Research on body mass index and health risk. Covers BMI and mortality, weight loss and survival, waist size, and abdominal fat.
A large-scale study found that quitting smoking slows lung function decline in men and women, with a 38% decrease in men and 17% in women. However, weight gain significantly diminishes the beneficial effects of quitting on lung function, particularly in men.
A study of 2,019 middle-aged women found that college education was protective against obesity for white women, but not African American women. The disparity in weight gain persists despite higher educational attainment.
Research suggests being obese and underweight are associated with a higher risk of death. The study estimated excess deaths in the US population in 2000 and found that obesity was linked to 111,909 excess deaths, while underweight was linked to 33,746 excess deaths.
Research by University of Utah Health reveals that overweight and obese individuals are at least three times more likely to tear their meniscus, while the most obese face a 25 times greater risk. The study's findings have significant implications for meniscal surgeries and the nation's medical costs.
A study of 750 consecutive morbidly obese patients found that complication rates decreased significantly after the first 100 cases, with a mean complication rate of 13% and stable death rate of 0.3%. High-volume programs demonstrated better patient outcomes due to significant experience with the procedure.
Chronic daily headaches are more prevalent in obese and morbidly obese people than those with normal body weight, the study found. Obese individuals reported severe pain and missed more work days due to headaches.
The American College of Physicians recommends a weight loss approach that includes diet and exercise for everyone, with medication or surgery considered only for those who fail to achieve weight loss goals. However, the guidelines also warn about potential side effects and risks associated with surgical procedures.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends a multi-faceted approach to treating obesity, including lifestyle changes, weight-loss drugs, and bariatric surgery. ACP identifies six valid weight-loss drugs, but emphasizes the need for frank discussions about potential side effects and lack of long-term efficacy data.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that larger waist sizes and higher body fat are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adult men. The researchers recommend measuring waist circumference instead of waist-to-hip ratio to assess health risk.
Research suggests education level has no observable benefit on BMI for African-American women, despite their high rates of obesity and related illnesses. Prevention efforts should begin in adolescence or early adulthood to address this disparity.
African-American stroke survivors with obesity have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The study found that nearly all patients were overweight or obese, with diabetes increasing with BMI, and that class three obesity significantly increases the risk of recurrent stroke.
The Endocrine Society recommends classifying childhood obesity as a legitimate disease to encourage public funding and insurer reimbursement for treatment programs. This classification aims to prevent and treat obesity in children, reducing serious health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders.
A study of 314 children found that those in the high normal weight range were at an elevated risk of becoming overweight or obese as adults. Nearly half of male subjects and nearly a quarter of female subjects became overweight or obese between childhood and young adulthood.
A daily micronutrient supplement increased birthweight by an average of 77g, reducing the prevalence of low birthweight by 25% among 1200 Nepalese mothers. The supplement showed a more marked effect on female infants and those with higher body mass index.
A recent workshop on SARS published in the American Thoracic Society's peer-reviewed journal emphasizes the need for antiviral drugs to prevent and treat SARS. The study also explores the association between obesity and asthma, finding a significant link in female children who become overweight during late adolescence and early adulthood.
Researchers found comparable weight loss results in patients over 60 compared to those under 60 undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Both age groups also experienced significant reductions in obesity-related diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Researchers found that men and women who drank moderately but frequently had the lowest BMI scores, while infrequent heavy drinkers had the highest BMIs. The study suggests that drinking frequency and quantity can be important risk factors for obesity.
Research found that total sleep time decreased as body mass index increased, except in severely obese individuals. Sleeping less than 16 minutes per day was associated with a lower BMI.
A study by Victoria Holt found that overweight and obese women on oral contraceptives have a significantly higher risk of getting pregnant due to body-mass index. The study suggests that an additional two to four women will get pregnant per year among those who are overweight or obese.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Public Health found that African-Americans with higher body mass index (BMI) did not have significantly higher healthcare spending compared to those with lower BMIs. In contrast, white Americans and people under 35 with higher BMI had increased healthcare costs.
The study found that immigrants living in the US for over 15 years have a higher BMI and obesity rate compared to those living less than 1 year. Early clinician intervention on diet and physical activity may help prevent weight gain and obesity-related chronic illnesses among immigrant populations.
