Research on weight loss and its health effects. Covers GLP-1 injections, companion digital programs, pregnancy guidelines, and asthma benefits.
A team of researchers awarded a $4 million grant to study genetic markers contributing to weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications. The study aims to uncover biological pathways and potential new drug targets to prevent weight rebound and preserve long-term health benefits.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers shows that a longer duration Food Is Medicine program associated with improved adult cardiometabolic health. Participants who received weekly plant-based grocery packages for 2.7 years showed dose-dependent reductions in diastolic blood pressure, body weight, and BMI.
CBL-514 selectively induces apoptosis of fat cells, reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat volume by 10.45% and 22.21% respectively in phase 2 clinical trials. The drug was well-tolerated with mostly mild-to-moderate injection-site reactions.
The European Society of Endocrinology is launching a new Obesity and Endocrinology School in 2027 to support early-career clinicians in obesity research and clinical practice. The School will cover the latest developments in obesity, including genetics, adipose tissue biology, and treatments.
A controlled study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists increase the risk of nail detachment and disorders by 4 times, compared to those with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Additionally, hair and scalp changes were also significantly more common among GLP-1 users.
Researchers found trevogrumab significantly reduced lean mass loss by 50% when used with semaglutide. Participants who received trevogrumab experienced a mean increase in lean mass of +0.4%, while those who received placebo experienced a mean decrease of -2.4%.
A systematic review of 43,000 women with diabetes exposed to GLP-1 RAs found no significant associations with preterm birth, stillbirth, or neonatal death, but evidence gaps remain for early pregnancy loss and postpartum use. Further research is needed to address these gaps and provide clearer evidence for women with diabetes
Retatrutide demonstrates substantial weight loss and improved blood sugar control in adults with overweight and type 2 diabetes, with 47% of participants losing at least 20% of their starting weight. The treatment also improves cardiometabolic risk factors and reduces inflammation.
Women are more likely to experience weight loss and improved blood sugar control with GLP-1 RAs, but face higher rates of side effects and unequal access to treatment worldwide. Extensive research is needed to address these disparities and optimize treatment for women in various domains.
A regulator-mandated study found no link between semaglutide use and pancreatic cancer using nationwide registry data from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The study, funded by Novo, included over 97,000 semaglutide users and compared them to users of other non-incretin antidiabetic drugs.
Underweight patients face a significantly higher risk of death after emergency general surgery, with a 92% increased odds compared to normal-weight patients. Those who are both underweight and frail have the worst clinical outcomes, including longer hospital stays and higher readmission rates.
A new study suggests that semaglutide reduces heart disease risk beyond just weight loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. The study analyzed data from a clinical trial of semaglutide, which found that patients taking the drug had a 20% lower risk of heart disease, but only half of this reduction could be explained by changes in kno...
A study with mice found that seven days of strength training activated lipid breakdown mechanisms, reduced fat cell size, and decreased fat around the intestines. This effect occurred even before any weight loss was observed on the scale.
A new study published in Childhood Obesity found that nearly one in six children prescribed GLP-1 medications experience nutritional deficiencies, with vitamin D being the most common, within one year.
A new RNA therapy promotes thermogenesis, turning white fat into beige fat that burns energy, and preserves lean muscle mass when combined with GLP-1s. This treatment improves glucose tolerance and other measures of metabolic health, offering a potential solution to the loss of muscle mass associated with GLP-1 weight loss.
A study found that trends in 26 blood tests were associated with cancer risk in patients with unexplained weight loss. Researchers identified specific trends linked to lung and prostate cancers, suggesting that monitoring changes in routine blood test results could identify patients who would benefit from additional cancer testing.
Patients taking GLP-1 RAs under general anesthesia have an 11 times higher risk of stomach regurgitation, with a rate of 1 in 71, compared to 1 in 802 for those not taking the medications. The study found that 2.9% of patients received GLP-1 RAs before surgery, with 40% obtaining their prescriptions through online pharmacies.
A new study by Concordia University found that poor sleep in one partner can affect the other's diet quality, with one partner's unhealthy food choices having a ripple effect on the other's eating habits. The study suggests that treating sleep as a shared concern could offer benefits for both partners.
