A systematic review of 37 studies found a link between artificial sweetener consumption and higher risks of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners may have negative effects on metabolism and gut bacteria, although the evidence is conflicting.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that brain-resident immune cells called microglia play a crucial role in driving overeating and weight gain in mice fed high-fat diets. The study suggests that targeting microglia could provide a novel approach to treating obesity, potentially avoiding side effects of existing medications.
Adolescent weight gain has been linked to a long-term increased risk of stroke in adulthood, according to new research. Children who returned to a normal BMI by age 20 had no such increased risk.
A daily fiber supplement has been shown to decrease body fat and improve intestinal bacteria profiles in children with overweight or obesity. The study found a 19% reduction in triglycerides and significant weight gain reductions compared to a placebo group.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that women who gained more than the recommended weight during pregnancy were at a higher risk of small for gestational age, preterm birth, and cesarean delivery. In contrast, those who gained less than the recommended weight had a lower risk of large for gestational age and macrosomia.
Researchers discovered a brain subgroup that triggers binge-like eating when activated, leading to weight gain. Stimulation of this area with specific neurons or hormones increased food intake, but reduced it after stimulation stopped.
A study tracking body mass index over 16 years found that women who are divorced, separated, or widowed and smokers are at high risk of becoming overweight or obese. Measuring rates of weight gain between 18-23 years old could help identify those who need assistance with prevention.
Researchers found that years of gradual weight gain more than doubles the risk of hypertensive disorders, including high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, during pregnancy. Women who gained moderate to high annual weight gains had a higher risk of developing hypertensive disorders.
A new study identifies erythritol as a biomarker for increasing fat mass in young adults during the transition to college life. Researchers found that students who gained weight had fifteenfold higher blood erythritol levels compared to those who were stable or lost weight.
Researchers at SISSA discovered that weight gain after deep brain stimulation is associated with an increased desire for food and level of impulsiveness. The study also found a link between the duration of Parkinson's disease and reduced pharmacological treatment, highlighting potential preventative measures.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that preschoolers who recognize food brand logos are more likely to be overweight. The study showed that children with higher BMI percentiles recognized unhealthy foods like M&M's and Coca-Cola more often than healthy-weight peers.
Researchers identified DNA-dependent protein kinase, an enzyme that promotes fat accumulation and exercise capacity loss with age. The study's findings suggest a genetic program driving mid-life weight gain and lower fitness levels.
A new anti-rejection drug, Everolimus, has been found to reduce weight gain and enhance outcomes for liver transplant recipients. Researchers compared Everolimus to Tacrolimus in a randomized international multi-center study of over 700 patients, finding that those taking Everolimus gained less weight.
Research tracked over 3,000 women and found that small weight gains within the healthy BMI range doubled their risk of gestational diabetes compared to those with stable weights. Women who gained more than 2.5% of their body weight each year had almost triple the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
A study of 129 kangaroo offspring found that those spending time with their mothers grew faster and gained more weight, while those alone had higher survival rates. Social interaction also allows young kangaroos to avoid harassment from adult females.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is directly linked to excess weight gain during pregnancy, especially among young mothers. The research also showed that Hispanic women are less likely to experience excessive weight gain compared to non-Hispanic women.
Research by Jillian Trabulsi and Julie Mennella investigates the effects of infant formula on infant weight gain. The study found that babies fed cow's milk formula gained weight faster than those fed hydrolyzed protein formula or breastfed, highlighting the importance of choosing a suitable formula for infants.
A study published in JAMA found that the percentage of overweight and obese adults trying to lose weight declined between 1988-1994 and 2009-2014. The decline was most pronounced among black women, who saw a significant reduction in reporting efforts to lose weight.
A Swedish study found that insufficient weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of nonaffective psychosis, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, in children. The study of 526,042 individuals born between 1982 and 1989 found that mothers who experienced extremely inadequate gestational weight gain were more l...
Physical activity is most important lifestyle change to reduce breast cancer recurrence risk, with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day recommended. Avoiding weight gain and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
A study of over 33,000 people found that preventing adult weight gain can reduce type 2 diabetes cases twice as much as targeting high-risk individuals, and that population-based strategies could prevent nearly one in five diabetes cases if everyone who gained weight maintained their weight.
