Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that women who gained more than one BMI unit between pregnancies had a doubled risk of developing gestational diabetes. The increased risks were strongest in women with a low BMI, and evidence suggested that reducing weight between pregnancies can help prevent GDM.
Patients who undergo bariatric surgery are more likely to achieve a BMI of less than 30 if they have a preoperative BMI of less than 40. However, delaying surgery until higher weights can result in inferior outcomes.
A large new study shows that only one in three patients who have bariatric surgery succeed in getting their body-mass index below 30 in the first year. Patients with lower BMIs before surgery had higher odds of achieving this goal and better health outcomes, including stopping medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Loma Linda University researchers found four factors associated with decreased body mass index: single or dual meals, overnight fasting up to 18 hours, breakfast instead of skipping it, and making breakfast the largest meal of the day. Making breakfast the largest meal resulted in a more significant decrease in BMI compared to lunch.
A study published by The BMJ finds that healthy eating and physical activity during pregnancy limits weight gain and lowers the odds of having a caesarean section. The benefits are consistent regardless of age, ethnicity, BMI, or underlying medical conditions.
A new study found that children born prematurely to mothers who were overweight or obese before pregnancy are at higher risk for low cognitive scores and difficulties with self-regulation. The study suggests that behavioral interventions to reduce pre-pregnancy weight may help mitigate these impairments.
A large-scale study found that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The study, which included over 119,000 participants, also showed that higher BMI was linked to higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Researchers propose guidelines for semi-autonomous systems, including veto control and data protection. The possibility of 'brainjacking' also raises concerns about security solutions.
A Swedish study published in Neurology found that teenage weight gain is associated with a higher risk of stroke in adulthood. The study followed 37,669 men and found that those who experienced a significant increase in BMI from childhood to age 20 were more likely to develop high blood pressure and stroke.
A new Israeli study found that higher BMI and even normal-weight adolescents are at increased risk of death from non-coronary cardiovascular diseases. Researchers analyzed data from over 2 million adolescents, showing a significant association between adolescent obesity and mid-life cardiovascular mortality.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that moderate-intensity exercise reduced the risk of major mobility disability by 31% in older adults with extreme obesity. The structured physical activity program improved participants' ability to perform common daily activities, such as walking a block around the neighborhood.
A new study from the University of Bath's School of Management shows that marriage is associated with weight gain in men, adding approximately three pounds to their BMI. The early days of fatherhood also contribute to this effect, while a decrease in male BMI is observed during the period just before and after divorce.
The USPSTF recommends screening for obesity in children and adolescents 6 years old and older, offering comprehensive behavioral interventions to promote weight improvements. This recommendation is based on moderate certainty, as screening can lead to small harms but also improve weight status with moderate net benefits.
A University of Alberta research team found that patients with obesity have a higher risk of infection within 30 days after heart bypass surgery, and 88% of these patients received non-surgical PCI. This increased risk may be due to the fact that patients with obesity are more likely to receive PCI.
A population study found that being overweight or obese, as defined by body mass index, abdominal obesity, and higher body fat percentage, is associated with a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women. In contrast, no clear association was found between RA risk and BMI criteria for men.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that genetic variants associated with higher body mass index (BMI) are linked to lower risk of Parkinson disease. The researchers used a Mendelian randomization approach to examine the relationship between BMI and Parkinson disease, and found an 18% lower risk of Parkinson disease amon...
A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that female runners with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 19 are more likely to develop stress fractures. Lighter women who suffered stress fractures took longer to recover, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy BMI through resistance training.
A new study reveals that 30% of the world's population is affected by weight problems, resulting in over 4 million deaths attributed to excess body weight. The study found that nearly 40% of these deaths occurred among people with a BMI below the threshold for obesity, highlighting the risks associated with being overweight or obese.
A recent Danish study found that maternal daily consumption of artificially-sweetened beverages during pregnancy was associated with a higher body mass index score and increased risk of overweight/obesity at 7 years. This study suggests that substituting SSBs with artifically sweetened beverages may increase offspring obesity risk.
