Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A new study found that both pre-pregnant weight and weight gain during pregnancy are important predictors of babies' birthweight. Women with higher education levels had the highest offspring birthweight, highlighting the importance of a healthy weight before conception and moderate weight gain during pregnancy.
Black women exhibit a unique response to obesity, reporting higher quality of life despite similar weight gain compared to white women. Their self-esteem scores are particularly high, suggesting that body image and social norms may play a role in this phenomenon.
A new study finds that less than one-quarter of parents of overweight children recall ever being told by a doctor or healthcare provider that their children were overweight. Despite improved awareness over the last decade, this percentage remains low, suggesting a need for more effective communication strategies.
A recent study found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment and no memory problems who had the Alzheimer's biomarkers were more likely to have a lower BMI than those without the biomarkers. This association suggests a systemic metabolic response to the disease, possibly related to damage in the hypothalamus.
A study of 189,533 patients found that a BMI below 23.1 increased mortality risk by 40% compared to mid-range BMIs. Patients undergoing certain procedures, such as exploratory laparotomy, were also at higher risk of death.
According to Northwestern University researchers, over 83% of men and 72% of women will be overweight or obese in 2020. The implications of not improving cardiovascular health by 20% could lead to a reversal of declining rates of sickness and death from cardiovascular disease.
A new review of research into childhood obesity and metabolic disease in adulthood suggests that treating obesity during childhood can remove the risk of lasting harm. However, the study also found that being overweight or obese as a child may actually increase the risk of health problems later in life.
Researchers identified two key factors increasing the risk of childhood obesity: mothers' weight and smoking during pregnancy. Children born to overweight or smoking mothers were more likely to develop high-rising BMI trajectories, with over 50% obese by middle childhood.
Researchers found that slow eaters consumed significantly fewer calories than fast eaters, with whole grains taking longer to digest. The study also showed a strong association between eating rate and body mass index (BMI), suggesting that slower eating may be related to lower energy needs.
A new study suggests that migrant South Asians should be classified as obese with a BMI between 23-28 kg/m2, indicating a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The conventional definition of obesity may need to be lowered for this population to detect equivalent levels of cardiovascular risk.
Research reveals that people's diets are influenced by conflicting norms and environmental cues, rather than just knowledge of healthy eating. According to study findings, having strong beliefs about good eating habits is not enough to change behavior; individuals must also possess the willpower to follow their rules.
A study published by the American Thoracic Society found a significant link between body weight, sleep-disordered breathing, and cognitive processing in elementary school children. The research suggests that addressing obesity through public health campaigns may have additional benefits for cognitive development and overall health.
A study published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that higher body mass index (BMI) and fitness levels improve CPR performance, while lower BMI and fitness lead to decreased compression depth and fatigue. The researchers recommend changing CPR providers every two minutes to prevent tiredness from impeding proper compression.
A study of 50 overweight adults found that hormone levels influencing hunger changed after initial weight loss, leading to weight regain within a year. The research suggests that addressing hunger and considering pharmacotherapy or hormone manipulation may be key to preventing relapse.
A new study reveals that young adults with normal weight and BMI can still have atherosclerosis, highlighting the importance of measuring visceral fat. Waist circumference is a simple predictor of increased visceral adiposity and premature atherosclerosis.
A study presented at CHEST 2011 found that sleeping less than 8 hours a night may be linked to weight gain in teens. Teen males who slept 7 hours or less on weekdays had an average BMI that was 3.8 percent higher than those who slept more than 7 hours.
Research from Imperial College London found that premature babies show multiple biological signs of risks to future health, including higher blood pressure and excess fat tissue. Monitoring preterm babies into adulthood is crucial for early detection of disease.
A new study from the University of California at Merced found that adolescent girls with obesity have a significantly higher risk of developing elevated systolic blood pressure than their non-obese peers. Obesity was not as strongly linked to high blood pressure in boys, who were still more likely to develop it but to a lesser extent.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found a link between shift work and increased cortisol levels. This association was discovered in individuals working shifts at a young age and may contribute to cardiovascular risk.
