Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A study of over 56,000 people born in Britain from 1946 to 2001 found that most of the rise in BMI has been due to increases at the upper end of the distribution, with childhood obesity more prevalent among younger generations. The age at which adults enter the overweight range decreased over time.
A new study suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation can help reduce body mass index, improve pulmonary function, and decrease OSA severity in newly diagnosed patients. The treatment was found to be beneficial in addition to CPAP therapy.
Researchers found that switching from driving to walking, cycling, or public transport can lead to a significant reduction in BMI (0.32 kg/m2) over two years. The longer the commute, the stronger the association with weight loss.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who experience weight loss are at higher risk of early death. The study's findings suggest a potential link between unintentional weight loss and mortality in this patient population.
A retrospective review of 633 patients found that younger age, small body weight, and certain valve types significantly increased the risk of re-intervention. Patients under 18 years old had a five times greater risk than adults, with younger children being more likely to require surgical or cardiac catheterization re-interventions.
A Swedish study found that maternal overweight and obesity increases the risk of type 1 diabetes in children when neither parent has diabetes. The study, published in Diabetologia, suggests that reducing maternal weight before and during pregnancy could lower the incidence of T1D.
A recent study found that an obesity intervention program with computerized clinical decision support and health coaching resulted in significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) among children. The greatest improvements were seen in children whose families and pediatricians were most faithful to the program.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that two interventions combining up-to-date guidelines and family support reduced one-year weight gain in obese children. Clinicians who received clinical decision-support tools had better outcomes, while families who received coaching showed significant improvements in BMI.
Research published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggests that being underweight in middle age is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. In contrast, obese middle-aged individuals are nearly 30% less likely to develop dementia than those of a healthy weight, contradicting previous research findings.
A two-year study found that workplace wellness programs can effectively reduce the number of people considered overweight or obese by almost 9 percent. Employee involvement in designing and participating in these programs was key to driving broader participation and meaningful improvements in health.
A Mayo Clinic study found that frequent attendance at work site wellness centers led to significant weight loss and healthcare cost savings. Members who visited the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) more than 360 times were 72% more likely to experience weight loss, with corresponding reductions in healthcare costs.
A new study found that obese women who develop gestational diabetes are 43 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they gain 5 kg or more after pregnancy. The research emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight before and after pregnancy to prevent type 2 diabetes.
A new study by the University of Vermont found that watching food TV can lead to weight gain, particularly among women who cook from scratch. The study suggests that food networks should use healthier recipes and promote cooking from scratch for optimal health benefits.
Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that infant BMI-childhood obesity relationship is strong in African-American children. A better understanding of infancy growth patterns can lead to more effective early efforts at obesity prevention.
Researchers found depression to be a strong predictor of both dietary quality and BMI in low-income residents. Depression was associated with lower scores in dietary quality and higher BMI scores, suggesting mental health interventions could have broader benefits in this population.
Obesity in seniors is associated with increased hospitalizations, emergency room admissions, and outpatient healthcare use. The most severely obese group had 3.4 times the odds of inpatient admission and 1.4 times the odds of ER visit compared to healthy-weight individuals.
A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that people with a history of gout have a 24% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers analyzed data from over 3.7 million people and found this protective effect, possibly due to uric acid's antioxidant properties.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found a strong association between adolescent BMI and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The study, which examined over 715,000 Israeli adolescents, revealed a significant increase in obesity rates and high blood pressure among teens.
Researchers analyzed genetic samples from over 300,000 individuals to find genetic variations associated with obesity traits. They discovered 140 locations across the genome that play roles in various obesity traits, including waist-to-hip circumference ratio.
A Danish study found that children with higher BMI between 9-13 years old were more likely to develop oesophageal cancer later in life. The study suggests that childhood obesity may be directly linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer as adults, and highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in children.
A new study found that surgical treatment provides significant benefit for lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis in patients over 80, with comparable complication rates to younger patients. The benefits of surgery were similar to those in younger patients, except for pain and physical function outcomes.
