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Insurance coverage, type of employment shape inequities in access to semaglutide

A new study found disparities in access to semaglutide based on insurance plan, job industry, sex, and other factors. Individuals with female identities, preferred provider organization coverage, and antidepressant use were more likely to start taking semaglutide compared to males or those with certain employment industries.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 22, 2025

Fatty muscles raise the risk of serious heart disease regardless of overall body weight

Research published in the European Heart Journal found that people with high amounts of intermuscular fat are more likely to develop coronary microvascular dysfunction and future serious heart disease. The study's lead author suggests that existing measures of obesity may not be accurate for all individuals, particularly women.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2025

Researchers from Pennington Biomedical serve on global commission on clinical obesity that goes beyond BMI in defining obesity as a disease

The Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity proposes a new model for diagnosing clinical obesity based on objective measures of illness at the individual level. The proposal aims to settle the ongoing dispute around the idea of obesity as a disease, providing a medically coherent framework for diagnosis.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJan 15, 2025

THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY: Global Commission proposes major overhaul of obesity diagnosis, going beyond BMI to define when obesity is a disease.

The global Commission recommends diagnosing obesity based on excess body fat measures and objective signs of illness, shifting from BMI-based definition. This approach aims to provide personalized care for individuals with clinical and pre-clinical obesity, facilitating fair allocation of healthcare resources.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 14, 2025

Exposure to aircraft noise linked to worse heart function

A new study found that exposure to high aircraft noise levels can lead to stiffer and thicker heart muscles, increasing the risk of poor heart function and major cardiac events. People exposed to night-time aircraft noise were particularly at risk, with increased risks of heart attacks, life-threatening rhythms, and strokes.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2025

People from some racial and ethnic groups may face barriers to obtaining obesity medications

A new study found significant disparities in the use of obesity-management medications among different racial and ethnic groups. People of Asian, Black, and Hispanic descent were significantly less likely to use these medications compared to whites, even after adjusting for income, education, health insurance coverage, and clinical need.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2024

A modified Delphi consensus of the Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery

Researchers from the University of Granada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identified the most important physical fitness tests for children and adolescents, with a degree of scientific agreement exceeding 85%. The top tests include the 20-meter shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, and body mass index.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSurvey·DateDec 17, 2024

Changes in adult obesity trends in the US

Adult obesity trends in the US have declined for the first time in more than a decade, according to recent data. The South region experienced the largest decreases in body mass index and obesity prevalence, despite also facing high COVID-19 mortality rates among obese individuals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateDec 13, 2024

Having a good breakfast reduces cardiovascular risk

Consuming 20-30% of daily energy at breakfast is associated with lower body mass index, smaller waist circumference, significantly lower triglyceride levels, and higher HDL cholesterol. A high-quality breakfast with proper balance of proteins, fats, fiber, and nutrients also contributes to reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalThe journal of nutrition health & aging·DateDec 11, 2024

New study explores the role of BMI in disease risk

A new study from deCODE genetics/Amgen highlights the importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) in disease pathology, suggesting that reducing BMI could lower the risk of various diseases. For some conditions like fatty liver disease and glucose intolerance, the genetic link to disease disappears when BMI is taken into account.

SourcedeCODE genetics·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2024

What’s chubby enough for lower disability after stroke?

A recent study published in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation found that slightly overweight stroke survivors (BMI 22.1-27.5 kg/m²) have a lower risk of sustaining disabilities compared to those with normal weight. The research suggests that a higher-than-normal BMI may be beneficial for recovering from a stroke with less disability.

SourceKobe University·JournalTopics in Stroke Rehabilitation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 5, 2024

Body weight is an important health factor in pregnancy – regardless of country of birth

A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health found that body weight is a significant factor in pregnancy complications, affecting women born in different countries. Researchers estimated that approximately half of all cases of gestational diabetes could be prevented if all women were of normal weight during pregnancy.

SourceLinköping University·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2024

Keeping a longer overnight fast and eating an early breakfast may be associated with a lower body mass index

A recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity suggests that extending overnight fasts and eating an early breakfast may be associated with a lower body mass index. The research, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, involved over 7,000 volunteers who answered questionnai...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

Large variation in how girls grow after their first period

A study of 793 girls found significant variation in height growth after their first period, with most not reaching the expected 6-8 cm. Early onset of menstruation is linked to greater growth, while late onset is associated with shorter final height. Childhood BMI also plays a role in determining menarche age and subsequent growth.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2024

Success of meal boxes in treating childhood obesity

A study conducted by the University of Gothenburg found that meal boxes with healthy recipes and subsidized meals led to a greater reduction in children's BMI compared to lifestyle treatment alone. The intervention also involved family meals, which were perceived as tolerable and reduced conflicts over food shopping.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Pediatrics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 25, 2024

Food insecurity in early life, pregnancy may be linked to higher chance of obesity in children, NIH-funded study finds

A new NIH-funded study found that children who experienced food insecurity during early childhood or whose mothers experienced it during pregnancy had a higher BMI and increased chance of developing obesity. Researchers explored how neighborhood food access affected child body mass index and obesity over time.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024

BMI’s relation to cancer therapy mortality risks not so straightforward

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that body mass index (BMI) has a more complex relationship with mortality risk during cancer therapy than previously thought. For patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, higher BMI was associated with lower mortality when undergoing immunotherapy or conventional chemotherapy. Howe...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 12, 2024

High BMI eligibility for semaglutide could cost Medicare an additional $145 billion annually

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that approximately 61% of Medicare-eligible adults have a BMI of 27 or higher, making them eligible for semaglutide. However, the number of patients who will be eligible depends on how cardiovascular disease is defined, with narrow definitions resulting in only 3.6 million people b...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 26, 2024

KKH study: Exclusive breastfeeding leads to greater weight loss in women with high body mass index as compared to women with normal weight

A KKH study found that exclusively breastfed women with high body mass index (BMI) lost more weight than those with a healthy BMI pre-pregnancy, with an average weight loss of 200 grammes. Women who practiced exclusive breastfeeding retained less postnatal weight compared to mixed feeding or formula feeding.

SourceSingHealth·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 26, 2024

Good sleep habits important for overweight adults, OHSU study suggests

A new study from Oregon Health & Science University reveals that people who are overweight and ignore their body's signals to sleep at night experience negative health consequences. The study found sex-specific differences in health impacts, with men having higher levels of belly fat and women having higher overall body fat percentage.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2024

Timing is everything: Study finds link between bowel movement frequency and overall health

Researchers found that bowel movement frequency is linked to long-term health, with younger people, women, and those with lower BMI tending to have less frequent bowel movements. The study also showed associations between bowel movement frequency and chronic disease risk, mental health history, and gut microbiome composition.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJul 16, 2024