A study found that obese patients undergoing shoulder joint replacement surgery are at increased risk of complications, including the need for revision surgery and postoperative infections. The risk of revision surgery increases steadily with increasing body mass index (BMI) in obese patients.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that women who gained more than the recommended weight during pregnancy were at a higher risk of small for gestational age, preterm birth, and cesarean delivery. In contrast, those who gained less than the recommended weight had a lower risk of large for gestational age and macrosomia.
A new study found that two interventions, one providing enhanced primary care and the other coaching, improved BMI and parents' sense of empowerment. Both programs also increased parents' confidence in addressing their child's weight problem.
Researchers found that higher body mass index (BMI) can cause worse cardiovascular health in young adults as young as 17, according to a study using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The study suggests that tackling obesity from an early age may help prevent cardiovascular changes that are precursors to car...
A new study found that smokers without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience vascular pruning, or the reduction of distal pulmonary blood vessels, are at a higher risk of death. Vascular pruning was not associated with an increased risk of death in smokers with COPD.
Research published in the British Journal of Cancer found that carrying excess body fat can increase cancer risk, with waistline and hip measurements being key indicators. The study combined data from over 43,000 participants and found that adding just 11cm to the waistline increased obesity-related cancer risk by 13%.
Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam identified 52 genes associated with intelligence, including 40 previously unknown discoveries. The study reveals a correlation between genetic influences on intelligence and educational attainment, as well as traits like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
A new study published in the European Congress on Obesity reveals strong and direct effects of parental BMI, low income, and smoking on a child's future BMI and risk of overweight. The research controlled for birthweight and early life BMI to show that these factors have a lasting impact.
A high protein intake in early childhood is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) due to increased body fat, not fat-free mass. The study found that children who consumed more animal-based protein sources were taller and heavier.
Achieving moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines, reducing TV viewing time, and ensuring adequate sleep duration are associated with lower BMI and body fat in children. Meeting these guidelines can reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems.
A new study found that higher body fat was linked with increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Waist circumference and BMI were shown to provide similar information on risk as more direct measures of different types of body fat, indicating these simple measures may be reliable for assessing an individual's risk.
A study tracking body mass index over 16 years found that women who are divorced, separated, or widowed and smokers are at high risk of becoming overweight or obese. Measuring rates of weight gain between 18-23 years old could help identify those who need assistance with prevention.
A study of over 16,000 healthy adults found that those who followed a pro-vegetarian diet had a significantly lower risk of developing obesity. The researchers found that participants with the most vegetarian diet had a 43% reduced risk of obesity compared to those with the least vegetarian diet.
Research shows that lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher BMI due to psychological distress and emotional eating. The study found that resilience did not moderate the effect, suggesting a need for alternative coping strategies to reduce obesity in low-income populations.
A new swallowable gastric balloon, Elipse Balloon, has been shown to be safe and effective for inducing substantial weight loss in obese individuals. The study found a mean weight loss of 15.2 kg after 16 weeks, with significant reductions also observed in comorbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
A recent study of 160 participants found that being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of having poor oral health. Patients with obesity were almost 6-times more likely to have severe periodontitis compared to normal-weight individuals.
A new study provides scientific evidence to help healthcare professionals choose the right cushioning material for prescription footwear. The findings highlight the importance of considering a person's weight and body mass index (BMI) when selecting materials to reduce pressure.
Researchers found that years of gradual weight gain more than doubles the risk of hypertensive disorders, including high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, during pregnancy. Women who gained moderate to high annual weight gains had a higher risk of developing hypertensive disorders.
Researchers propose TMI as an alternative to BMI z scores for screening obesity in kids, citing its potential accuracy benefits
Researchers found that tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) estimates body fat more accurately than traditional BMI in adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17. The study compared TMI to several different obesity indices, finding that it is the best overall body fat index for Caucasian adolescents.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from over 95,000 participants to examine the association between Alzheimer's disease and low BMI. The study found no causal relationship, suggesting that individuals with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have low BMIs due to weight loss in the early stages of the disease.