A 12-week study found that time-restricted eating resulted in modest weight loss (median 2.7%) and improved eating habits in adults with obesity and prediabetes. The study also showed no significant differences in inflammation markers and appetite hormones between the time-restricted eating and usual eating pattern groups.
Researchers at Harrington Discovery Institute have identified a biological mechanism that may explain why obesity relapse occurs and how it is passed down through generations. They found that obesity creates a lasting biological change in fat cells that keeps the hunger hormone asprosin elevated, even after weight loss, and that this s...
Weight loss injections can impact reproductive health, and a new study provides evidence-based guidelines for families and health professionals. The guidelines recommend that incretin-based medication therapy should not be deliberately continued throughout pregnancy, but women who used the injections without realizing they were pregnan...
Digital behavioral infrastructure leverages digital health apps to drive medication persistence, side-effect mitigation, and durable weight loss. The 'habit window' hypothesis proposes building healthy behaviors during medication's peak efficacy window.
A new study found that weight loss injection semaglutide may reduce asthma attacks by up to 40% in people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD. Semaglutide also led to a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.
The study found that prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss medications increased 310-fold among young children with obesity, from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026. Younger children with severe obesity and girls were more likely to receive the medications, highlighting the need for better access and monitoring.
A new study by NYU Langone Health found a genetic link between GLP-1 use and increased risk of male-pattern hair loss. The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, showed that men using GLP-1 medications for weight loss had a 7% added risk of losing their hair due to the medication
A recent study identified three distinct BMI trajectories among people with type 2 diabetes, with stable, increasing, and decreasing trajectories associated with different comorbidities and healthcare service use. Increasing BMI was linked to a clustering of chronic diseases, while weight loss was not always indicative of better health...
A new study reveals that support from spouses and friends is crucial for successful weight loss, differing from current public health approaches. This research emphasizes the need for tailored lifestyle practices that consider individual experiences.
A new study identified why men struggle with weight loss, finding traditional diet programs are often perceived as too restrictive and female-focused. Support from spouses and incorporating sport or physical activity may be key to successful weight-loss initiatives tailored for men.
A 6-month study of 5132 MyNetDiary users found that consistent food-tracking, even with fewer than 2 days per week, is associated with better weight loss outcomes. Users who tracked food 6-7 days per week lost an average of 11.33% of their body weight, while those who tracked only 2-3 days per week lost 7.35%.
A new study by the University of Illinois Chicago found that time-restricted eating may be a safe and effective tool to control blood sugar levels in adults with Type 1 diabetes. The study, led by Krista Varady, showed a significant reduction in blood sugar levels after six months, with no increased risk of extreme highs or lows.
A new trial will assess whether Semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder, obesity, and liver disease. The four-year CURB project aims to explore the potential benefits of the weight loss drug in treating alcohol-related liver disease and obesity.
Adults who continued to eat pork while participating in a 6-month digital weight management program lost a clinically significant 5.3% of starting body weight and improved their overall diet quality scores by 4.3 points. This study challenges the notion that pork is automatically off-limits within a healthier eating plan.
A case-control study found that patients with overweight or obesity at diagnosis had better survival rates than those with normal weight. However, the apparent advantage was largely due to prediagnostic weight loss associated with cancer, and should not be taken as evidence for weight gain in healthy individuals.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that waist circumference measures nearly as accurately as a new obesity definition incorporating multiple body measurements, identifying potential health risks earlier. Waist measurement can provide a practical tool for clinicians and patients to detect unhealthy amounts of body fat.
Researchers reviewed grant data from 2015-2022, supporting investment in a strong evidence base for obesity and cancer research. Key areas of focus include obesity's impact on cancer treatment and survivorship, as well as disparities in cancer outcomes.
A cohort study investigates the association between bariatric surgery and preoperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. The results show a significant positive correlation between preoperative GLP-1 RA use and weight loss outcomes after surgery.
A hybrid lifestyle program showed potential benefits for cardiometabolic health among adherent participants with obesity, but failed to achieve significant weight loss. The study suggests further investigation into the program's effects on metabolic health.
A new study published in JACC suggests that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide critical information about cardiovascular risk, even among people with a normal BMI. Individuals with elevated central adiposity were associated with higher risks for most outcomes, regardless of their weight status.
Tirzepatide has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and hospitalizations due to infections in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The study found a relative risk reduction of about one-third, corresponding to a 36% reduced risk of infection-related hospitalization.
