Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A large-scale international study has identified three new gene variants associated with body mass index (BMI) levels in adults, providing fundamental insights into the biology of adult obesity. The study used a versatile gene discovery chip to detect gene variants involved in lipid-related diseases and other disorders.
Research found a significant association between sleep disturbance and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents, including high cholesterol levels, BMI, and hypertension. Poor sleep habits were also linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as consuming more fried foods and exercising less.
The proportion of severely obese Americans has increased by 70% since 2000, with over 15 million adults classified as morbidly obese. The trend is slower than previously reported, suggesting a potential slowdown in the growth of severe obesity.
Researchers found that chronic stress predicts greater increases in body weight over time in both black and white girls. However, the negative effect of chronic stress on black girls' weight may explain racial disparities in obesity levels. The study suggests stress may play a role in the obesity epidemic and racial disparities.
A nationally representative sample of nearly 3,000 children and adolescents found those with higher urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations were more likely to be obese. The study suggests BPA exposure may contribute to obesity in humans, particularly among white children and adolescents.
A study comparing bariatric surgical procedures found that the duodenal switch (DS) achieves better weight loss and controls co-existing illnesses in patients with a BMI over 50. The DS was also associated with lower weight loss failure rates and improved comorbidity control compared to gastric bypass.
Researchers discovered that severely obese women have a higher incidence of eggs with multiple spindles and disorganized chromosomes, reducing fertilization chances. The study highlights an underlying egg problem in women with high body mass index, affecting IVF success rates.
A new study reveals that 46% of obese participants are metabolically healthy, with a 38% lower risk of death from any cause compared to metabolically unhealthy obese peers. The study also found that these individuals have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer by 30-50%.
Research from the European Society of Cardiology reveals that normal-weight individuals with belly fat have a higher death risk than obese individuals. The study found that those with central obesity, even at a normal weight, had the highest cardiovascular death risk and death risk from all causes.
Research by Mayo Clinic found that individuals with a normal body mass index but central obesity have the highest risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. The distribution of body fat is crucial, even in those with normal weight, and waist-to-hip measurements can determine this.
A nationwide Danish cohort study found that obese women are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than healthy weight women. The risk is more pronounced in very obese women, with a hazard ratio of over 3 times the normal risk.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics finds that children who delayed gratification longer at 4 years old had lower body mass indexes (BMI) as adults. Researchers followed up with 164 participants, now in their mid-30s, and found a significant association between childhood self-control and adult BMI.
A study by Michigan State University scholars reveals that poor urban residents travel long distances for healthy food due to inadequate access to amenities. The research highlights the disproportionate impact of urban planning on low-income communities, leading to higher rates of obesity and related health problems.
A study of children with chronic hepatitis C found that those treated with peginterferon alpha experienced significant changes in height, weight, and BMI, which were reversible after treatment cessation. Height-for-age scores did not return to baseline for many children two years after stopping therapy.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that normal-weight teenagers who perceive themselves as fat are more likely to become obese as adults. The researchers analyzed data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, finding a significant association between perceived weight and actual obesity.
A study of 2,625 participants with new diabetes found that those who were normal weight at diagnosis had higher rates of total and noncardiovascular mortality. The researchers suggest that genetic and metabolic factors may contribute to the findings, warranting further research.
New-onset diabetes in normal-weight adults is associated with significantly higher mortality rates compared to overweight/obese individuals. The study found that older adults and non-white participants are more likely to experience normal-weight diabetes, highlighting the need for targeted health screenings.
Research found that 69% of overweight Chinese children underestimated their own weight, while 72% of mothers rated their children as normal or underweight. This highlights the importance of accurate perceptions of weight in preventing childhood obesity.
A new study published in Liver Transplantation found that pediatric liver transplant recipients are at increased risk of graft loss and death from adult organ donors who are severely obese. However, the study also suggests that a BMI of 25-35 kg/m2 is not associated with an increased risk of mortality in this population.
