Body Mass Index (BMI) News and Research

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Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that relates body weight to height. BMI is sometimes used to measure total body fat and whether a person is a healthy weight. Excess body fat is linked to an increased risk of some diseases including heart disease and some cancers.

BMI changes in adolescence mediate the effect of air pollution on metabolic health

Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) during adolescence play an important role in the association between air pollution exposure and insulin resistance, according to a new study led by investigators from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

20 May 2025

Gut bacteria and genes jointly shape obesity risk, review reveals hidden links

Researchers examined the heritability of body mass index (BMI), highlighting that genetics and the gut microbiome both play major roles in obesity risk. The review emphasizes that maternal microbiome transmission and family environment may help explain “missing heritability” beyond known genetic factors.

20 May 2025

Eating kombu daily enhances gut health and heart markers in men

A 12-week randomized trial found that daily intake of boiled kombu (Laminaria japonica) powder reduced body fat and raised adiponectin in Japanese men, while improving blood pressure and gut microbiota in both sexes. No significant effects were seen in women for body fat reduction or adiponectin.

20 May 2025

Higher McCance Brain Care Score linked to lower stroke risk in women

Women with a higher McCance Brain Care Score (BCS) – a score that measures physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional factors – have a lower risk of experiencing a stroke or other cerebrovascular event reducing blood flow to the brain, according to a new study conducted by experts from Mass General Brigham.

19 May 2025

Waist-to-height ratio emerges as strong predictor of heart failure risk

Waist-to-height ratio predicts heart failure incidence, according to research presented today at Heart Failure 2025, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

18 May 2025

Skipping breakfast and losing sleep: Are US girls sacrificing health to slim down?

More than half of US adolescent girls want to lose weight, even those with a healthy BMI. Many pursue weight loss while adopting habits like skipping breakfast, poor sleep, and increased screen time, highlighting a need for better health interventions.

18 May 2025

City size reduces obesity and impulsivity through better lifestyle and education

Researchers analyzing data from 915 U.S. cities found that both obesity and impulsivity (measured by ADHD rates) are less common in larger cities, with physical inactivity linking ADHD to obesity. Education and mental healthcare access further influence these patterns, highlighting modifiable factors for urban health.

18 May 2025

Preference for sweetness drives snack choices and diet quality, study reveals

Researchers explore how sweetness preference and eating behaviors interact with diet quality and added sugar intake.

18 May 2025

Lower fitness before infection raises risk of long COVID, study finds

Adults who later developed long COVID had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) before infection than those who did not. COVID-19 was not linked to accelerated or clinically significant declines in CRF, even among long COVID cases.

15 May 2025

Black tea kombucha reduces harmful gut microbes linked to obesity

Regular consumption of black tea kombucha for eight weeks beneficially shifted gut microbiota composition in both normal-weight and obese adults.

14 May 2025

Can diet ease IBS? A low-FODMAP plan cut symptoms but raised nutrient concerns

A 10-week low-FODMAP diet significantly reduced symptom severity in Saudi adults with IBS, with most shifting from severe to moderate symptoms. However, the restrictive diet also led to declines in several essential nutrients, highlighting the need for professional guidance.

14 May 2025

Portfolio diet delays heart risk and lowers cholesterol in young adults

A University of Toronto study found that higher adherence to the plant-based Portfolio Diet was associated with lower LDL cholesterol and improved cardiovascular risk markers in young adults. Modeling suggests the diet may delay cardiovascular risk onset by up to 13 years.

14 May 2025

Lipid accumulation levels reveal hidden osteoporosis risk

Researchers investigate the use of lipid accumulation products as a predictor of osteoporosis.

14 May 2025

Obesity study highlights gap in perceptions between patients and physicians

A survey of adults living with obesity and their physicians across seven countries reveals a high disconnect between their perceptions about the causes of obesity and treatment goals.

13 May 2025

Rural preschoolers face higher risk of overweight and abdominal obesity

New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain (11-14 May), reveals that 3- to 4- year olds in rural areas are more likely to be living with overweight and abdominal obesity (excess fat around waist), and spend more time on screens than their urban counterparts.

13 May 2025

Lipid buildup predicts weaker bones once it passes a critical threshold

A large cross-sectional study using NHANES data found a non-linear negative relationship between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). The association became significant only above a threshold value (ln-LAP > 2.846), independent of BMI.

12 May 2025

Tirzepatide outperforms semaglutide for weight loss in people without diabetes

A head-to-head trial found that tirzepatide led to significantly greater weight loss and waist reduction than semaglutide in adults with obesity but without diabetes. Over 72 weeks, tirzepatide helped more participants reach key weight loss milestones, with manageable side effects and strong metabolic benefits.

12 May 2025

Millions of women may be unaware of their risk for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease

Millions of women may be unknowingly living with risk factors for heart, kidney and metabolic disease – interconnected conditions that together drive risk for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women, according to experts with the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all.

12 May 2025

Adverse waist-to-height ratio trajectories during childhood linked to early cardiometabolic risk

New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain (11-14 May) reveals that adverse waist-to-height ratio trajectories (a marker for central obesity) during childhood may increase cardiometabolic and cardiovascular risk at 10 years old.

11 May 2025

Ultra-processed food boosts addiction and worsens mood, study finds

A cross-sectional study of 3,997 adults in Türkiye found that ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is strongly linked to food addiction and negative mood. Surprisingly, no association was found between UPF consumption and hedonic hunger.

11 May 2025