A study of over 9,600 participants found that those who were severely obese in young adulthood had significantly higher Medicare charges at age 65 compared to non-overweight peers. The average annual Medicare charges for severely obese individuals were $6,192 more than for non-overweight men and $5,618 more than for non-overweight women.
A study by Northwestern University researchers found that average annual and cumulative Medicare charges are significantly higher for obese individuals, with severe obesity resulting in costs of up to $175,000. The study highlights the urgent need for preventive measures to address obesity and reduce healthcare costs among older adults.
A study analyzing US children's weight trends found increasing overweight prevalence (28 states >10% in 2000) while underweight decreased, indicating a national problem. The researchers call for expanded prevention and intervention efforts to reverse the trend.
A study found that short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased BMI in a large cohort of participants. This hormonal imbalance may contribute to the development of obesity in societies where excess calories are easily accessible.
A recent Stanford University School of Medicine study found a significant link between sleep loss and hormonal changes that contribute to obesity. Ghrelin and leptin hormone levels were consistently increased and decreased with reduced sleep duration, respectively.
A recent study found that obesity is a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation, with obese individuals having a significantly higher risk of developing the condition. The study examined data from the Framingham Heart Study and found that age-adjusted incidence rates for AF increased across BMI categories in men and women.
Long-term obesity is associated with a significant loss of brain tissue, particularly in the temporal lobe, increasing dementia risk. The study found that women with higher BMI experienced greater atrophy and increased dementia risk over time.
Research suggests that abdominal fat is more closely associated with disability than overall body fat, even among normal-weight individuals. The study, which followed over 16,000 participants for nine years, found that high levels of abdominal fat increased the risk of difficulty performing daily tasks.
Research from the Look AHEAD study reveals that individuals with diabetes who are overweight or obese have poorer control of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The findings highlight the importance of weight loss programs as part of preventing cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes.
Women with a BMI of 40 or more are 5.2 times more likely to have significant colonic neoplasia detected during colonoscopy compared to those with a healthy weight. The study highlights the importance of physicians counseling overweight and obese women about colorectal cancer screening due to their increased risk.
The study found that almost half of patients with pre-existing high blood pressure were off medications after surgery, while 92% of those with diabetes were no longer taking oral medications. Additionally, degenerative joint disease improved significantly in patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery.
Studies found that morbidly obese patients experience high rates of GERD symptoms, including heartburn and acid regurgitation. Additionally, a systematic review revealed a significant dose-dependent association between body mass index and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Obese individuals have significantly higher one-year health care costs compared to nonobese counterparts. Prescription drugs and hospitalizations are key drivers of these increased costs. The study found obese patients had a median total healthcare cost of $585.44, while nonobese patients averaged $333.24.
A study found that nearly a quarter of weight loss surgery patients tested positive for H pylori, and 48% experienced significant upper GI symptoms. Treatment for these patients was recommended to alleviate postoperative foregut symptoms.
A controlled study found that bariatric surgery is associated with an increased risk of peripheral neuropathy (PN), a condition causing pain and weakness. The study highlights the importance of nutritional counseling and follow-up care to prevent PN complications, which are largely preventable.
The study found that obese trauma patients were 6 times more likely to die from their injuries compared to non-obese patients. The researchers also discovered that the obese group had a higher incidence of multiple organ failure, with 13% experiencing this complication compared to 3% in the non-obese group.
Research suggests that increased physical activity is a crucial factor in preventing cardiovascular risk, regardless of body weight. Women with moderate to high levels of physical fitness had significantly greater event-free survival compared to those with low activity scores.
A study of 37,878 women found that being overweight increases the risk of diabetes by 3.2 times and obese individuals face a 9.1 times higher risk compared to normal-weight counterparts. Increasing physical activity can reduce the risk of diabetes, but it should be performed in conjunction with weight loss.
New data from 1999-2002 shows no decline in childhood overweight and adult obesity rates, with 65.1% of adults aged 20+ being overweight or obese. The prevalence of extreme obesity also remains unchanged.
