A study of 3000 children aged 5-17 found a clear relationship between abdominal fat and abnormal serum lipids and insulin levels. This suggests that childhood obesity may predict later development of diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers at UCSF and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease have discovered a gene that encodes DGAT, a key enzyme in fat production. This finding has implications for understanding human energy cycles, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a low-fat diet can reverse type 2 diabetes in mice by reducing insulin and glucose levels independently of weight loss. The study suggests that foods high in fat, not sugar, are responsible for the onset of diabetes.
A study of 1235 adults found that obesity was associated with reduced breathing capacity, but only when fat mass was present. Handgrip strength and muscular fitness were also linked to improved lung function, suggesting a mediating role in the relationship between body composition and respiratory function.
Research found large differences in mean plasma leptin concentrations among Nigerian, Jamaican, and US black populations. Women showed higher leptin levels than men at every level of body fat. The study also suggests an exponential response of leptin to increases in body fat stores.
A new study reveals that body fat is significantly associated with increased blood pressure, particularly in women. Researchers found that those who gained more fat over time also experienced higher increases in blood pressure.
The study used identical twins to investigate the role of genes in individual differences in response to chronic overfeeding. The results showed significant similarity within pairs for body weight, fat distribution, and insulin levels, but reduced similarity when accounting for total body fat.
Research reveals low leptin levels in restrained eaters, particularly in underweight females, who have higher cognitive restraint scores. The study found a negative correlation between leptin levels and cognitive restraint scores in these individuals.
Research shows that older adults have a decreased ability to oxidize fat during exercise, with only one-third the fat oxidation of younger counterparts. However, an intensive 16-week exercise program can help restore normal fat oxidation patterns in elderly individuals.
A new study of 460 adults found that people with triglyceride levels as low as 100 mg/dl were more than twice as likely to suffer from future heart disease. Regular exercise, a diet low in saturated fat, and omega-3 rich foods can help break down fatty deposits in blood vessels.