Researchers followed adults in five countries and found no association between physical activity and weight gain. However, weight at the initial visit, age, and gender were significantly associated with weight change. The study provides new evidence that exercise is not a reliable method for controlling weight.
A new study published in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting found that a weight loss intervention did not improve pregnancy outcomes despite reducing maternal weight gain. The study, MOMFIT, tested an intensive lifestyle behavioral intervention to help overweight and obese women limit gestational weight gain.
Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum used data from the Astrophysical Journal to determine the age of the star, finding it had formed at the same time as our galaxy. The dual star system's companion star transferred matter to 49 Lib, causing incorrect age estimates.
A study found that children perceived as 'overweight' by parents tend to gain more weight over time, possibly due to negative self-image and attempts to lose weight. The association was seen in both Australian and Irish families, with the link not explained by other factors.
A study in obese mice reveals that physical inactivity is linked to altered dopamine receptors, contradicting the assumption that excess body weight is the primary cause. The research suggests that dopamine signaling defects contribute to reduced movement in obesity.
A study published in Physiology & Behavior found that desirable taste determines food choice but not consumption volume. Researchers fed mice tasty human foods and discovered they didn't gain excess weight despite strong preference for these diets.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that college students experience significant weight gain, averaging around 10 pounds over their four-year college career. This excessive weight gain is associated with an increased risk of health problems, including diabetes and hypertension.
Repeated dieting can cause weight gain as the brain interprets diets as short famines and urges people to store more fat for future shortages. This phenomenon, known as yo-yo dieting, may explain why people struggle to keep weight off after trying low-calorie diets.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science found that gut microbes contribute to recurrent 'yo-yo' obesity, with a 'memory' of previous obesity retained after dieting. They developed new treatments using fecal microbiome transplantation and flavonoids, which may help alleviate the obesity epidemic.
Women who are overweight or obese are less likely to use hormonal birth control methods, opting for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and implants instead. This preference is driven by fear of weight gain associated with the pill and shot, despite LARCs not containing estrogen.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who skip breakfast and have irregular sleep patterns are more likely to become overweight or obese. The research, based on data from over 19,000 UK children, highlights the importance of early life factors such as smoking in pregnancy and disrupted routines in predicting weight gain.
Researchers found that substantial weight gain increases the risk of obesity-related cancers, particularly for men who go from a healthy weight to morbid obesity. The study suggests that identifying people at high risk of developing cancer due to weight gain could help prevent cases and improve public health.
Researchers found that minimal exercise can regulate insulin levels, maintain metabolic function, and help prevent significant weight gain in postmenopausal women. Sedentary rats experienced a 50% reduction in fat tissue after limited physical activity, highlighting the benefits of any amount of exercise.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that individuals tend to gain weight between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with a peak around the New Year. By setting an October weight resolution, individuals can avoid gaining holiday weight altogether, as it may take over 5 months to lose gained pounds.
A small study found that smoking decreases dietary intake by reducing ghrelin levels, a hunger hormone. This effect can help explain why current smokers are less likely to be obese than non-smokers.
A clinical trial found metformin to be effective in reducing weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggests that metformin may offer a potential treatment option to mitigate the risks of diabetes linked to weight gain.
Researchers found that metformin effectively reduced body mass index scores in overweight children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder who take antipsychotic medications. The double-blind clinical trial also showed metformin was well-tolerated and did not cause behavioral changes.
A Penn State researcher found that pregnant women use a dual self-image to cope with the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy. They differentiate between their pre-pregnancy body weight and 'baby weight,' allowing them to maintain a positive body image during this time.
A study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal found that abnormalities in interval between pregnancies, body mass index prior to pregnancy, and weight gain during pregnancy may contribute to up to 25% of preterm births. Modifying these risk factors could significantly reduce premature birth rates worldwide.