A recent study found that obese postmenopausal women are more likely to be recalled for additional tests after screening mammographies, with women in the obese category II and III groups being 31% more likely to be recalled. Obese women also experience a 20% increased risk of false-positive mammogram results compared to underweight and...
A study published in JAMA found that a specific genetic variation in the COX-2 gene is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The -765GC polymorphism was more prevalent in controls than in patients, resulting in a 52% lower relative risk of MI and a 67% lower relative risk of ischemic stroke.
Researchers found that body shape, rather than weight alone, plays a crucial role in determining cardiovascular risk. The study's findings suggest that individuals with large waists and narrow thighs are more likely to experience increased cardiovascular mortality, regardless of their overall weight.
Research suggests that higher pre-pregnancy BMI increases the risk of developing preeclampsia sharply, even within normal BMI ranges. The study found a curvilinear relationship between BMI and preeclampsia risk, with women considered 'obese' facing a three-fold increased risk.
Researchers created an effective domestic violence intervention program, increasing resource use among patients and referrals to social workers. Higher body mass index before pregnancy also increases the risk of preeclampsia, with a two-fold risk at a BMI of 26 compared to 21.
Research suggests that video game play is related to children's weight status, while television use is not. Children with higher BMIs spent moderate amounts of time playing electronic games, whereas those with lower BMIs played either little or a lot of time on other devices.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that C-reactive protein levels are not a reliable indicator of osteoarthritis due to their strong correlation with body mass index (BMI) and ethnicity. Instead, these proteins can serve as an indicator of a patient's response to therapy for osteoarthritis.
Researchers found a strong correlation between obesity and high blood pressure in children aged 8-17. The prevalence of high blood pressure increased by 4.2% among overweight children, 3.5% among obese children, and 2.6% among normal-weight children over 10 years.
Researchers found that teenagers with lower BMIs had higher average anger control scores, while those with increasing BMI's had decreasing anger expression scores. This suggests that unhealthy ways of expressing anger are associated with overweight in teens.
A study found that obesity rates among US teens have increased significantly since the 1970s, with total cholesterol and blood pressure strongly correlated to weight gain. The rate of weight gain during the teen years has roughly doubled, posing a significant risk for diabetes, strokes, and heart disease later in life.
A recent study found that college-educated Caucasian women have lower BMI levels compared to similar African American women, regardless of age or other factors. However, the study suggests that socioeconomic status may not be as protective against obesity for black women.
A WHO expert consultation suggests that traditional BMI cut-off points may not be suitable for Asian populations, who experience a higher risk of adverse health outcomes at lower BMI values. The consultation proposes intermediate public-health action points to address this disparity.
A recent study found that the US has the highest prevalence of overweight teenagers among 15 countries, with adolescents aged 13-15 years experiencing significantly high rates of obesity. The study analyzed data from over 29,000 children and adolescents across Europe, Israel, and the US.
A long-term study found that BMI tracking from adolescence to adulthood is significant and strongly related to adult weight gain. Lifestyle factors like physical activity, smoking, and parental education also play a crucial role in determining an individual's adult BMI.
A study found that a waist measurement greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Another study discovered that patients rated their doctors' care higher when both were of the same race, leading to longer matched-race visits.
A study of 9,790 participants found that exercising more and eating a balanced diet reduced cardiovascular mortality rates by over half. Those who were overweight or obese but exercised less faced increased cardiovascular risks, even if they ate fewer calories.
Miguel Nicolelis and colleagues present results from long-term studies in monkeys, showing that the same set of brain cells can control two distinct movements using a brain-machine interface. This finding has important practical implications for spinal-cord patients, offering flexibility in introducing electrodes or functional enhancem...
Researchers found five SNPs associated with differences in BMI, waist size, and skinfold totals, highlighting the interplay between genetics, SES, and family history of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that a combination of genetic makeup and behavioral environment is responsible for obesity development
Women who developed Alzheimer's disease between ages 79 and 88 were significantly more likely to have been overweight at age 70. A moderate, healthy weight seems to be best according to the study.
A large prospective study of over 6,300 patients found no significant difference in postoperative complications between obese and non-obese individuals. Obesity alone does not appear to be a risk factor for postoperative complications, contrary to previous attitudes.