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 in Pregnancy

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity Management

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Infertility

See more featured articles »

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Cancer

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity Epidemiology

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity and Autism

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity in Adults

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity in Children

Latest Obesity News and Research

Ozempic users continue treatment when weight loss works despite side effects

A study on Ozempic for weight loss reveals user satisfaction is driven by efficacy, despite common gastrointestinal side effects impacting treatment adherence.

13 Feb 2026

Brain circuit links past experiences to appetite control

Our past experiences shape how much we eat and where and what we choose to eat. Using preclinical models, researchers from Mass General Brigham and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have identified brain cells that translate contextual information into appetite control.

12 Feb 2026

Boosting good immune cells can help fight insulin resistance and diabetes

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a surprising new way the body can fight insulin resistance and diabetes – by boosting a special type of "good" immune cell in fat tissue.

12 Feb 2026

Weight loss drug tirzepatide may lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy

The popular diabetes and weight loss medication tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro or Zepbound) may lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss, according to Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

11 Feb 2026

Breastfeeding and healthy infant diets may help lower obesity risk by age nine

nationwide Icelandic cohort study found that better alignment with infant nutrition guidelines was associated with lower odds of obesity at ages 6 and 9 years. Associations were inconsistent at younger ages, highlighting the complex and multifactorial nature of childhood weight outcomes.

11 Feb 2026

Semaglutide lowers cardiovascular events even without major weight loss, researchers report

Semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease regardless of baseline adiposity. Cardiovascular benefit was largely independent of overall weight loss, with waist circumference reduction explaining only part of the effect.

11 Feb 2026

Review links betel nut addiction to cancer, heart disease, and metabolic risks

This review examines the epidemiology, health risks, neurobiological mechanisms, and emerging treatments related to betel nut addiction worldwide. It highlights strong links with oral cancer, cardiometabolic disease, and addiction pathways while noting limited established therapies and the need for coordinated public health strategies.

11 Feb 2026

High-fat diets cause more damage to metabolic health than carbohydrates

In recent years, many media reports and social media influencers have emphasized the dangers of eating too many carbohydrates.

10 Feb 2026

Defective fat cells drive metabolic disease in lipodystrophy

Many people may have a dim view of their fat tissue, yet scientists have come to recognize adipose as a necessary and metabolically active organ, carrying out many vital functions within the body.

9 Feb 2026

Low-grade inflammation connects aging, obesity and cognitive impairment

Obesity and older age are strongly associated with low-grade inflammation in the body, a condition that appears closely linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

9 Feb 2026

Obesity drives one in ten infectious disease deaths

Just over one in 10 deaths from a wide range of infectious diseases can be attributed to obesity worldwide, finds a major new study led by a University College London (UCL) researcher.

9 Feb 2026

Tirzepatide shows dual benefits in sleep apnea trial improving metabolism and reducing inflammation

Tirzepatide significantly improved cardiometabolic risk markers in adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 trials. Mediation analyses suggest both weight loss and reduced sleep-disordered breathing contributed to improvements in inflammation, insulin resistance, lipids, and blood pressure.

9 Feb 2026

Time-restricted feeding reduces disease activity and inflammation in Crohn's patients

A new randomized controlled study funded by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation found that time-restricted feeding-a form of intermittent fasting-significantly reduced symptomatic disease activity and systematic inflammation in adults with Crohn's disease and overweight or obesity.

9 Feb 2026

Obesity drives shared genetic risk behind many chronic disease combinations

The study uncovers obesity's genetic links to chronic diseases, offering insights into multimorbidity and the potential for targeted health interventions.

9 Feb 2026

New analysis reveals hidden complexity in the vaginal microbiome

For decades, gynecological tests have relied on a simplified view of the vaginal microbiome, categorizing bacteria as either "good" or "bad."

6 Feb 2026

Inhibiting PTP1B protein improves memory in Alzheimer’s disease models

Alzheimer's disease is often measured in statistics: millions affected worldwide, cases rising sharply, costs climbing into the trillions.

5 Feb 2026

Research shows the effect of losing weight in preventing multiple diseases

Researchers have quantified the role of obesity in common long-term conditions, showing for the first time the effect of losing weight in preventing multiple diseases.

4 Feb 2026

Natural ovulation offers a safer path to IVF success

Researchers compare the effects of natural ovulation and external hormone replacement regimens for preparing the uterus before frozen embryo transfer.

4 Feb 2026

Poll: Many adults over 50 skip flu and COVID vaccines

This winter's brutal flu season isn't over, and COVID-19 cases have risen recently too. But a new poll taken in recent weeks shows that vaccination against both viruses lags among people 50 and over, and the national survey reveals key reasons why.

3 Feb 2026

Cardiologists highlight overlooked heart risks across women’s lives

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness of cardiovascular risk—particularly among younger women and women of color—has stalled, even as rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol continue to rise.

3 Feb 2026