A low-fat vegan diet reduces dietary energy density by 30%, enabling participants to eat satisfying amounts of food while taking in fewer calories and losing weight. This approach allows for greater flexibility and sustainability in weight management, focusing on the composition of the diet rather than calorie restriction.
Adults with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of fragility fractures, but new research found GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce this risk by 21% compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. The largest reductions occurred in hip, femur, and spine fractures.
Researchers are developing a new platform for obesity drug discovery using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain organoid models. They will test thousands of potential drug compounds on specialized brain cells to identify those that activate the protein adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3), a key regulator of appetite and body weight.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge solved the puzzle of why stimulating and blocking a specific 'switch' in the brain can help people lose weight. By targeting distinct regions of the brain, they found that GIPR agonists suppress appetite, while GIPR antagonists boost weight loss by releasing a 'brake'.
Researchers identified endotrophin as a biological marker that rises and falls with changes in body fat, reflecting changes in metabolic health. The study suggests endotrophin could serve as a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target for reducing obesity-related health risks.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical will present findings on organoid models, GLP-1 therapies, and early-life nutrition. The center's broad research portfolio is represented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
Researchers developed a handheld breath detector that measures acetone levels with laboratory-level accuracy in 90 seconds. The device tracks changes in fat metabolism during various scenarios, including exercise and fasting, providing insights for clinicians to personalize treatments.
Researchers found that semaglutide treatment continued to reduce calorie intake even as participants felt hunger sensations return, contributing to sustained weight loss. Participants who took semaglutide lost an average of 15.1% of their initial body weight after 60 weeks, compared to 3.4% for placebo recipients.
Repeatedly losing and gaining weight accelerates muscle loss in middle-aged people, as found in new UC San Francisco research. The study analyzed MRI scans of 1,433 participants and found that those with fluctuating weights lost nearly four times as much thigh muscle over four years.
Researchers urge caution on GLP-1 insurance coverage due to massive budget impact and limited data supporting long-term savings. Compounded versions of the medication can be unsafe, and patients require comprehensive support to achieve weight loss and disease prevention.
The GLP-1 RA market experienced a surge in demand following the semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages. Compounded GLP-1 RAs sourced from unlicensed facilities pose clinical and regulatory challenges.
A Northwestern University study found that average total payments per user for GLP-1 drugs more than doubled from 2017 to 2022. This raises concerns about the long-term affordability of these medications, which may be taken by patients for years or decades.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that weight loss drugs can reduce key symptoms of binge eating disorder, including binge eating episodes, loss-of-control eating, and emotional eating. The study suggests that these medications could be an important part of treatment plans for people with binge eating disorder.
After Medicare expanded coverage for Wegovy to prevent heart complications in obese patients with heart disease, prescription fills jumped sharply. However, a significant fraction of eligible beneficiaries still did not receive the treatment.
Researchers have found that GLP-1 agonists can normalize genetic pathways involved in pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease associated with Long COVID. The treatment has shown promise in reducing the risk of fibrous buildup, suggesting potential benefits for people with type 2 diabetes and severe COVID-19 symptoms.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that exercise plays a crucial role in improving cardiovascular health even after significant weight loss. Participants who exercised developed healthier blood vessels and lower inflammation compared to those who relied on medication alone.
The study found a 37% increase in obesity and a two-fold increase in severe obesity among both adults and youth over 20 years. Obesity rates have major implications for cardiovascular disease and mortality, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to address the rising epidemic.
A cross-sectional study found significant increases in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) per-patient days supplied in employer plans from 2021 to 2024, driven by higher growth in weight loss coverage. This could signal a growing financial burden on patients and payers as drug costs increase over time.
A review of research on repeated weight loss and regain suggests that yo-yo dieting is not necessarily as harmful as often portrayed. The benefits of weight loss can outweigh the potential risks of later weight regain, with several large studies showing that obesity itself is a primary driver of metabolic disease risk.
Researchers analyzed TikTok videos discussing food noise, finding it's a relentless preoccupation with eating that affects daily activities. The study aims to bring evidence to differentiate between scientific claims and marketing purposes.
The AGA commentary updates the POWER framework to reflect major advances in obesity care, including effective anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery. Gastroenterologists play a crucial role in obesity management, caring for patients with related conditions.