Body Mass Index News and Research

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Heart structure changes in midlife linked to long-term disease risk

Higher left atrial end-systolic dimension (LASD), an increased measurement of the left upper chamber of the heart, and left ventricular mass (LVM), a clinical measurement of the weight of the heart's left ventricular myocardium, are well-established indicators of cardiovascular damage that are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the short-term (less than 10 years).

28 Mar 2026

New analysis reveals flaws in traditional BMI classification system

Research from Italy to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-15 May) and published in the journal Nutrients shows that when the gold standard technique of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used to measure body fat in the general population, it shows that the traditional WHO body mass index (BMI) classification system misidentifies significant numbers of people as having overweight or obesity.

27 Mar 2026

Obesity-driven organ enlargement may boost cancer risk

Scientists at City of Hope® and TGen (part of City of Hope) are the first to explain a major mechanism for why gaining excess weight increases your risk of cancer.

26 Mar 2026

Heavily processed foods may raise heart disease risk beyond poor nutrition alone

A 2026 review in Cardiology in Review reports that higher intake of ultra-processed foods is consistently associated with greater risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality across cohort studies and meta-analyses. The paper also highlights plausible mechanisms involving gut dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and NF-κB-driven inflammation, with additives such as emulsifiers, preservatives, dyes, and sweeteners discussed as potential contributors.

26 Mar 2026

UPFs before conception may shape fertility and embryo growth

Findings show ultraprocessed food consumption before conception influences fertility and embryonic development, urging further research in this area.

26 Mar 2026

Wholegrain rye changes gut bacteria and lowers inflammation in obesity trial

In a 12-week randomized trial, replacing refined wheat with wholegrain rye in a calorie-restricted diet did not produce greater weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. Wholegrain rye did, however, lower C-reactive protein and alter gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in ways that may have positive cardiometabolic implications.

24 Mar 2026

Excessive screen time linked to worse cardiovascular risk factors

People who reported spending six or more hours on screens outside of school or work had worse blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) compared with those with more limited screen time, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

24 Mar 2026

Breast reduction surgery is linked to lower diabetes and heart risk

Findings suggest breast reduction surgery is associated with lower long-term diabetes and cardiovascular risks, enhancing women's metabolic health.

24 Mar 2026

New cholesterol guidelines emphasize earlier risk assessment and prevention

New national guidance for managing cholesterol and other blood lipids emphasizes earlier risk assessment, more personalized treatment, and long-term prevention—including, in some cases, treatment beginning as early as age 30.

23 Mar 2026

Leaving home may worsen diet quality in young adults, Australian study finds

Australian longitudinal data suggest that leaving the parental home is associated with a small decline in overall diet quality and a short-term rise in discretionary food intake during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The study also found that diet quality tended to worsen most among those moving in with a partner, while the discretionary-food gap narrowed over time.

23 Mar 2026

How parents shape kids’ fruit and vegetable habits

This study presents a new questionnaire to assess parenting practices influencing children's fruit and vegetable intake, validated across diverse populations.

23 Mar 2026

Firmer potatoes lower post-meal blood sugar spikes

Minimally cooked potatoes may reduce blood sugar spikes, but benefits are short-lived and specific to certain populations, as shown in recent research.

23 Mar 2026

Do artificial sweeteners increase appetite or food intake?

The study evaluates artificial sweeteners' role in appetite regulation, showing no significant effects on hunger or energy intake during weight management.

20 Mar 2026

Brain age from sleep patterns may signal future dementia risk

A machine-learning analysis of brain waves recorded during sleep may help identify people at high risk of developing dementia, according to a study led by UC San Francisco and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

19 Mar 2026

A healthier thymus predicts longer life and lower cancer and heart disease risk in adults

Imaging-based analysis of over 27,000 adults shows that better thymic health is strongly associated with lower all-cause mortality, reduced lung cancer risk, and improved cardiovascular outcomes. The findings suggest the thymus remains biologically relevant in adulthood, linking immune aging, inflammation, and chronic disease risk, although causality cannot be established.

19 Mar 2026

Obesity in childhood may limit future income and opportunities

Childhood obesity may be quietly undermining one of the central promises of American life.

18 Mar 2026

Gut-derived blood markers may help predict who develops coronary heart disease

Researchers used five prospective cohorts from the US and China to identify circulating gut microbiota-related metabolites linked to future coronary heart disease, then tested the findings through discovery, in silico validation, and targeted quantitative validation. The study ultimately highlighted nine metabolites associated with incident CHD, supporting a potential role for microbial metabolism in heart disease risk while not proving causation

18 Mar 2026

More US adolescents are obese but fewer are trying to lose weight

The rising obesity rates in American adolescents, coupled with declining weight-loss efforts, signal urgent needs for targeted public health interventions.

18 Mar 2026

Weight-loss drugs linked to preterm birth risk in women with pre-existing diabetes

Weight loss drugs have been linked to an increased risk of premature births among women who took them inadvertently just before or during early pregnancy to treat pre-existing diabetes.

17 Mar 2026

Belly fat linked to heart failure risk through inflammation

New research suggests that measures of excess weight around the waist (central obesity or visceral fat) may increase the risk of heart failure primarily due to inflammation, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

17 Mar 2026