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Impact of obesity and metabolic disorders on severity of COVID-19 and vaccine-breakthrough infections

A study found that obesity is associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospital admission or death. Additionally, accelerated immunosenescence may be a key mechanism explaining the relationship between obesity and T2DM in severe COVID-19. Vaccination effectiveness may also be impacted by metabolic disorders.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 7, 2021

Researchers use model of hypothalamus to implicate genes associated with sleep, BMI, puberty, and more

A study led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers used stem cells to implicate several genes involved in bodily functions associated with the hypothalamus. The findings could help clinicians identify potential causes of dysfunction for traits regulated by the hypothalamus, such as sleep and stress.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Weight-loss drugs, revisited

About 42% of U.S. adults are considered clinically obese due to increased risk of health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. New weight-loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) show promise in safely aiding weight loss, but long-term side effects and sustainability remain concerns.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateOct 20, 2021

Chronic stress may impact treatment completion and survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer

A study found that chronic stress, measured by allostatic load, was associated with a lower likelihood of completing chemotherapy and lower overall survival rate in patients with lymph node-positive or high-risk lymph node-negative HER2-negative breast cancer. Allostatic load may be a better predictor than genetic ancestry for chemothe...

Can You Lose Weight? Ask Your Microbiome

A new study from Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) reveals that the genetic capacity of the gut microbiome is strongly associated with weight loss success or failure. Microbiomes of those who lost weight had higher bacterial growth rates and were enriched in genes that divert dietary nutrients toward bacterial cell growth. In contras...

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalmSystems·DateSep 14, 2021

Trial finds childhood weight management program effective for Hispanic children from low-income families

A randomized clinical trial shows that a community-based weight management program delivered at health centers improved BMI in Hispanic children aged six to 12. The program, which included text messaging and connections to community resources, also reduced sugary beverage consumption, increased physical activity, and led to healthier l...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateSep 7, 2021

Young adults at highest risk of weight gain

A new study found that young adults aged 18 to 24 are four times more likely to become overweight or develop obesity over the next 10 years than those aged 65 to 74. The study suggests that age is the most important sociodemographic factor for BMI change, and that targeted interventions for young adults may be necessary to prevent obes...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2021

Preoperative chest CT improves assessment of postoperative mechanical ventilation

A single-center retrospective study found that preoperative thoracic CT findings can complement preoperative clinical risk factors to improve risk assessment for the need of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Bronchial wall thickening, pericardial effusion, and anteroposterior chest diameter were identified as independent predictors...

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2021

Decades after toxic exposure, 9/11 first responders may still lower their risk of lung injury

A new study from NYU Langone Health found that losing weight and managing excess body fat can significantly reduce the risk of lung disease in firefighters exposed to toxic substances on 9/11. The study analyzed 20 years of data from over 5,700 first responders and identified five key factors that predict lung disease.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 2, 2021

Young children gained weight during the pandemic

A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 200,000 children found that those aged 5-11 gained more weight during the pandemic than teenagers. The result was a significant increase in overweight and obese children, highlighting the need for health-focused interventions to prevent long-term consequences.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA·DateAug 27, 2021

Weight gain isn’t inevitable when you start college

A new study from the University of Georgia found that college students who were physically active before starting university remained so, while those with low motivation to exercise gained significant weight. The researchers recommend teaching children the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of American College Health·DateAug 24, 2021

Massive exome-wide association study in humans identifies rare variants that protect against obesity

A massive exome-wide association study identifies rare gene coding variants strongly associated with BMI, including GPR75, which confers protection from obesity in mouse models. This finding provides potential therapeutic targets for treating obesity and demonstrates the power of massive-scale exome sequencing.

Overweight or obesity worsens liver-damaging effects of alcohol

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people with overweight or obesity are at a greater risk of developing liver diseases compared to those within a healthy weight range. The study analyzed data from nearly half a million participants and found that even moderate alcohol consumption can lead...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 31, 2021

Cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment of obesity yields significant results

A study conducted in Brazil found that a cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment can significantly yield weight loss and improve quality of life. The program was shown to be effective in increasing quality of life in all domains, physical, psychological, social, and environmental, while reducing symptoms of depression.

Study finds obese people with pattern of later waking and peak activity later in day at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

A study found that obese people with an evening chronotype, characterized by later waking and peak activity, have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This increased risk is independent of sleep quality, age, gender, and body mass index.

Study of 1.5 million British people shows BMI cut offs for obesity and diabetes risk do not work for non-white populations

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that BMI cut-offs used by the World Health Organization and UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are not suitable for adults from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. The research, which included over 1.5 million people, shows that these groups...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMay 11, 2021

New study finds an association between increasing BMI and the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2

Research reveals that as body mass index (BMI) increases, the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 also rises, especially among overweight and obese patients. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 patients tested for COVID-19 at a major medical center in Israel and found significant associations between BMI and viral infection risk.

Higher BMI in childhood may help protect women against breast cancer in later life, both before and after the menopause

A Danish study of over 173,000 women found that girls with a higher BMI during childhood had lower breast cancer risks both before and after menopause. The research suggests an inverse association between childhood BMI and breast cancer risk, but further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 for men than women

A recent study found that obesity, particularly class II and III, is associated with a higher risk of death, severe pneumonia, and intubation in both men and women with COVID-19. However, the association was stronger in men than women, suggesting that obesity may be a more significant risk factor for death from COVID-19 in men.

SourceSpringer·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases·DateMay 6, 2021