A recent study on 'The Biggest Loser' television series found that participants regained much of the weight they lost, with suppressed metabolism. Experts say a 5-15% weight loss is unlikely to lead to such large effects on metabolism and emphasize the importance of long-term lifestyle changes.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found a connection between menopause and decreased physical activity in postmenopausal women. The study suggests that activation of brain receptors may serve as a future treatment to improve motivation for physical activity.
A Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study found that Zyprexa (olanzapine) is linked to the highest risk of weight gain, while Geodon (ziprasidone) and Seroquel (quetiapine) were not associated with an increase in body mass index. The study suggests balancing treatment risks and benefits for children and teens with ASD.
A new study from McMaster University found that lifting lighter weights many times can be as efficient as lifting heavy weights for fewer repetitions in building muscle and strength. Researchers analyzed muscle and blood samples and found gains in muscle mass and fibre size were virtually identical between the two groups.
A new study suggests that a powdered food supplement, based on a molecule produced by bacteria in the gut, can reduce cravings for high-calorie foods like chocolate and pizza. The supplement, called inulin-propionate ester, releases more propionate than other fiber supplements, which signals to the brain to reduce appetite.
Researchers suggest that anorexia nervosa is linked to the brain's reward system and a genetic factor involved in neuron survival. The study found that patients with anorexia nervosa experience increased sweating when viewing images of thin bodies, which may be related to the presence of a specific gene variant.
A Swedish study found that mothers who gained 4 kg/m2 or more between pregnancies had a higher risk of low Apgar scores, neonatal seizures, and meconium aspiration. Preventing weight gain could reduce birth asphyxia and improve infant health.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that subordinate female meerkats track the growth of potential competitors and adjust their own weight gain to stay ahead. The results suggest that competitive growth is a key strategy for social mammals to maintain dominance.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a crucial role of NG2-glia cells in the median eminence in regulating appetite and body weight. The cells support and shelter leptin receptor neurons, enabling them to instruct the body when to stop eating, leading to potential new targeted anti-obesity approaches.
A large study published in The BMJ found that people with a heavy body shape from childhood to middle age have the highest mortality rate. Those who remained lean throughout life had the lowest mortality risk, with a 15-year risk of death being 11.8% in women and 20.3% in men.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that young adults who made small dietary changes and engaged in regular physical activity successfully prevented weight gain. The 'small-change' group lost an average of 1.2 pounds over two to three years, while the 'large-change' group lost nearly 5.2 pounds.
Researchers found that young adults taught to weigh themselves daily and make small changes in diet and exercise had significantly reduced average weight gain over three years. The large change strategy led to even more effective weight loss results.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy increase the risk of a child becoming overweight at age 2. However, breastfeeding for at least six months was associated with a significant reduction in this risk, regardless of the mother's pre-pregnancy weight.
Researchers found that parental perceptions of a child's weight status are not protective against weight gain during childhood. Children whose parents perceived their weight as 'overweight' gained more weight over time. This association holds true even if the parent accurately or inaccurately believed their child was overweight.
A new study finds that toddlers who reach for sweet treats after a filling meal are at a greater risk of weight gain. Researchers from Michigan Medicine found that eating in the absence of hunger is associated with being overweight among young children.
A study at Oregon State University has identified a specific intake level of xanthohumol that significantly improves metabolic syndrome markers and reduces weight gain in laboratory animals. The findings suggest a possible new approach to addressing obesity, high cholesterol and elevated glucose.
A new study found that those who lose more weight are most likely to keep it off, but also experience weight cycling. Patients who lost high percentages of their initial body mass index (BMI) were more likely to maintain their weight loss over time.
African-American infants who feed more vigorously at 1 month of age have higher weight at 4 months, a potential early indicator of obesity risk. Researchers found that stronger sucking skills were associated with greater weight gain from birth to 4 months.
Despite weight gain, smoking cessation reduces cardiovascular risks among patients with serious mental illness. The study found that those who remained abstinent had a lower Framingham Risk Score than those who relapsed, indicating continued risk due to worsening obesity and diabetes.
A study of nearly 40,000 children found no significant association between early-life antibiotic exposure and childhood weight gain. The research suggests that limiting antibiotic use in young, healthy children is not necessary to prevent weight gain.