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Pennington Biomedical Research Center investigates tirzepatide's role in weight loss and metabolic health

Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center investigated tirzepatide's effects on weight loss and metabolic health. The study found that tirzepatide decreased calorie intake and increased fat oxidation, leading to significant weight loss. However, the drug did not decrease the slowing down of metabolic rate usually observed wi...

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 24, 2025

Study finds women much more likely to be aware of and have good understanding of obesity drugs

A study published by the European Association for the Study of Obesity found that women are significantly more aware of and have a better understanding of obesity drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide. Understanding tolerable side effects, effectiveness, and ability to maintain weight loss is crucial for people commencing treatment.

Tirzepatide can produce clinically meaningful weight loss for at least 3 years in adults with overweight or obesity who don’t have diabetes

A new study found that tirzepatide can produce sustained weight loss of up to 31% in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes, regardless of age or BMI. The study also identified patterns of weight loss trajectories and found that females and those without obesity-related complications may be more responsive to the medication.

4:3 Intermittent fasting shows modestly greater weight loss than daily caloric restriction

A randomized clinical trial found that 4:3 intermittent fasting resulted in modestly greater weight loss over 12 months compared to daily caloric restriction. The study showed improved cardiometabolic outcomes, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, suggesting that fasting may be a more effective approach for weight loss.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMar 31, 2025

Do lifetime body weight patterns affect kidney cancer risk?

New research suggests that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life and losing weight later in life may reduce the risk of kidney cancer. Higher BMI at various ages across adulthood was associated with increased risks of developing different types of kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma, papillary RCC, and chromophobe RCC.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 24, 2025

Weight loss protects – even when weight is regained

A Swedish study of over 1,300 participants found that losing a significant amount of weight still offers protection against health issues like cancer and cardiovascular disease, even if some weight is regained. However, regaining weight can increase the risk of microvascular disease and other health problems.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2025

Swapping animal products for plant-based foods—no matter how processed—leads to weight loss, finds new study

Replacing animal products with plant-based foods, even highly processed ones, can lead to substantial weight loss due to reduced calorie and fat intake and increased fiber consumption. This is according to a new analysis of a randomized clinical trial published in Nutrition & Metabolism.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalNutrition & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

Weight loss increases risk of death for obese adults

A recent study published in Heart journal found that extreme weight fluctuations significantly increase the risk of death among obese individuals with cardiovascular disease. Both weight loss and gain above 10kg raise mortality risk, highlighting the importance of maintaining a stable weight even within the obese range.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalHeart·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2025

Fitness apps fuelling disordered eating

A systematic review of 38 studies found that frequent use of health and fitness apps is associated with problematic habits related to food and exercise. The research highlights the need for app developers to consider the psychological impacts of these tools on users' mental health.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBody Image·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 19, 2025

Moderate exercise keeps appetite at bay

A recent study by Murdoch University reveals that moderate-intensity exercise significantly influences appetite-related hormones and perceptions in males with obesity. The study confirms the benefits of incorporating regular exercise into daily routines for weight management and overall health improvement.

SourceMurdoch University·JournalPhysiological Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 28, 2025

Boosting this molecule could help retain muscle while losing fat

A new study from the Salk Institute has discovered that a protein called BCL6 plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy muscle mass. Increasing BCL6 levels successfully reversed muscle losses in mice, suggesting that pairing GLP-1 medications with a BCL6-boosting drug could help counteract unwanted muscle loss.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2025

Insurance coverage, type of employment shape inequities in access to semaglutide

A new study found disparities in access to semaglutide based on insurance plan, job industry, sex, and other factors. Individuals with female identities, preferred provider organization coverage, and antidepressant use were more likely to start taking semaglutide compared to males or those with certain employment industries.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJan 22, 2025

Study identifies benefits, risks linked to popular weight-loss drugs

A recent study published in Nature Medicine analyzed over 2 million veterans taking GLP-1RA medications, finding benefits to cognitive and behavioral health while revealing increased risks for pancreatitis and kidney conditions. The study also showed decreased risks of seizures, addiction, suicidal ideation, and neurocognitive disorders.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 20, 2025

Study reveals how sex and racial disparities in weight loss surgery have changed over 20 years

A new study by Mass General Brigham investigators found that Black people were less likely than non-Black people to undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery, even though both groups were equally likely to discuss it with health care providers. Men were also less likely to discuss and receive MBS than women.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Surgery Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2025

Intermittent fasting is effective for weight loss and improves cardiovascular health in people with obesity problems

A 12-week study found that intermittent fasting, especially time-restricted eating, leads to greater weight loss and reduced abdominal subcutaneous fat compared to a nutrition education programme. This study suggests that this strategy can be an effective method for improving cardiovascular health in people with obesity problems.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 8, 2025

GLP-1 RA medications safe and very effective for treating obesity in adults without diabetes

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists to be effective for weight loss in adults with obesity, including promising options not yet FDA-approved. The study also showed similar safety profiles across agents, with mild gastrointestinal side effects being the most common.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJan 6, 2025

More calories – more consumption: Individuals with and without obesity both prefer high-calories food

A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with and without obesity prefer high-calorie foods, regardless of their taste or texture. The researchers used a large group of healthy volunteers to compare food preferences among three groups: individuals with obesity, post-bariatric surgery patients, and non-obese controls.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

Alcohol use and antiobesity medication treatment

A cohort study found that nearly half of participants who consumed alcohol at baseline decreased their alcohol use after initiating anti-obesity medication treatment. The medications, such as naltrexone and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), may have properties that lead to reduced cravings for alcohol.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 26, 2024

Replacing animal products with plant-based foods leads to 92% reduction in hot flashes in postmenopausal women, finds new study

A new study finds that replacing meat and dairy products with plant-based foods leads to a 92% reduction in hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The study also shows weight loss in both healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets, suggesting even 'unhealthy' plant-based foods can be beneficial.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalBMC Women s Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 25, 2024

Anti-obesity drugs, lifestyle interventions show cardiovascular benefits beyond weight loss

Studies published in JACC found that anti-obesity drugs such as tirzepatide and semaglutide improved cardiac structure and function, as well as reduced cardiac risk biomarkers with lifestyle interventions. These findings suggest that these treatments may have a transformative impact on cardiovascular health beyond weight loss.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 18, 2024