A recent study found that bariatric surgery increases life expectancy for most obese diabetic patients, but decreases it for those with very high body mass indexes. For patients with a BMI over 62, the benefit of surgery is minimal.
Patients undergoing duodenal switch experienced greater weight loss and improvements in blood lipids, but also faced higher rates of nutritional complications. In contrast, gastric bypass resulted in better health-related quality of life for patients with severe obesity.
A new study found that frequent consumption of sugary drinks is associated with an earlier onset of menstruation in girls. The researchers followed 5583 girls aged 9-14 years and found that those who drank more than 1.5 servings of sugary drinks per day had their first period 2.7 months earlier.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that physical inactivity is responsible for twice as many deaths as obesity. The researchers analyzed data from over 334,000 European men and women and found that even a small increase in physical activity can have significant health benefits.
Preschoolers who entered Head Start overweight or obese achieved a healthier weight status by kindergarten age compared to comparison groups. The study found that Head Start's high-quality meals, physical activity opportunities, and structure may positively influence children's BMIs.
A study published in Diabetologia found that black women working night shifts are more likely to develop diabetes than those who never work at night. The study revealed a stronger association in younger women, with increased risks of up to 39% after 10 or more years of night shift work.
A study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced all-cause mortality rates among obese patients, with improved survival at 5 and 10 years post-surgery. The research involved 2,500 surgical patients and 7,462 control patients, and suggests a beneficial relationship between surgery and survival for severely obese adults.
Researchers found a significant impact of the FTO gene variant on body mass index (BMI) that largely depends on birth year, with stronger correlations in later years. The study suggests that broad environmental changes may alter the effect of the gene variant, highlighting the importance of considering time of birth in genetic studies.
The American Diabetes Association has lowered its recommended BMI cut point for type 2 diabetes screening in Asian Americans from 25 kg/m2 to 23 kg/m2. This change is based on evidence that many Asian Americans develop the disease at lower BMI levels than other populations.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that obese heart failure patients have better survival rates than normal-weight patients. Over a 10-year follow-up period, 38% of obese and 45% of overweight patients died compared to 51% of normal weight patients.
A new analysis shows that parents of children involved in an elementary school-based community intervention to prevent obesity appear to share in its health benefits. The study found a modest decrease in body mass index (BMI) among parents compared to those in control communities.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that frequent weigh-ins are essential for weight loss, with participants who weighed themselves once a week losing more weight than those who didn't. The researchers suggest weighing oneself every day can help stay on track and find the optimal time to weigh, such as Wednesday, for an accurate reading.
A study of nearly 15,000 middle-aged men and women found that those with the highest waist-to-hip ratio were twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death as those with a normal ratio. The risk was strongly associated with central obesity, particularly around the midriff, which is thought to contribute to inflammation.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that even within the normal BMI range, excess fat has a negative impact on cardiometabolic risk markers. The researchers used Mendelian randomization to assess the effect of BMI increases on metabolic abnormalities in 12,664 young adults.
A genetic variant linked to heavy smoking is associated with lower BMI in current smokers but higher BMI in people who have never smoked. This difference suggests the variant influences BMI via pathways other than smoking.
A Swedish-US research team analyzed over 1.8 million births to find that maternal overweight and obesity increase infant mortality risk, with grade 2-3 obesity linked to more than doubled infant deaths. The study found modest increased risks for overweight mothers and significant increases for those with severe obesity.
A study found that obesity causes subclinical heart muscle injury and increases the risk for heart failure, even in people without overt heart disease. Obesity was independently associated with increased troponin levels, a marker of heart damage.
A study found that excess fat around the heart, measured by epicardial adipose tissue volume, is more closely associated with atrial fibrillation than BMI. The layer of fat was shown to correlate with scarring in the left atrium, increasing the risk of irregular heartbeat.
Researchers found that patients with underweight or overweight/obese BMIs were less likely to achieve sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis. The study also identified other contributing factors, such as smoking and response to treatment, that can impact patient outcomes.
A new study has found that weight loss of 10 percent or more in seniors substantially increases the risk of hip fractures. The Singapore Chinese Health Study found that body weight changes were associated with a significant increase in hip fracture risk, whereas weight gain did not reduce risk significantly.