A study of over 1,100 healthy Indiana school children found that being overweight or obese nearly triples the risk of developing high blood pressure. Leptin, a protein hormone involved in body weight regulation, is also positively associated with increased blood pressure in these children.
A new study finds that central obesity is a risk factor for asthma in adults, with those who are both centrally obese and overall obese being at highest risk. Researchers followed over 23,000 adults without asthma for 11 years to investigate the link between belly fat and lung disease.
African American women with higher BMI levels are at increased risk of death, according to a new study. A larger waist size was also associated with a higher risk of death among non-obese women, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and reducing waist size.
A new University of Michigan Health System study found that the degree and duration of obesity in adolescents and young adults significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that black and Hispanic individuals are more susceptible to diabetes for a given amount of excess weight over time.
A recent study found that heavier women have fewer hot flashes than their leaner counterparts after menopause. The inverse association between body size and hot flashes was observed only among older women, suggesting that age plays a significant role in this relationship.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research found that mothers with a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) have fatter babies with more fat in their liver cells. The researchers measured the amount of fat in 105 babies' livers and bodies, finding increased liver cell fat and total fat across all BMI ranges. This study suggests...
A new tool, the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), predicts mortality risk in overweight and obese individuals with greater accuracy than current methods. The study found that higher EOSS scores were associated with increased mortality risk, even after adjusting for BMI and metabolic syndrome.
A nationwide study found that middle school students experienced similar reductions in BMI regardless of whether they received a public health intervention or not. The results suggest that increased awareness and policy changes may be starting to change the trend of rising childhood obesity.
A new study from Loma Linda University found that excess body fat in elderly individuals decreases life expectancy. Maintaining a normal weight between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered ideal, while overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of mortality.
A new study by McMaster University researchers found that South Asians are more likely to store fat in internal organs like the liver, increasing the risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease. The study suggests that this type of visceral fat is associated with metabolic problems and may affect organ function.
A recent study found that increased body mass index (BMI) is an independent predictor of clinical decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis. The researchers suggest that weight reduction may improve patient outcomes and that measures to reduce BMI could improve the prognosis for patients with advanced liver disease.
A study by Loyola University Health System researcher Holly Kramer found that a large waist circumference doubles the risk of dying among kidney disease patients. Waist circumference was more strongly linked to mortality than BMI, a commonly used measure of obesity.
A recent study published in JAMA found that adhering to a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet, can significantly lower the risk of sudden cardiac death in women. The study analyzed data from over 81,000 women and found that those who met four key lifestyle criteria had a 92% lower ...
A recent study published in JAMA found that bariatric surgery among older, severely obese patients is not associated with reduced mortality. The study examined the long-term survival of high-risk patients who underwent bariatric surgery and compared them to nonsurgical controls.
A study of 1,811 pairs of twins found that shorter sleep durations were associated with increased expression of genes related to obesity, while longer sleep durations were linked to decreased body mass index. This suggests that genetic influences on body weight may be suppressed by adequate sleep duration.
A new study found a significant decline in heart attack rates among London civil servants over 20 years, primarily due to improvements in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and reduced smoking. However, the rise in body mass index (BMI) may reverse this trend in the future.
A new study found that overweight men are at a significantly higher risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver compared to those who drink heavily. The research followed 855 men for up to 40 years and discovered that both excess weight and high levels of blood fats increased liver damage, while alcohol's link was not statistically proven.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that adolescent girls who followed a DASH-style diet had smaller gains in overall body mass index (BMI) over 10 years compared to those on other diets. Higher consumption of fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products was associated with less weight gain.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that higher adherence to the DASH diet reduced excess weight gain in adolescent girls over a 10-year period. The study, which examined a racially diverse sample of girls aged nine and 10, discovered that those with the highest intake of DASH-like food groups had smaller gains in BMI.
A new study found a significant correlation between high BMI and decreased aromatase availability in the brains of overweight subjects. This suggests that low estrogen levels may lead to reduced control over appetite and food intake, resulting in weight gain.
