Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A recent study identified a genetic variant associated with higher BMI levels and increased efficiency of fat storage among Samoans. This 'thrifty' variant, found on chromosome 5, is linked to the islands' high obesity rates and may have evolved as an adaptation to food scarcity in ancient times.
A new study from Duke University found that infants born to obese mothers were 8% larger during the first two years of life compared to those born to healthy-weight mothers. The study also showed a link between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and infant size.
A study of 3.9 million adults found that obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death, with the greatest effect in men. The risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer are all increased, resulting in a three-fold greater excess risk of premature death among men compared to women.
A study of 3,302 women transitioning through menopause found associations between VMS patterns and demographic, reproductive hormone, and psychosocial factors. Women with early onset VMS were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms and poorer health.
A large international study found that being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of dying prematurely, with a BMI of 40.0-<60.0 kg/m2 associated with nearly three-fold risk.
A new study from Tufts University researchers shows that the average weight of offensive linemen in Division III college football conferences has increased nearly 38 percent since 1956. The study highlights the need for post-football lifestyle changes to prevent long-term health complications and emphasizes the importance of helping at...
Researchers discovered that inadequately hydrated obese individuals tend to have a higher BMI, suggesting water intake plays a crucial role in weight management. The study also highlights the importance of staying hydrated for overall health regardless of body mass index.
Standard BMI may underestimate global obesity levels by over 400-500 million, particularly in East Asian populations with slimmer builds. Researchers propose adjusting BMI cutoffs for basal slenderness to better estimate obesity and undernutrition rates worldwide.
A high BMI in youth increases the risk of heart failure, even after adjusting for recent weight changes. Stable weight throughout life may be the best approach to reduce this risk. Excessive weight at a young age puts individuals at a far higher risk of heart failure compared to maintaining a healthy weight.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that teenage body weight is a significant predictor of heart failure risk in adulthood. Men with a BMI of 20 or higher had a significantly increased risk of heart failure, with the risk rising steeply with increasing body weight.
Research of over 1.6 million Swedish men reveals that being overweight as a teenager significantly increases the risk of heart failure in early middle age. The study found a nearly ten-fold increased risk for those with a BMI of 35 or more, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight from an early age.
A 40-year study of nearly 45,000 Swedish men found that being overweight in late adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing severe liver disease later in life. The study adjusted for various confounding factors and found a 64% increased risk for overweight men compared to those with low normal weight.
A study found that breastfeeding for a long duration was associated with lower rates of postweaning antibiotic courses and decreased body mass index (BMI) in later childhood. The benefits may be attributed to the development of intestinal microbiota, which is dependent on an infant's diet.
Researchers found higher levels of saturated fatty acids and lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids in the breasts of postmenopausal women with invasive ductal carcinoma. This may indicate a new risk factor for breast cancer.
A new study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that women who recall their parents commenting on their weight are more prone to being overweight and less satisfied with their weight as adults. Commenting on a daughter's weight can have a negative impact later in life, damaging body image regardless of weight.
A recent study found a small rise in obesity prevalence among US teenagers over the last 25 years, with a notable increase in adolescent obesity between 1988-1994 and 2013-2014. Obesity rates have decreased among younger children but plateaued for older kids before rising again.
People driving over an hour a day are 2.3kg heavier and 1.5cm wider around the waist compared to those who drive less frequently. Men are more likely to experience weight gain due to prolonged car travel, according to research by Australian Catholic University.
A large European study found that higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are associated with an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Men with greater adiposity have a higher risk of aggressive forms of the disease, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
Researchers found that women face a range of barriers to physical activity, including physical challenges and psychological concerns, which vary by weight. A new study suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective in helping women become more physically active.
A whole-person perspective is needed to accurately assess obesity severity, considering factors like muscle mass and ethnicity. The review article suggests staging obesity treatment from stage 0 to stage 4, with intensive lifestyle modification being crucial for preventing disease progression.
Severely obese children are more likely to be ostracized and show signs of depression in first grade, according to a new study. The research found that these children were frequently teased and rejected by peers, leading to emotional health issues.