A new study found that a garden-enhanced intervention improved BMI and nutrition knowledge among upper elementary students in California. The Shaping Healthy Choices Program showed significant improvements in nutrition knowledge and vegetable identification, but not in fruit and vegetable intake or parenting practices. However, body me...
Researchers found that Amish women exposed to secondhand smoke had a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, while men exposed to secondhand smoke tended to have a higher body mass index (BMI). The study, conducted in a Pennsylvania Amish community, used a novel method to track exposure and avoided recall bias. Small amounts of second...
Research found that having excess abdominal fat is associated with a higher risk of mental decline, while weight loss or gain does not impact cognition. The study also suggests combining waist measurements with BMI may be a more accurate way to predict cognitive decline.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that preschoolers who recognize food brand logos are more likely to be overweight. The study showed that children with higher BMI percentiles recognized unhealthy foods like M&M's and Coca-Cola more often than healthy-weight peers.
Consuming avocados may be associated with better diet quality, higher intake of essential nutrients, lower body weight, lower BMI, and smaller waist circumference. Avocado consumers also have lower insulin and homocysteine levels, as well as a reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome.
A new study found that body mass index (BMI), sex of the patient, and symptom profile can help doctors select the most effective antidepressant. Patients with higher BMI had a better response to treatment, particularly for women, while those with lower BMI were more likely to remit on venlafaxine-XR.
A new study has found that children with obesity are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes by age 25 compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study examined data from over 369,000 children and teenagers in the UK and found a significant increase in type 2 diabetes cases between 1994 and 2013.
Using HEART score to risk stratify patients with chest pain is safe and effective. However, its underutilization in emergency department (ED) settings may contribute to its limited impact on healthcare costs, which could be improved by reducing unnecessary admissions and testing.
Researchers observed lower body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure among low-income individuals living in the city's noisiest neighborhoods. The study suggests that neighborhood noise may have an indirect impact on health, potentially due to increased physical activity resulting from walkability.
A meta-analysis of 288,981 participants found that obesity and being underweight are associated with a higher risk of migraine. Obese individuals were 27% more likely to have migraine than those of normal weight, while underweight individuals were 13% more likely.
The study found a consistent association between overweight and obesity with sickness absence, regardless of metabolic health status. Obese workers were 37% more likely to take sick leave for non-work-related illnesses than their healthy-weight colleagues.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that regular exercise, not body mass index, predicts a person's level of disability after a stroke. Exercise was defined as vigorous physical activity three times a week or more, and participants who exercised regularly were more likely to be independent before and after stroke.
Research tracked over 3,000 women and found that small weight gains within the healthy BMI range doubled their risk of gestational diabetes compared to those with stable weights. Women who gained more than 2.5% of their body weight each year had almost triple the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroid use is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and an increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in women. Corticosteroid users had a 1.4-fold elevated likelihood of having the metabolic syndrome, with nearly a point higher BMI.
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery who have higher levels of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) lose significantly more excess weight than those with normal T3 levels. This finding underscores the potential for thyroid hormone treatment after bariatric surgery.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that individuals with a maximum BMI in the overweight or obese categories had an elevated risk for all-cause death and deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. Participants who experienced significant weight loss were at the highest risk for death.
A nationwide Swedish study found that maternal overweight or obesity in early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of childhood epilepsy. The risk increased by 11-82% depending on the level of maternal obesity, with grade III obesity linked to an 82% increased risk.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that being overweight at any point in adulthood increases the risk of death from various causes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Researchers analyzed weight history over 16 years and found that people with a maximum BMI in the overweight or obese categories were at ele...
A study led by the University of California - San Francisco found that South Asians and Hispanics of normal weight are more likely to have high glucose and hypertension compared to whites. The researchers found that non-whites need lower BMI levels to match the cardio-metabolic risks of whites with a higher BMI.
Researchers compare arm anthropometry measures to BMI to determine nutritional status in leukemia survivors. Arm measurements distinguish between fat and muscle mass, providing a valuable tool for assessing muscle loss.