Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

UQ researchers discover how our genes, environment influence BMI and height

Environmental conditions influence our body mass index by increasing or decreasing the effect of inherited genetic variations, University of Queensland researchers have discovered.

23 Aug 2019

Study finds genetic links to childhood obesity across different ethnicities

An international team of researchers who analyzed data across multiple ethnicities has produced the largest genetic study to date associated with common childhood obesity.

22 Aug 2019

Weight loss before arthroplasty improves some outcomes in patients with morbid obesity

In patients with morbid obesity, losing 20 pounds before knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) leads to fewer hospital days and other outcome improvements, reports a study in the August 21, 2019 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

22 Aug 2019

Enzyme induced by stress associated with liver cancer growth

An enzyme induced by stress to help reduce production of damaging free radicals is also used by liver cancer to regulate two major cell proliferation pathways that enable the cancer to thrive, scientists report.

22 Aug 2019

Single course of antibiotics may boost colon cancer risk

In an extensive "data mining" analysis of British medical records, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center conclude that taking even a single course of antibiotics might boost--albeit slightly--the risk of developing colon cancer--but not rectal cancer--a decade later.

22 Aug 2019

Meaningful PTSD symptom improvement linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes

Research from Saint Louis University finds treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that leads to an improvement in symptoms was associated with a 49 percent lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes.

21 Aug 2019

Scientists discover how brown fat may help protect against obesity and diabetes

Rutgers and other scientists have discovered how brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue, may help protect against obesity and diabetes.

21 Aug 2019

British ready meals deemed healthier than those sold in India and China

British processed foods are reported to be the healthiest in the world, whereas India and China rank lowest for packaged food product quality.

21 Aug 2019

Cancer survivors could be at greater risk of cardiovascular diseases

Over the last few decades, medical progress has led to the survival of many more people with cancer. However, a new study published in The Lancet shows that this cohort has a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than controls without cancer, due to a number of reasons.

21 Aug 2019

Changes to mitochondria drive inflammation in type 2 diabetes, not glucose

To date, the underlying causes of inflammation in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been poorly understood, which has hampered efforts to develop treatments to prevent complications from a disease that is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

21 Aug 2019

Physical activity in adolescence associated with 39% reduction in risk of colorectal adenoma

The effects of more than 60 minutes of moderate daily physical exercise, such as walking, accumulate throughout life and are associated with a 39% reduction in the risk of advanced adenomatous polyps, a precursor of colorectal cancer, the third most frequent type of cancer in Brazil.

19 Aug 2019

Research shows link between long working hours and low life expectancy

Countries which have an average working week that exceeds 48 hours die an average of two years earlier than those that work for 45 hours or less, new research shows.

19 Aug 2019

Implantable brain chip could solve obesity epidemic

Scientists have developed tiny brain chips that alter the area of the brain involved in binge eating. The device is now being tested in humans with obesity.

19 Aug 2019

Fruit fly model for studying diseases like gout, kidney stones reveals new drug targets

A new fruit fly model that mimics diseases associated with high uric acid levels, such as gout and kidney stones, has revealed new targets for developing treatments for these diseases.

From PLOS ONE 16 Aug 2019

Machine learning reveals links between genetic factors and behavior

Researchers have used machine learning to start making links between seemingly instinctive, random behaviors and genetic factors.

15 Aug 2019

Impulsive behavior associated with less sleep and more screen time

A paper published today in Pediatrics suggests that children and youth who do not sleep enough and use screens more than recommended are more likely to act impulsively and make poorer decisions.

14 Aug 2019

Study highlights how high fat diet affects one component of gut immune system

Researchers have discovered how our choice of diet can weaken our gut immune system and lead to the development of diabetes.

13 Aug 2019

Researchers find new target for disease of the heart's smallest blood vessels

When we race walk, for example, part of our healthy heart muscle may want a little more blood and oxygen, so our tiniest blood vessels send a message upstream to the larger vessels to send more.

12 Aug 2019

Eat more plant‐based food, less meat, for better heart health

What many scientists been saying for decades turns out to be most likely true, according to a recent study that looked at diet. Eating more food from the plant category and less animal-based food could benefit your heart and reduce your odds of dying of a stroke.

12 Aug 2019