A new study found that overweight girls who consumed sugar-free, low-fat desserts several times a week lost more weight and had better blood pressure control compared to those who ate dessert once a week. The low-glycemic index desserts also improved appetite-suppressing hormone levels and insulin resistance markers.
A new study published by The Endocrine Society reveals that women with higher levels of the hormone leptin experience fewer symptoms of depression. This finding suggests that leptin may have antidepressant qualities and is independent of body mass index (BMI).
A national survey of nearly 4,000 Americans found that obesity is associated with better health-related quality of life for black men and worse outcomes for black women. The study, published in Quality of Life Research, used comprehensive telephone interviews to assess cognition, vision, speech, hearing, physical activity, pain, mobili...
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that mild obesity, measured by body mass index, was associated with longer survival rates among ALS patients. Patients who were mildly obese outlived those of normal weight, underweight, or even overweight.
A recent study analyzing data from 6,400 low-income immigrant children in Montreal reveals that their BMI drops significantly as they grow up in Canada. The 'healthy immigrant effect' seen in adult immigrants is lost in successive generations of children.
A recent study by nurse researchers found that 29% of overweight and obese individuals reported exercising for six months, while 39% regularly exercised. The study suggests that just because someone is overweight does not mean they are not exercising or considering it.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that pistachio snackers had better success with supporting their body mass index (BMI) goals compared to those who snacked on pretzels. Pistachios also helped support heart health due to their high levels of healthy unsaturated fat.
A large waist circumference or high waist-to-hip ratio significantly increases the risk of death in coronary artery disease patients, even among those with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI). The study refutes the obesity paradox, suggesting that central obesity is a more critical factor than overall weight.
A Columbia University study found that business travelers have poorer health outcomes, including higher BMI and cholesterol levels, compared to those who travel less often. The study suggests that extensive travel is associated with negative health consequences, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that being overweight or obese during middle age may increase the risk of certain dementias. Researchers found that people who were overweight or obese at midlife had an 80% higher risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or vascular dementia in late life.
A new study by the USDA found that pistachios contain fewer calories per serving than previously thought, supporting weight management and heart health. Pistachios are also rich in fiber and protein, making them a nutritious snack option.
A study found that media exposure to idealized body shapes improves women's body satisfaction, at least initially. However, this effect is often accompanied by increased dieting behavior and ultimately unsustainable body image.
A 17-year study of 37,000 Israeli teenagers found that normal-range adolescent BMI can predict type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk in young adults. Elevated BMI at any age was associated with increased disease risk, especially at ages 17 and 30.
A large cohort study found that normal-range body mass index in adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in young adulthood. Elevated BMI was associated with a 10% to 12% increased risk for these diseases.
Women who are obese during early pregnancy have a significantly increased risk of their baby dying before, during or up to one year after birth. Obesity also increases the risk of complications such as bleeding and infections during and after a hysterectomy operation.
Research studies presented at the ACC Meeting found associations between higher body mass index and increased cardiac risk factors, as well as a 47-percent reduction in radiation dose with lower kVp imaging. Additionally, persistence of left ventricular hypertrophy was linked to worse outcomes in patients with lower achieved systolic p...
Research from Ohio State University finds that women's body image is more closely tied to social acceptance than BMI, with those who focus on internal bodily functions and less on appearance experiencing healthier attitudes towards their bodies. Women who perceive strong social support are more likely to engage in intuitive eating.
A study by the American Heart Association found that increased added sugar consumption parallels trends in weight gain among adults over 27 years. Researchers analyzed data from the Minnesota Heart Survey and discovered a significant increase in added sugars intake alongside rising BMI levels.
A study found that obese mothers and their pre-adolescent children significantly underestimated their actual body weights. This underestimation poses a significant risk for the development of heart disease and diabetes.
A new study found that normal-weight young adults who frequently attend religious activities are 50% more likely to become obese by middle age. This association holds even after adjusting for demographic factors such as age, race, and education level.
Children with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) experience changes in their sense of taste, which may be related to childhood obesity. Researchers found that the taste thresholds of sweet and salty tastes were elevated for children in the COME group.