-aged people, as found in new UC San Francisco research. The study analyzed MRI scans of 1,433 participants and found that those with fluctuating weights lost nearly four times as much thigh muscle over four years.
Research highlights the significant impact of modifiable risk factors on ischemic heart disease mortality in the US. High body mass index (BMI) and fasting plasma glucose levels have increased attributable risk over the study period, emphasizing the importance of addressing these factors to reduce mortality.
The study found a 37% increase in obesity and a two-fold increase in severe obesity among both adults and youth over 20 years. Obesity rates have major implications for cardiovascular disease and mortality, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to address the rising epidemic.
A new study analyzing 86,000 Norwegian children found that the association between parental body mass index (BMI) and childhood BMI is largely explained by shared genetics. Genetic effects accounted for an estimated 79% of the statistical association between a mother's BMI and her child's BMI at age 8.
The AGA commentary updates the POWER framework to reflect major advances in obesity care, including effective anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery. Gastroenterologists play a crucial role in obesity management, caring for patients with related conditions.
The American College of Physicians recommends semaglutide and tirzepatide as first-line treatments for nonpregnant adults with obesity, while recommending lifestyle modifications including improved nutrition and physical activity. The guideline also emphasizes discussing benefits, harms, costs, and contraindications with patients.
A recent study found that women and individuals with minimal motivation to lose weight experienced greater weight loss on tirzepatide. The research also identified baseline clinical, demographic, and behavioral variables associated with weight loss trajectories over 12 months.
A new meta-analysis from the University of Georgia found tirzepatide to be the most effective GLP-1 medication for weight loss in non-diabetic patients, achieving over 20% weight reduction. Semaglutide and liraglutide were less effective, with weight losses of 15% and 8%, respectively.
A study found that adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonist medications experienced significant decreases in daily step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote exercise alongside obesity treatment.
Researchers at ISTA and Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that environmental factors influenced by parents' genes can significantly impact children's traits like height, body weight, and school performance. The study used genetic and phenotypic data from over 30,000 families to separate direct and indirect genetic effects.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of adults with a normal weight BMI may still be at risk for obesity-related health complications. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors beyond body mass index (BMI) to accurately identify individuals at risk for these conditions.
A study found that BMI significantly understates obesity levels in the US, with up to 50% of overweight individuals reclassified as obese under a new clinical definition. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to adopt this new measure to better identify and treat obesity-related health risks.
A new study published in eBioMedicine found that integrating measurements such as body fat percentage and waist circumference can help identify individuals at high risk of developing obesity-related diseases. The research team analysed data from 489,311 participants and found that those with an adverse adiposity profile despite normal ...
Research found that people with obesity experience fewer pleasant emotions during exercise and are more likely driven by external motives. Positive emotional experiences and intrinsic motivational factors explain both physical activity levels and future exercise intentions.
A study by the University of Gothenburg reveals that changes in gut bacteria composition after bariatric surgery are strongly associated with improved glucose metabolism and insulin release. Patients with type 2 diabetes who achieved improved glycemic control exhibited greater microbial gene richness and enhanced fermentation processes.
Researchers have discovered a new weight-loss mechanism that eliminates the need for GLP-1, reducing gastrointestinal side effects and increasing treatment tolerability. This breakthrough offers hope for patients who struggle with adverse reactions to existing obesity medications.
The European Society of Endocrinology organizes World Hormone Day to educate the public about hormone-related health issues. Global endocrine disorders affect millions worldwide, emphasizing the need for proper hormone balance.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland and Rutgers University found that waist-to-height ratio predicted the risk of hypertension better than body mass index. Waist-to-height ratio-assessed high fat mass was associated with a 50% increased likelihood of elevated blood pressure and an 82% increased likelihood of hypertension.
Researchers found a 21% increased risk of all stroke events for individuals with low birthweight compared to those above median weight. Low birthweight was also linked to increased risks of ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage strokes, independent of gestational age and BMI.
A higher testosterone level does not always indicate well-being in men, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg. Muscle health and inflammation are linked to testosterone levels, but symptoms like fatigue and depression have weaker connections.
A new study published in the journal Nutrients found that the traditional WHO body mass index (BMI) classification system misidentifies significant numbers of people as having overweight or obesity. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), researchers showed that more than one-third of those with obesity defined by BMI were actual...
A new study reveals that excess weight can physically enlarge organs, creating more opportunities for cancer to take hold. The study found that organs grew larger as body weight increased, with the liver growing by 12%, kidneys by 9%, and pancreas by 7% for every 5-point increase in BMI.
