Obesity

Overweight and obesity are defined by the WHO as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals health.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and while it was once an issue only in high income countries, overweight and obesity has now dramatically risen in low- and middle-income countries.Such countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease, for while they continue to deal with the problems of infectious disease and under-nutrition, they are also experiencing a rapid upsurge in chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban settings.

What is Obesity?

Obesity and overweight have in the last decade become a global problem - according to the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults over the of age 15+ were overweight, at least 400 million adults were obese and at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight.

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity, What Can be Done?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity Management

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Autism

See more featured articles »

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Safety-focused summary of GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetes, obesity, and beyond

A recent review in Diabetes Care evaluates the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes and obesity, exploring their potential for new medical indications.

18 Jun 2024

Diet quality in America shows modest improvement from 1999 to 2020

Poor diet continues to take a toll on American adults. It's a major risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and more than one million Americans die every year from diet-related diseases, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

17 Jun 2024

Research finds link between fatty foods and anxiety

When stressed out, many of us turn to junk food for solace. But new University of Colorado Boulder research suggests this strategy may backfire.

17 Jun 2024

Study reveals doubling of chronic hypertension in pregnancy from 2008 to 2021 in the U. S.

The number of individuals in the U.S. who had chronic hypertension or chronic high blood pressure during pregnancy doubled between 2008 and 2021, while the prescribing and filling of antihypertensive medication during pregnancy remained low but stable at 60%, according to new research published today in Hypertension, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

17 Jun 2024

Are we using more sugar substitutes? Wastewater analysis reveals trends in Swedish cities

A study in Environment International used wastewater analysis to track artificial sweetener usage in five Swedish communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding no significant health risks from consumption levels.

17 Jun 2024

Study reveals the effects of protein-rich diets on the gut microbiome and overall health

New research has shed light on the effects of protein-rich diets on the gut microbiome and overall health. Despite the increasing protein intake in Western diets, especially among athletes and individuals with obesity, the fate of undigested protein and its impact on human health remains largely unknown.

16 Jun 2024

Study shows the benefits of evening physical activity on glucose metabolism

The results, obtained by a team of scientists from the University of Granada (UGR), could have multiple practical implications, especially for people at risk of developing insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

14 Jun 2024

New insights into the role of adipokines in atrial fibrillation pathogenesis

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular and frequently rapid electrical activity in the atria.

14 Jun 2024

Wegovy and Ozempic linked to reduced incidence and recurrence of alcohol abuse or dependence, study suggests

Researchers investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of semaglutide for alcohol use disorders.

14 Jun 2024

Effects of time-restricted eating and calorie restriction on sex hormones

The effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) and caloric restriction (CR) on sex hormones.

14 Jun 2024

Blood-based biomarkers could revolutionize Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment

A recent review outlines the necessary factors for widespread implementation and interpretation of Alzheimer's disease blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) at the population level, emphasizing the potential for early detection and improved diagnosis.

14 Jun 2024

Younger gut microbiota age reduces cardiovascular disease risk in older adults

Researchers identified gut microbiota signatures and developed a microbial age metric, demonstrating that a younger microbial age may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in metabolically unhealthy older adults.

14 Jun 2024

Pre-surgery GLP-1 agonists reduce post-operative risks in extreme obesity

A combination of GLP-1 agonists taken before metabolic and bariatric surgery may help patients with extreme obesity lower the risk of post-operative complications, according to a new study presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.

13 Jun 2024