Obesity

Overweight and obesity are defined by the WHO as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals health.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and while it was once an issue only in high income countries, overweight and obesity has now dramatically risen in low- and middle-income countries.Such countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease, for while they continue to deal with the problems of infectious disease and under-nutrition, they are also experiencing a rapid upsurge in chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban settings.

What is Obesity?

Obesity and overweight have in the last decade become a global problem - according to the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults over the of age 15+ were overweight, at least 400 million adults were obese and at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight.

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity, What Can be Done?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity Management

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Autism

See more featured articles »

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Environmental stressors linked to fetal brain development challenges

Review article in the journal Antioxidants explores the impact of environmental factors on fetal and neonatal brain development, emphasizing the role of inflammation and oxidative stress from maternal stressors.

15 Apr 2024

Oregon study finds no clear link between mRNA vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths in young people

Study in Oregon finds no definitive link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths among residents aged 16-30, emphasizing vaccine safety amidst ongoing public health discussions.

15 Apr 2024

Exercise shown to curb appetite in diabetes and prediabetes patients

Study explored how exercise impacts appetite among individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, finding that acute exercise often suppresses appetite, while chronic exercise generally maintains or reduces appetite without adverse effects.

15 Apr 2024

Two decades of data confirm Mediterranean diet cuts hypertension risk

Over a 20-year study, adherence to the Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the incidence of hypertension among adults initially free from the condition, emphasizing the diet's long-term benefits in managing blood pressure.

15 Apr 2024

Does maternal weight influence breastfeeding success?

Study reviews literature to explore the influence of maternal body size on breastfeeding success, examining the onset of lactation, milk volume, and infant consumption among mothers of varying body sizes.

14 Apr 2024

Cas13d-NCS: A game-changer in RNA virus defense

The rise of RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 highlights the need for new ways to fight them. RNA-targeting tools like CRISPR/Cas13 are powerful but inefficient in the cytoplasm of cells, where many RNA viruses replicate.

13 Apr 2024

Non-invasive imaging test identifies patients needing heart procedures

A new study showed that a non-invasive imaging test can help identify patients with coronary artery blockage or narrowing who need a revascularization procedure. ,

13 Apr 2024

Restoring insulin sensitivity without TZD side effects

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of drug that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes by reversing insulin resistance, one of the main hallmarks of the disease.

13 Apr 2024

Unraveling the mysteries of gastro-esophageal junction development

The transition from the esophagus to the stomach is a delicate region from a medical point of view, often associated with pathological disorders leading to cancer.

13 Apr 2024

Exercise boosts beneficial hormone transfer in breastfeeding mothers

Although women have breastfed since the beginning of time, there is very little scientific research on how exercise affects breast milk.

12 Apr 2024

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Arizona turns back the clock on abortion access

The Arizona Supreme Court shook up the national abortion debate this week, ruling that a ban originally passed in 1864 — before the end of the Civil War and decades before Arizona became a state — could be enforced.

12 Apr 2024

New review explores the key gender differences in sleep, circadian rhythms and metabolism

A new review of research evidence has explored the key differences in how women and men sleep, variations in their body clocks, and how this affects their metabolism.

12 Apr 2024

Treating gum disease during AFib blanking period could reduce recurrence risk

Study evaluates whether treating periodontitis during the blanking period after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation reduces AF recurrence, revealing that comprehensive periodontal care may significantly diminish recurrence rates by addressing inflammation linked to periodontitis.

12 Apr 2024

Are we eating what's really good for us? New insights into macronutrients and chronic disease

Review explores the impact of macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats on health, emphasizing the need for precision in dietary guidance to manage and prevent chronic diseases effectively.

11 Apr 2024

Linking lifestyle to longevity: How diet and hypertension sway risks for heart disease and cancer

Study reviews epidemiological evidence linking modifiable risk factors like diet and hypertension to both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, suggesting a shared pathophysiology and potential strategies for simultaneous prevention and management.

11 Apr 2024

Gut bacteria play a pivotal role in obesity's impact on body fat metabolism

Review explores the complex interplay between gut microbiota dysregulation in obesity and its impacts on white and brown adipose tissue metabolism, focusing on direct and indirect effects on mitochondria, highlighting potential avenues for obesity treatment through microbiota-focused strategies.

11 Apr 2024