A Canadian study found that men, seniors, and smokers are among the most likely to forego bariatric surgery, despite not being turned away due to payment. Researchers are now exploring why these patients drop out to improve operational efficiency and provide proper support.
A genetic analysis of childhood obesity found a strong link between genetic susceptibility and body size, shedding light on the causes of this complex condition. The study identified specific genetic markers associated with increased risk of obesity in children, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
A study published in Neurology found that women with a healthy diet and lifestyle had a 54-percent lower risk of stroke compared to those with none of the five healthy factors. The study looked at factors such as diet, physical activity, and body mass index.
A recent study by American Cancer Society researchers reveals that the increased risk of premature death associated with higher body mass index (BMI) is similar for African Americans and whites. The analysis included approximately one million men and women, showing that excess body weight significantly increases mortality rates.
Research suggests that self-compassion is crucial for maintaining a positive body image, despite weight fluctuations. Women with higher levels of self-compassion exhibit better eating habits and fewer concerns about weight, body shape or eating.
A recent study by Brandeis University found that overweight individuals experience higher levels of stress-induced inflammation, which can contribute to chronic diseases. The researchers measured interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in normal-weight and overweight individuals during psychological stress tests.
The prevalence of abdominal obesity and average waist circumference increased significantly among US adults between 1999-2012. The overall age-adjusted average waist circumference rose by 1.2 inches in men and 1.5 inches in women, with significant increases seen across different racial groups.
Research from Rush University Medical Center found that African American women and their female children have the highest obesity prevalence and tend to underestimate their body weight. The study showed a large chasm between biomedical and cultural definitions of body size, with many overweight women not considering themselves 'too fat'.
A collaborative registry and community support approach could improve diabetes care in China, where 12% of adults have diabetes and half are at risk of prediabetes. The disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and cancer unless effective national intervention prevents it.
Bariatric surgery has been shown to prolong life and prompt reductions in weight and associated conditions like diabetes and heart attacks. However, the long-term effectiveness of different procedures is unclear, and more research is needed to standardize reporting and design trials.
A low-carbohydrate diet is more effective than a low-fat diet in reducing body weight and cardiovascular risk factors. The study found that participants on a low-carb diet experienced greater decreases in weight, fat mass, and other cardiovascular risk factors compared to those on a low-fat diet.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that using a rule of thumb to control pouring reduces overconsumption. Men who poured wine with a general guideline poured significantly less than those without one, regardless of their body mass index. This study suggests using a drinking rule can help prevent overdrinking.
A UK study published in the BMJ Group reveals a significant association between active commuting methods (walking, cycling, or using public transport) and lower BMI scores. For men, this equates to a difference of nearly half a stone in weight, while for women, it's around 5.5lb, compared to those who used private transport.
A UK study published in The Lancet found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing 10 common cancers, with over 12,000 cases estimated each year in the UK. The study also estimates that a population-wide 1 kg/m² increase in average BMI could result in an additional 3,790 cases annually.
A literature review published in JAAOS found that patients' activity levels are a strong predictor for orthopedic outcomes. The study highlights the importance of considering activity level when deciding treatment options, as more active patients may be at higher risk of re-injury after surgery.
A study from Duke University found that a weight management program significantly reduced depression in nearly half of low-income black women. The 12-month intervention included personalized goals and behavioral changes, which had no direct impact on weight loss or treatment for depression.
Emerging data suggests that being overweight may actually protect patients from cardiovascular mortality, with the risk of total and cardiovascular mortality highest among underweight individuals. Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with more favorable outcomes in many acute and chronic disease states.
A new study found that nearly half of obese and overweight US firefighters do not receive weight management advice from their healthcare providers. Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with recommendations to lose weight, while younger firefighters were less likely to receive weight loss advice.
A new study published in The BMJ suggests that reducing alcohol consumption, even for light-to-moderate drinkers, could be linked to improved cardiovascular health. Individuals carrying a genetic variant associated with lower alcohol consumption had a 10% lower risk of coronary heart disease and other health issues.