A novel study found that using a topical testosterone gel in conjunction with exercise can selectively reduce visceral fat in older women who have suffered a hip fracture. This reduction in visceral fat has beneficial health impacts, including decreased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a high-quality diet, moderate exercise, and low alcohol consumption, was associated with lower cardiometabolic disease risk. The study found that adhering to these healthy behaviors reduced the risk of major cardiometabolic diseases independent of medication use.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide prescriptions increased dramatically between 2018 and 2025, while MBS use rates declined substantially starting in 2023. Recent shifts in MBS use may be more pronounced in certain patient subgroups, such as those seeking sleeve gastrectomy or with lower BMIs.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that the human brain continues to respond to tempting food cues even after eating enough. The research used EEG brain scans to monitor volunteers' brain activity as they played a reward-based learning game with food.
A recent study from WashU Medicine found a strong correlation between parental obesity and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children. Research analyzing data from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children showed that maternal obesity was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in ...
A global study documents the collective ecological memory of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, revealing a consistent pattern of large-bodied bird species disappearing from local environments replaced by smaller-bodied species, with average bird mass declining from 1500g to 535g over eight decades.
A new Cochrane review suggests that intermittent fasting may not be an effective strategy for weight loss in overweight or obese adults. The study found no meaningful difference in weight loss between intermittent fasting and traditional dietary advice or doing nothing, highlighting the need for more research into this area.
Overweight and obese dogs have significantly higher eye pressure than lean dogs, with a 1.9 mmHg increase for every one-unit rise in body condition score. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for protecting a dog's long-term vision and ocular health.
A new study found that strength training is the most effective tool for achieving 'high-quality' weight loss, reducing body fat while preserving and even increasing muscle mass. This type of exercise also reduces waist circumference, a key indicator of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk.
Researchers have quantified the role of obesity in common long-term conditions, showing that losing weight can prevent multiple diseases. Obesity was found to be the main shared cause between ten pairs of commonly occurring conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Women with a genetic predisposition to higher body mass index are at increased risk of all-cause mortality after breast cancer diagnosis. Targeted lifestyle recommendations can mitigate this risk.
A new study reveals that people with an unexpectedly high metabolic BMI have up to a five times higher risk level for diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver. Metabolic BMI is based on advanced metabolomic analyses and identifies obesity-linked changes in metabolism that can be present even at normal weight.
Researchers found that patients with low physical activity levels are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. The study used a lymph scanner to measure tissue water and identified limits for what is considered lymphedema. Regular physical activity may help reduce the risk of lymphedema after head and neck cancer treatment.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg has found that high teenage BMI and poor physical fitness are associated with a higher risk of developing severe bacterial infections in adulthood. The study, which followed over 44,000 men for three decades, shows that even at high normal weight, individuals are already at increased risk.
A study found that reducing body fat percentage improves long-distance running and cross-country skiing performance, but converting body fat into muscle tissue is a more effective way for female athletes to optimize their body composition. Training and dietary habits that promote muscle growth outweigh the benefits of weight loss.
A new trial found that increasing or decreasing sugar intake in a person's diet has no effect on their preference for sweet foods. Researchers suggest that public health advice may need to focus on reducing sugar and energy-dense foods, rather than eliminating all sweet options.
Researchers identified biological markers of inflammation, liver stress, and early damage to brain cells in young adults with obesity. Low blood levels of choline, essential for liver health and long-term brain function, were also found. These findings suggest that metabolic stress and inflammation may begin far earlier than expected.
Researchers found that higher muscle mass combined with a lower visceral fat to muscle ratio tracks with a younger brain age. Building muscle and reducing visceral fat are actionable goals for improving brain health. The study used whole-body MRI and AI algorithms to quantify muscle volume, fat tissue, and brain age.
Combining improved diet quality with increased physical activity significantly reduces body fat, particularly visceral fat, associated with higher risks of diseases. The study found that simultaneous changes in both behaviors result in greater benefits than individual changes.
A large-scale study of over 20,000 elective shoulder replacement surgeries in the UK and Denmark found that higher BMI is not linked to increased risk of death or complications. Underweight patients, however, were found to have a slightly higher risk of death.
Dr. Leanne Redman joins the Charles Perkins Centre to lead research on obesity, diet, and exercise, building on her extensive experience in women's health issues and translational research. With over 300 publications and numerous awards, she will expand the centre's impact on global health.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with higher muscle mass and stronger handgrip are less likely to progress to obesity, organ issues, or death. Grip strength was consistently associated with lower risk across multiple muscle metrics.
Researchers developed innovative blood-based biomarkers to predict long-term blood pressure improvements after bariatric surgery. The study analyzed pre-surgery blood tests and identified top 10 molecules linked to improved blood pressure outcomes.