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.

Think only obese people get sleep apnea? Think again, says largest study yet

Researchers assess the prevalence of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea while also considering the role of age and sex in this relationship.

28 Apr 2025

Early antibiotic use linked to higher childhood BMI

Taking antibiotics within the first two years of life is linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) in childhood, according to a new study. The research will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 24-28 in Honolulu.

25 Apr 2025

What’s behind Gen Z’s skepticism about Ozempic and Wegovy

A U.S. study of over 500 youth aged 14–24 found high awareness but widespread hesitation about using semaglutide for weight loss. Concerns focused on safety, social stigma, and a preference for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

24 Apr 2025

Mediterranean diet helps manage rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s, study shows

The Mediterranean diet shows promise in managing both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Its anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating properties may reduce disease activity and improve metabolic outcomes.

23 Apr 2025

Can a plant-based diet help prevent breast cancer?

A case-control study in Iranian women found that higher adherence to a healthy plant-based diet significantly reduces breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women and those with a BMI under 25. In contrast, high intake of unhealthy plant-based foods raised risk in premenopausal women.

22 Apr 2025

Only 13% of French adults have optimal heart health, study finds

Researchers assessed the Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health (CVH) scores in over 190,000 French adults, revealing that only 13% had optimal CVH. Higher scores were associated with being younger, female, well-educated, and having healthier lifestyle factors.

21 Apr 2025

Diabetes drugs GLP-1RA and SGLT2i lower dementia risk in older adults, study finds

A large population-based study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), two classes of glucose-lowering drugs used in type 2 diabetes, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). These findings suggest potential neuroprotective benefits and highlight drug repurposing as a promising strategy for ADRD prevention.

21 Apr 2025

One in five boys and men may have an eating disorder

A new study has found that over 1 in 5 boys and men in Canada and the United States may meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness, tailored prevention efforts, and inclusive clinical support for this under-recognized group.

21 Apr 2025

Traditional BMI cut-offs overestimate overweight and obesity in male athletes

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that the internationally recognized body mass index (BMI) cut-off points greatly overestimate overweight and obesity in male athletes.

18 Apr 2025

New Canadian guidelines offer comprehensive approach to managing pediatric obesity

Researchers provide evidence-based recommendations to manage pediatric obesity.

17 Apr 2025

Modified Japanese diet shows promise for lowering blood pressure, study finds

A study of 12,213 Japanese workers found no link between hypertension and the traditional Japanese diet, but a modified version emphasizing whole grains, fruits, and dairy showed a potential protective effect. The findings highlight how modernizing traditional diets with nutrient-rich foods may combat high blood pressure.

16 Apr 2025

EAT-Lancet planetary diet shows no dementia risk, may protect against Alzheimer’s

In a large Swedish study, researchers found that the environmentally sustainable EAT-Lancet diet does not increase dementia risk and may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and all-cause dementia, particularly in people without the APOE ε4 gene. The findings support the integration of sustainable diets into dementia prevention strategies.

15 Apr 2025

Digital lifestyle program cuts diabetes risk by 46% in prediabetics, study of 130k+ adults reveals

A large study of 133,764 adults found that a voluntary digital lifestyle program reduced 10-year diabetes risk by 45.6% in prediabetics and doubled remission rates in diabetics, with significant improvements in triglycerides, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers like hs-CRP.

14 Apr 2025

Gen Z orders 6x more takeout online than seniors—how age reshapes global food habits

Over half of adults in five countries used online food retail platforms in the past month, with the highest use in Mexico and the US. Younger adults, men, ethnic minorities, and families with children were significantly more likely to order food online.

14 Apr 2025

Moderate iron intake linked to lower colon cancer risk

Researchers investigate the association between iron consumption and the incidence of colorectal, colon, and rectal cancer in South Korea.

14 Apr 2025

Food pantries uncover hidden diabetes crisis in West Chicago

A screening initiative in West Chicago found that 50% of food-insecure individuals had abnormal A1c levels, with many unaware they were diabetic or prediabetic. The findings highlight a critical gap in diagnosis and control among underserved communities.

13 Apr 2025

Adolescent obesity in England rises by 50% over 15 years

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that the proportion of adolescents living with overweight or obesity in England has increased by 50% from 2008-2010 (22%) to 2021-2023 (33%).

12 Apr 2025

Probiotics improve emotional state in healthy adults, study finds

A randomized controlled trial in 88 healthy adults found that probiotics reduced negative mood when assessed using daily self-reports, though traditional questionnaires failed to detect significant changes. These findings suggest that daily mood tracking may offer a more sensitive way to capture subtle emotional effects of probiotics in non-clinical populations.

10 Apr 2025

Six early life factors found to influence obesity risk in South Asian children

Researchers at McMaster University have identified six key factors in the first three years of life that influence the trajectory of obesity in South Asian children.

10 Apr 2025

Could your milk choice affect migraines?

Skim milk consumption is linked to a lower prevalence of migraines in U.S. adults, according to a large NHANES-based study. The association remained significant even after adjusting for lifestyle, diet, and demographic factors.

9 Apr 2025