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.

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity in Children

What is Obesity Paradox?

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Exercise

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Fast Food

See more featured articles »

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Sleep

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Diabetes

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity Epidemiology

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Skin Problems

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity Management

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity in Adults

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Low testosterone and high fructose intake can worsen fatty liver disease

Low testosterone in itself can cause a variety of health problems, but the addition of a poor diet can exacerbate certain conditions. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is one example that approximately 40% of adult men worldwide currently suffer from and has become a global problem.

11 Mar 2026

Wegovy linked to higher risk of eye stroke and vision loss

Wegovy, a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss, may carry the highest risk of 'eye stroke' (ischemic optic neuropathy) and sudden sight loss of the semaglutide drugs, finds an analysis of unintended side effect reports published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

10 Mar 2026

Stroke survivors under 50 face greater cognitive and mental health challenges

Analysis of a large, nationally representative survey shows that stroke survivors under age 50 have more problems concentrating and running errands and experience more poor mental health days than older stroke survivors do.

10 Mar 2026

Hormone asprosin linked to long-term weight changes after menopause

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health have identified how the hormone asprosin influences long-term weight change among postmenopausal women in the United States.

10 Mar 2026

Global study reveals how inequality limits access to exercise and why it matters for health

A global analysis of physical activity data from 68 countries shows large socioeconomic and gender inequalities in access to choice-based exercise, particularly active leisure. The study also synthesizes evidence linking physical activity to lower risks of severe infectious disease, depression, and cancer mortality, and proposes a new “physical activity for health and wellbeing” public health framework.

10 Mar 2026

Postbiotics may help treat PCOS by restoring microbiome balance

Emerging studies suggest postbiotics could aid PCOS management by restoring gut microbiome balance and enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal regulation.

10 Mar 2026

EVA1A regulates fatty acid transporter CD36 in fatty liver disease

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease（MASLD） is characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes and is closely associated with the rapid rise in insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes prevalence, making it one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide.

9 Mar 2026

Most weight lost on GLP-1 drugs returns within a year after stopping

The cessation of GLP-1RAs is linked to a 60% weight regain within a year, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for effective long-term weight loss.

9 Mar 2026

Yale study identifies parent stress as an obesity risk factor

In recent years, rates of childhood obesity have been rising, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimating in 2024 that approximately one in five children and adolescents met the clinical definition of obese.

9 Mar 2026

Med14 protein drives GLP-1 benefits in pancreatic beta cells

GLP-1s are building a reputation as "wonder drugs." First characterized for their ability to improve insulin release and treat diabetes, the drugs were later found to promote weight loss and improve cardiovascular health.

6 Mar 2026

Engineered lettuce may turn injectable GLP-1 therapies into oral pills

Few drugs have entered mainstream awareness as quickly or as dramatically as glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they have since also transformed the therapeutic landscape of obesity and weight management.

6 Mar 2026

Weekend lie-ins may boost insulin sensitivity, but too much may backfire

This study explores the relationship between sleep patterns and insulin sensitivity, emphasizing the impact of weekday sleep and weekend catch-up on metabolism.

6 Mar 2026

Drug combination shows greater weight loss while preserving muscle mass

A recent research study found that a combination of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide and bimagrumab, an antibody that blocks activin signaling pathways, results in greater weight loss while also preserving lean mass, such as skeletal muscle and connective tissue.

5 Mar 2026

Tracking physiological stress during prolonged virtual soccer

Extended esports play can lead to mental fatigue, resulting in slower and less precise decision-making (diminished executive control) and a variety of physiological responses indicative of impaired sensorimotor or cognitive function.

5 Mar 2026

Using microwave frying to create heart-healthy production methods

Fried foods are popular with consumers, but their high fat content can contribute to health challenges like obesity and hypertension. If the food industry can offer lower-fat options of similar quality, people can more easily make health-conscious food choices.

5 Mar 2026

Mapping the year-one weight trajectory after stopping GLP-1s

A year after stopping taking weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, people regain, on average, 60% of their lost weight – but beyond this, their weight regain plateaus, with individuals managing to keep off 25% of the weight lost to treatment, say researchers at the University of Cambridge.

4 Mar 2026

A sharp rise in "very short sleep" among US teens

Teenagers across the country are getting less sleep, a researcher from the University of Connecticut reports on March 2nd, 2026, in JAMA. And the problem appears to be societal.

4 Mar 2026

GLP-1 drugs may be effective at treating and preventing substance use disorders

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis show in a new study that GLP-1 medications may be effective at treating and preventing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances studied, suggesting these drugs target a common biological pathway underlying addiction.

4 Mar 2026

Why we keep craving food even when we are full

Research shows food cues activate brain reward signals, leading to eating without hunger, shedding light on obesity and appetite regulation mechanisms.

4 Mar 2026

Ultra-processed foods linked to behavioral issues in preschoolers

A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has found an association between ultra-processed foods in early childhood, and behavioral and emotional development.

3 Mar 2026