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.

Blood metabolites reveal who will develop type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis

This large prospective study integrated blood metabolomics, genetics, and lifestyle data to identify hundreds of metabolites associated with long-term risk of type 2 diabetes in initially healthy adults. A validated 44-metabolite signature improved risk prediction beyond conventional factors, offering insights into biological pathways and opportunities for earlier, more precise prevention.

18 Jan 2026

Light daily movement linked to longer life in cardiometabolic disease

Researchers determine the impact of light physical activity on mortality in people with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.

14 Jan 2026

Weight loss drugs may cause nutritional deficiencies without proper guidance

People prescribed the new generation of weight loss drugs may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss, say experts at UCL and the University of Cambridge.

7 Jan 2026

The gut is not just digestive and new evidence shows it actively controls brain function

This comprehensive review synthesizes a decade of human and animal research to explain how the gut and brain communicate through hormonal, neural, immune, and microbial pathways. It highlights how disruptions in these pathways contribute to gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neurological disorders, and how modern therapies are beginning to exploit gut–brain signaling for clinical benefit.

6 Jan 2026

Can ketogenic diets help PCOS? New analysis points to weight and insulin gains

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies found that ketogenic diets were associated with short-term reductions in body weight, waist circumference, insulin resistance, and some reproductive hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, primarily among those with overweight or obesity. However, substantial heterogeneity, low certainty of evidence, limited safety reporting, and short follow-up periods mean the clinical effectiveness and long-term sustainability of ketogenic diets in PCOS remain uncertain.

5 Jan 2026

Maintaining a healthy weight may help avoid low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition associated with disability, work loss and economic burden to healthcare. Significant risk factors include poor sleep, physical and psychological stress, inactivity, advanced age and smoking.

5 Jan 2026

Increase in food prices can lead to stunted growth in children

When food prices skyrocket during an economic crisis, it is primarily urban populations and people with low levels of education who are affected.

2 Jan 2026

Depression links to chronic headaches through weight and diet, not physical activity alone

Depression was associated with a higher likelihood of chronic headaches in Iranian adults, with statistical models identifying body mass index and dietary iron intake as partial mediators. Physical activity was linked to depression but did not independently mediate headache outcomes, highlighting interconnected, non-causal pathways.

1 Jan 2026

High-fat cheese and cream consumption links to lower dementia risk over 25 years

Higher intake of high-fat cheese and cream was associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia over 25 years in a large Swedish cohort, while low-fat dairy showed no association. Associations were strongest for vascular dementia and among APOE ε4 non-carriers, with findings remaining observational.

23 Dec 2025

How GLP‑1 agonists are shaping the future of obesity treatment with Dr Bryony Henderson

GLP-1 agonists are pivotal in obesity care, promoting weight loss and addressing related health issues, with a focus on personalized, holistic treatment.

23 Dec 2025

Blood metabolite profiling outperforms BMI in predicting pregnancy complications

This study shows that a blood-based metabolomic signature linked to maternal BMI predicts gestational diabetes and preeclampsia more strongly than BMI alone, particularly in late pregnancy. A subset of 16 metabolites statistically mediates the BMI–gestational diabetes association, highlighting metabolic pathways that may improve prenatal risk stratification.

21 Dec 2025

Sitting harms blood vessel function, but cocoa flavanols can stop it

This study shows that cocoa flavanols can preserve endothelial function during sitting, suggesting dietary strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risks.

17 Dec 2025

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth when carefully planned with appropriate supplementation, finds a major new meta-analysis – the most comprehensive study to-date of plant-based diets in children.

12 Dec 2025

Teenagers with body image issues may develop eating disorders and depression later

Teenagers who are unhappy with their bodies are more likely to develop symptoms of eating disorders and depression in early adulthood, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

11 Dec 2025

Early warning for diabetes: AI model identifies prediabetes risk with high accuracy

A Scientific Reports study developed a pattern neural network that integrates total antioxidant status with clinical and metabolic markers to predict prediabetes in Indian adults. The model achieved very high accuracy and highlighted oxidative stress and waist circumference as key predictors, supporting earlier detection before progression to type 2 diabetes.

10 Dec 2025

Body Mass Index (BMI) News and Research

Further Reading

Blood metabolites reveal who will develop type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis

Light daily movement linked to longer life in cardiometabolic disease

Weight loss drugs may cause nutritional deficiencies without proper guidance

The gut is not just digestive and new evidence shows it actively controls brain function

Can ketogenic diets help PCOS? New analysis points to weight and insulin gains

Maintaining a healthy weight may help avoid low back pain

Increase in food prices can lead to stunted growth in children

Depression links to chronic headaches through weight and diet, not physical activity alone

High-fat cheese and cream consumption links to lower dementia risk over 25 years

How GLP‑1 agonists are shaping the future of obesity treatment with Dr Bryony Henderson

Blood metabolite profiling outperforms BMI in predicting pregnancy complications

Sitting harms blood vessel function, but cocoa flavanols can stop it

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Teenagers with body image issues may develop eating disorders and depression later

Early warning for diabetes: AI model identifies prediabetes risk with high accuracy

Emotional support in marriage associated with lower BMI and fewer food cravings

Where you live affects your weight more than you think

11 genetic loci that shape impulsive decision-making

Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers increase up to 95% faster in obese individuals

Treating sleep apnea can lower Parkinson’s disease risk

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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