A five-week middle school obesity prevention program called Students for Nutrition and eXercise (SNaX) helped obese students lose weight over a long term, with an average reduction in body mass index (BMI) of about nine pounds. The program combined environmental changes and peer-led education to promote healthy eating and physical acti...
Researchers found simultaneous changes in response to obesity in almost all tissues studied, including the digestive system and internal organs. The study highlights the burden of overweight and obesity on these systems and may lead to personalized care.
A new 20-year study shows that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness significantly reduce the risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes. The research found an 8-11% increase in fitness level to be associated with a 0.1% lower risk, highlighting the importance of exercise programs for reducing these conditions.
Researchers found that participants with the top quartile of baseline fitness experienced the least annual decline in pulmonary function. Sustained or improved fitness was also associated with the least decline in lung function over 20 years, regardless of obesity and smoking status.
Research reveals a decrease in excess mortality risk associated with obesity since the 1970s, with normal weight individuals now facing higher mortality rates. The study's findings suggest revising overweight categories based on updated data.
A study published in JAMA found that the BMI value associated with lowest all-cause mortality has increased by 3.3 points over three decades, from 1976-1978 to 2003-2013. The risk for all-cause mortality decreased among obese individuals, with an optimal BMI of 27 or greater found in recent cohorts.
A study found that daily consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy may increase infant body mass index (BMI) and the risk of being overweight in early childhood. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 mother-infant pairs, suggests a possible link between NNSs and obesity.
New research shows a significant decrease in childhood overweight and obesity rates in Canada from 2004 to 2013, with weight and body mass index trends also improving. The study suggests that the introduction of BMI growth charts and public awareness campaigns may have contributed to this decline.
A large study published in The BMJ found that people with a heavy body shape from childhood to middle age have the highest mortality rate. Those who remained lean throughout life had the lowest mortality risk, with a 15-year risk of death being 11.8% in women and 20.3% in men.
The study found a significant increase in obesity rates from 1999 to 2014, with no decline in any age group, despite clinical and policy efforts targeting the issue. The data suggests that more than 4.5 million US children and adolescents have severe obesity.
Researchers found an inverse association between muscle fat and physical activity level, as well as a positive link with body mass index. Ultrasound technology proved advantageous for assessing muscle composition, particularly for individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions.
A recent study found that childhood obesity rates in the US have not declined, with severe obesity on the rise among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey and found that 33.4% of children between 2-19 were overweight, with 17.4% having obesity.
Research published in Pediatrics found that a high body mass index (BMI) at 2 months is a strong predictor of obesity at age 2. The study, which analyzed nearly 74,000 infants, showed that BMI outperformed weight-for-length measurements in predicting early childhood obesity.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that certain weight control practices and eating behaviors after bariatric surgery are associated with significant weight loss differences. Developing positive changes in behavior, such as ceasing negative habits or increasing positive ones, can lead to greater weight loss.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that low body mass index increases risk of mortality after acute myocardial infarction, even after controlling for other health factors. The researchers analyzed data from 57,574 elderly patients and found underweight patients had a 13-26% higher risk of death compared to normal weight patients.
A nationwide study of 2.3 million Israeli adolescents found an association between elevated BMI in late adolescence and subsequent cardiovascular mortality in midlife. Even BMI considered 'normal' during adolescence was associated with a graded increase in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
A study published in Economics & Human Biology found that women are the harshest judges of weight in relation to beauty, judging both men and women with higher BMIs as less attractive. Body size also plays a significant role in wage regressions, explaining wages above and beyond beauty.
A St. Michael's Hospital study found that women with low or high body mass indexes who smoked and drank had a two-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with asthma. The research included data from approximately 175,000 people aged 18 to 44 across 51 countries.
New research reveals dramatic worldwide increases in body-mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes, with American Samoa and independent Samoa exhibiting exceptionally high prevalence of both conditions. The studies attribute the rise to factors such as globalization, changing food habits and lifestyles.
A new study found that those who lose more weight are most likely to keep it off, but also experience weight cycling. Patients who lost high percentages of their initial body mass index (BMI) were more likely to maintain their weight loss over time.