A study by the University of Exeter found that brain activity in response to food images predicted snack consumption, with greater effects on eating than conscious feelings of hunger or desire. Individuals with low self-control were more likely to overeat and gain weight due to a stronger brain response to food cues.
Researchers have developed a new body shape index (ABSI) that combines BMI and waist circumference to predict mortality hazard independently of BMI. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 US adults, finding ABSI to be strongly correlated with death rate.
A recent study found that hormone-suppressing drugs reduce oestrogen levels in obese women, but their levels remain more than double those of normal-weight women. This suggests that overweight and obese women may benefit from changes to their treatment, highlighting the need for personalized care.
A large pregnancy follow-up study found that adolescent boys with higher alcohol consumption, girls using oral contraceptives, and both sexes with high salt intake and BMI had higher blood pressure levels. The study warns that these lifestyle behaviors can lead to adverse health consequences in adulthood.
A study by David Shoham found that students with heavier friends were more likely to gain weight, while those with leaner friends tended to get trimmer. The research suggests that social influence plays a significant role in obesity, and targeted interventions may be necessary to prevent weight gain.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study has found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery. The study, which followed 455 cardiac surgery patients, found that a higher body mass index (BMI) was linked to a greater risk of AKI, with patients weighing more than avera...
A new UCLA study found that obesity and a higher waist circumference reduce risk of adverse outcomes in advanced heart failure patients. Men and women with high BMI and waist circumference had significantly better event-free survival rates than those with normal weight.
A new study found that modified bariatric surgery can resolve or improve Type 2 diabetes in obese and diabetic patients, regardless of body mass index (BMI). The procedure showed high success rates in reducing blood sugar levels and eliminating insulin needs.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all adult patients for obesity and offer intensive behavioral interventions. While medium- to high-intensity counseling produced small short-term improvements in cardiovascular health, the task force concludes that these interventions are more effective when delive...
A recent study by Marisa Censani found that over half of adolescents undergoing evaluation for weight-loss surgery were vitamin D deficient, with severe deficiencies present in 8% of patients. African Americans were most likely to have a deficiency, while Caucasians had the lowest rate.
A study found that adults who underwent weight-loss surgery had a significantly higher risk of developing alcohol use disorders two years after surgery. The study, which followed 1,945 participants, found that the risk was highest among those who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Two studies present findings on racial and ethnic differences in sleep duration, showing white, American-born adults sleep longer than blacks, Hispanics, Indians, and Asians. Research also indicates foreign-born Americans are less likely to report short or long sleep compared to U.S.-born Americans.
A re-analysis of data from the InterAct case-control study found that waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference was a stronger risk factor in women than in men.
A Kaiser Permanente study found a strong association between childhood obesity and the development of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, particularly in non-Hispanic white teenage girls. The condition can result in blindness if left untreated, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
A review of medical records suggests that obese patients present with more advanced stage and aggressive forms of papillary thyroid cancer. The study found that higher BMI was associated with more advanced disease stage at presentation, particularly in the obese and morbidly obese categories.
A retrospective analysis of 104 potential living kidney donors found that morbid obesity impedes kidney donation, with only three out of 23 morbidly obese donors able to successfully lose weight and donate. The study highlights the need for larger studies to assess the impact of obesity on kidney donation and explores ways to increase ...
A new study reveals that obesity is associated with disrupted biological rhythms and social jetlag. The research found that individuals who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for serious metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, due to a lack of sleep and an irregular body-mass index (BMI). The study suggests that lifestyle fact...
A new study found that longer commutes by automobile are associated with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased weight, and other indicators of metabolic risk. Commuting distances greater than 10 miles were linked to high blood pressure.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found a 12-month obesity prevention program for adolescent girls showed small changes in body composition measures. However, the small effects were not statistically significant, but still had potential clinical importance.
A Danish-British study published in PLoS Medicine reveals a direct correlation between high Body Mass Index (BMI) and the risk of developing heart disease. The research, based on data from 75,627 individuals, shows that obesity can damage heart health regardless of other factors.
