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.

Global study finds new set of genes associated with body fat distribution and obesity

Two major international studies looking at data from a quarter of a million people around the globe have found a new set of genes associated with body fat distribution and obesity. Researchers at 280 institutions worldwide, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, conducted the studies. The research, published in the October 10 online edition of Nature Genetics, sheds light on the biological processes involved in body fat distribution, possibly leading to new ways of treating obesity.

12 Oct 2010

Study to uncover genetic basis of obesity

An international consortium has made significant inroads into uncovering the genetic basis of obesity by identifying 18 new gene sites associated with overall obesity and 13 that affect fat distribution. The studies include data from nearly a quarter of a million participants, the largest genetic investigation of human traits to date.

11 Oct 2010

UT Southwestern initiates study on hormone leptin for people with type 1 diabetes

A clinical trial at UT Southwestern Medical Center aims to determine whether adding the hormone leptin to standard insulin therapy might help rein in the tumultuous blood-sugar levels of people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

11 Oct 2010

Study: Cost of obesity among U.S. full-time employees estimated to be $73.1 billion

The cost of obesity among U.S. full-time employees is estimated to be $73.1 billion, according to a new study by a Duke University obesity researcher, published today in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

8 Oct 2010

NIH grants $3.7 million to develop more accurate algorithms for tracking fetal development

Fetal growth is used as a marker of health and well-being in unborn babies as well as children. But, the tools that are currently available to differentiate between a small, healthy fetus and a fetus that is small due to pathologic causes have significant limitations. What if they were improved. Would it save the health care system resources spent monitoring women who might need medical intervention because their fetuses might just be small and healthy. Would it help some women avoid the anxiety such intervention brings.

7 Oct 2010

Look AHEAD intervention program improves risk factors in obese, type 2 diabetic patients

An intensive lifestyle intervention program designed to achieve and maintain weight loss improves diabetes control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to four-year results of the Look AHEAD study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results are published in the Sept. 27, 2010, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

4 Oct 2010

Obesity linked to overfeeding during infancy: Study

Two studies have found that babies who put on weight too fast in their first months are more likely to become fat as adults. The studies showed that at 5–8 years old, children who were given the enriched formula had more body fat than those who were given normal formula.

1 Oct 2010

Astellas Pharma announces Phase IV study results of Lexiscan injection at ASNC session

Today Astellas Pharma US, Inc. announced results of a Phase IV study showing Lexiscan(regadenoson) Injection was comparable to placebo in causing a >15% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are likely candidates for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) studies.

27 Sep 2010

ImThera Medical releases interim results of clinical study on neurostimulation device for treating OSA

ImThera Medical, Inc. today announced interim results from its OSA European clinical study. For the study, ten patients have been surgically implanted with ImThera's aura6000 hypoglossal nerve neurostimulation device for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The target population for ImThera's neurostimulation device is moderate and severe OSA patients who are non-compliant with or cannot tolerate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

22 Sep 2010

Novartis' SOM230 reduces cortisol levels in Cushing's disease patients

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today that the results of a Phase III study of SOM230 (pasireotide) showed a reduction in cortisol levels in patients with Cushing's disease, a condition in which a benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumor causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol and can be fatal. Results will be presented at the 14th Congress of the European Neuroendocrine Association (ENEA).

22 Sep 2010

Individual costs of being overweight and obese in the U.S.

The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services' Department of Health Policy today released a report that, for the first time, calculated the startlingly high individual costs of obesity to Americans.

22 Sep 2010

Fatty issues

In a new survey it was seen that too fat and too thin people suffer more from depressive moods. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index published these findings it its September 17 issue and noted obese and underweight Americans are more stressed, worried, angry and sad than their overweight and normal weight friends.

22 Sep 2010

Metabolism imbalance increases asthma risk in children: Research

Even children of a healthy weight who have an imbalanced metabolism due to poor diet or exercise may be at increased risk of asthma, according to new research, which challenges the widespread assumption that obesity itself is a risk factor for asthma.

17 Sep 2010

Current economic crisis threatens to affect cancer incidence: Report

Although overall mortality from cancer is decreasing in the European Union, its incidence increased by almost 20%, from 2.1 million new cases in 2002 to 2.5 million in 2008, says a special issue of the European Journal of Cancer on cancer prevention, published today.

13 Sep 2010

Joslin's Asian American Diabetes Initiative enhances web site

The Asian American Diabetes Initiative at Joslin Diabetes Center has unveiled exciting additions to its web site, http://aadi.joslin.org, offering innovative, interactive and culturally relevant tools for Asian Americans who live with diabetes and their healthcare providers.

9 Sep 2010

Obese adolescents' recovery to normal weight by young adulthood difficult

The older teens get, the more likely they are to pack on pounds, and obesity rates climb sharply between adolescence and young adulthood, finds a new study from Australia.

8 Sep 2010

Bariatric surgery before pregnancy reduces odds of developing gestational diabetes

Obese women who have bariatric surgical procedures before pregnancy were three times less likely to develop gestational diabetes (GDM) than women who have bariatric operations after delivery, according to new research findings published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The retrospective study also found that delivery after bariatric procedures was associated with reduced odds of cesarean section-an outcome associated with GDM.

8 Sep 2010

GI Dynamics announces data on EndoBarrier therapy for type 2 diabetes, obesity

GI Dynamics, a leader in non-surgical, endoscopic treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity, today announced data with the EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner at 12 months showing significant weight loss and cardiovascular and metabolic improvements in obese patients.

7 Sep 2010

Insufficient nighttime sleep among infants may develop childhood obesity risk: Report

Insufficient amounts of nighttime sleep among infants and preschool-aged children may be a significant risk factor for developing childhood obesity, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Additionally, napping does not appear to be an adequate substitute for nighttime sleep in terms of preventing obesity.

7 Sep 2010

Majority of Americans still unable to lose weight, researchers say

Only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese loses weight and maintains that loss, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

4 Sep 2010

Body Mass Index (BMI) News and Research

Further Reading

Global study finds new set of genes associated with body fat distribution and obesity

Study to uncover genetic basis of obesity

UT Southwestern initiates study on hormone leptin for people with type 1 diabetes

Study: Cost of obesity among U.S. full-time employees estimated to be $73.1 billion

NIH grants $3.7 million to develop more accurate algorithms for tracking fetal development

Look AHEAD intervention program improves risk factors in obese, type 2 diabetic patients

Obesity linked to overfeeding during infancy: Study

Astellas Pharma announces Phase IV study results of Lexiscan injection at ASNC session

ImThera Medical releases interim results of clinical study on neurostimulation device for treating OSA

Novartis' SOM230 reduces cortisol levels in Cushing's disease patients

Individual costs of being overweight and obese in the U.S.

Fatty issues

Metabolism imbalance increases asthma risk in children: Research

Current economic crisis threatens to affect cancer incidence: Report

Joslin's Asian American Diabetes Initiative enhances web site

Obese adolescents' recovery to normal weight by young adulthood difficult

Bariatric surgery before pregnancy reduces odds of developing gestational diabetes

GI Dynamics announces data on EndoBarrier therapy for type 2 diabetes, obesity

Insufficient nighttime sleep among infants may develop childhood obesity risk: Report

Majority of Americans still unable to lose weight, researchers say

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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