A new study from Intermountain Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital found that abdominal obesity, or having an apple-shaped body, is a strong predictor of serious heart disease in diabetic patients. Waist circumference was also shown to be a stronger predictor of left ventricular dysfunction than total body weight or BMI.
A study of nearly 4,000 children found that infants with high BMI as young as 4-6 months are at risk of early-childhood obesity. Infants with BMI above the 85th percentile by 6, 12, or 18 months are strong predictors of severe obesity by age 6.
A new meta-analysis reveals a clear correlation between higher BMI, waist circumference, and the risk of heart failure. Overweight individuals had a 35% increased risk of heart failure compared to normal weight individuals.
A new study predicts severe obesity can be identified at 6 months of age using a simple BMI measurement. Pediatricians are advised to measure BMI during infant well-child visits to identify high-risk children and provide targeted education on healthy lifestyles.
The world is experiencing a shift in global body mass index (BMI) trends, with more people becoming obese than underweight. By 2025, around a fifth of adults worldwide are projected to be obese, with over 6% of men and 9% of women expected to be severely obese.
A recent study found that ultrasound-estimated fat content in muscles is inversely associated with physical activity level and positively associated with body mass index. This non-invasive test could be especially useful for individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions that make other imaging techniques ineffective.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that obese women, even those with higher education, are double the risk of depression compared to normal-weight women. The study used a large population-based sample of healthy women and controlled for various factors, including diet and lifestyle.
The workshop reviews literature on body weight and oral health, teaching participants to measure and interpret weight, height, and other body size indices. It highlights the importance of documenting obesity and underweight in dental settings to identify risk factors for periodontal diseases and dental caries.
A study published in Diabetologia found that bariatric surgery significantly improved type 2 diabetes remission rates compared to an intensive lifestyle and medical intervention. Patients with mild-to-moderate obesity experienced greater weight loss, improved glucose control, and reduced need for diabetes medications after RYGB.
A new study found that adults who commute to work via cycling, walking, or public transport have lower body fat percentage and BMI measures in mid-life. The strongest associations were seen for adults who commuted via bicycle, followed by those who used a combination of modes.
A study of over 30,000 women found that genetically elevated maternal body mass index and blood glucose levels are associated with higher offspring birth weight. In contrast, elevated maternal systolic blood pressure is linked to lower birth weight.
A new study by NYU and Columbia University found that being classified as overweight in school fitness reports does not lead to short-term changes in body mass index for female students. The researchers analyzed data from over 3 million public school students and found a small increase in BMI among those newly identified as overweight.
A new study suggests that having a younger sibling may be associated with a lower risk of obesity by first grade. The research, which tracked 697 children across the U.S., found that children who became big brothers or sisters between 2-4 years old were nearly three times less likely to be obese.
Researchers identified novel gene locations associated with childhood body mass index (BMI) through a meta-analysis of over 47,000 children. The study's findings suggest that genetic variants may not exert their effects only in childhood, but have different effects at different ages.
A study by the BMJ found that shorter height and higher BMI are associated with lower levels of education, job status, and income, particularly among men and women. The research suggests that taller stature is linked to higher social position, while being overweight or short can lead to socioeconomic disadvantages.
A study published in The BMJ found that shorter height in men and higher body mass index (BMI) in women are associated with lower socioeconomic status, including reduced income. The research used genetic data from 120,000 participants to analyze the link between height, weight, and socioeconomic factors.
A new study of 274 patients undergoing total hip replacement found that the surgical approach had no significant impact on pre- or post-surgical pain and function. The results suggest that both anterior and posterior approaches yield excellent, equivalent outcomes for patients.
A study of 1,525 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery found that hypothermia is associated with an increased risk of deep surgical site infections. Patients over 70 and those with lower body mass index (BMI) were more prone to hypothermia.
Researchers found an association between high BMI and poorer performance on a test of episodic memory in young adults. The study suggests that obesity may be linked to changes in brain structure and function, potentially affecting memory and decision-making abilities.