A new study examining sleep and body mass index (BMI) in twins found that sleeping more than nine hours a night suppresses genetic influences on body weight. Genetic influences accounted for 70% of BMI differences in short sleepers, while extended sleep reduced these factors.
A Mendelian randomization analysis found a continuous association between increased BMI and risk for ischemic heart disease, with no threshold below which BMI increase has no effect on IHD risk. The study's findings have important implications for public health policy.
New research published in PLOS Medicine reveals a strong link between body mass index (BMI) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk. A significant increase in BMI was found to elevate the risk of developing IHD by 50% on average, highlighting the importance of addressing obesity levels in reducing cardiovascular risk.
A new study by The University of Manchester found that obese women face discrimination in the job market, receiving lower starting salaries than their non-overweight colleagues. Body image and conservative personalities were also linked to obesity discrimination.
Researchers found that consuming out-of-hand nuts led to higher intakes of healthy fats, fiber, and lower carbohydrate intake. This was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and low HDL cholesterol levels in both children and adults.
A study analyzing data from 47 studies found that increasing height increases the risk of ovarian cancer by 3% per decade. For body mass index, risks vary depending on whether women have taken menopausal hormone therapy, with an attenuated relationship in never-users.
A study found that waist measures, including waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, are associated with lipid and blood pressure assessments in overweight and obese adolescents. In contrast, body mass index alone did not show strong associations with these health markers.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) substantially under-diagnoses obesity in the US, with 39% of Americans classified as overweight being actually obese. The researchers suggest using leptin levels in conjunction with BMI to provide a more accurate measure of adiposity.
A recent NIH study found that women take longer to give birth today compared to 50 years ago, with an average increase of 2.6 hours for first-time mothers. The study suggests that changes in delivery practices, including the increased use of epidural anesthesia and oxytocin, may be contributing to the longer labor duration.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found no link between body mass index (BMI) and post-surgical complications or survival rates among esophageal cancer patients. The study, published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, included 303 patients treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
A new study by the University of California, San Diego, suggests that regular chocolate eaters are actually thinner than those who don't consume chocolate regularly. The research found a modest but significant association between chocolate consumption and lower body mass index, regardless of calorie intake or exercise habits.
A study of 1018 adults found that those who consumed chocolate more frequently had a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to those who ate it less often. The researchers also found a positive association between chocolate consumption and improved metabolic health, including lower blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.
Researchers found that walking briskly for an hour a day can reduce the genetic influence towards obesity by half. In contrast, watching TV for four hours a day increases the genetic influence by 50 percent.
Researchers found an association between H. pylori bacteria and elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes. Obesity was a significant risk factor, suggesting the bacteria may play a role in developing diabetes in adults.
A recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found a significant association between H. pylori bacteria and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in adults, particularly those with obesity. This link suggests that the bacteria may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Experts weigh the benefits and drawbacks of routine BMI screening in schools, considering data sharing with parents. The discussion aims to empower individuals, families, and educators to address childhood obesity through compassionate and constructive strategies.
A large study found that overweight and obese adults are more likely to have disc degeneration than those with a normal body mass index. Disc degeneration was associated with an increased number of levels of degenerated disks and greater severity of disc degeneration, including narrowing of the disc space.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that physicians' body mass index (BMI) influences obesity diagnosis and care. Physicians with normal BMI were more likely to engage obese patients in weight loss discussions and diagnose obesity if they perceived the patient's BMI met or exceeded their own.
According to the study published in JAMA Network, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among US adults remains at 35.7%, while children and teens show a higher prevalence of obesity, with significant increases in certain demographics, particularly among non-Hispanic black men and Mexican American women.
A new study recommends using the body mass index (BMI) method to calculate expected body weights in children with eating disorders. The research found that this method is more accurate than others and can account for varying heights and weights, making it a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers.
A Case Report in The Lancet describes a woman's experience with late pulmonary complications after gastric banding, including recurrent aspiration and cavitation. The authors stress the importance of recognizing these rare but potentially misdiagnosed conditions, particularly among patients with respiratory symptoms.