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 Infertility

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Fast Food

See more featured articles »

Obesity, What Can be Done?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Skin Problems

Obesity Management

Obesity and Fractures

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Arthritis

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Depression

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

Obesity and Cancer

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity and Anesthesia

Latest Obesity News and Research

How tobacco-style product design shaped a kids’ lunchbox staple

A historical case study shows how tobacco-style research, consumer testing, and product reformulation strategies helped shape and expand a child-focused ultra-processed meal brand. The paper argues that tobacco and ultra-processed food regulation should be studied together, as both sectors used similar product-design strategies to boost appeal and maintain consumer loyalty.

5 Jun 2026

Tobacco giants helped push ultra-processed foods into global markets

New research reveals how major tobacco companies used cigarette-era business tactics to expand packaged food empires, raising fresh questions about the global spread of ultra-processed and hyper-palatable foods.

4 Jun 2026

Fathers' health may shape children's future obesity ris

As obesity rates rise across the U.S., new research from Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine scientists draws attention to an often-overlooked factor in children's long-term health: fathers.

4 Jun 2026

Fast food is crowding out grocery access across the U.S.

A 20-year analysis of US neighborhood foodscapes found that food swamps became more common from 2003 to 2023, while food deserts showed little improvement. Rural communities and people relying on public transport faced the greatest barriers to reaching healthy food retailers.

4 Jun 2026

Current chronic kidney disease diagnostic thresholds reflect true patient risk

The thresholds for kidney function currently used to diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD) reflect a true increase in the risk of serious illness.

4 Jun 2026

Why exercise matters for obesity even when the scale barely moves

AHA's scientific statement reveals exercise's vital role in obesity management, boosting cardiovascular health and supporting long-term weight loss efforts.

4 Jun 2026

Exercise during pregnancy links to lower infant BMI at one year

Supervised exercise during pregnancy may lower infant BMI and reduce obesity risk, highlighting the impact of maternal health on early growth trajectories.

4 Jun 2026

Real-world study exposes suboptimal adherence to treat-to-target rheumatic strategies

EULAR - The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology - acknowledges the role of diverse real-world data to complement knowledge from randomized controlled trials.

4 Jun 2026

Could GLP-1 drugs help prevent breast cancer? New study points to a possible link

A large retrospective cohort study of 111,646 overweight or obese women found that GLP-1 agonist exposure was associated with lower breast cancer incidence. After propensity-score matching, GLP-1 exposure was linked to nearly 30% lower odds of breast cancer, but the authors stress that randomized trials are needed before these drugs can be considered for prevention.

3 Jun 2026

Americans view ultraprocessed foods as addictive and harmful

Across partisan lines, Americans broadly believe ultraprocessed foods are addictive and harmful – expressing attitudes strikingly like those that spurred regulation of the tobacco industry, new Cornell University-led research finds.

3 Jun 2026

Continuing gout therapy during remission lowers future flare risk

The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology - held its 2026 annual Congress in London, where gout was high on the agenda.

3 Jun 2026

GLP-1 treatments may reduce knee replacement surgery rates

GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, used for the treatment of diabetes, and more recently, weight loss, are associated with a significantly lower long term risk of knee replacement surgery as a result of osteoarthritis, finds an analysis of medical records data, published in the open access journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

2 Jun 2026

GLP-1 therapy linked to slower biological aging processes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications have gained widespread attention for effectively treating obesity, lowering blood sugar and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2 Jun 2026

Existing drug mitigates muscle loss from GLP-1 medications

Millions of Americans are currently taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss.

2 Jun 2026

New funding supports cutting-edge research to combat cancers across South Texas

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, recently received over $2.7 million in new academic and prevention awards from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to further its mission of combating cancers across South Texas.

2 Jun 2026

Lifestyle habits predict long-term health better than cancer treatment history

Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for childhood cancer survivors, reducing risks of chronic conditions and improving quality of life more than treatments.

2 Jun 2026

AI is mapping health stigma faster than it is fixing it

This scoping review of 70 studies found that AI is used mainly to detect and measure health-related stigma, rather than to reduce it. Evidence that AI can reduce stigma remains early, limited, and concentrated in mental health conversational-agent studies.

1 Jun 2026

Pediatric experts reveal the 10 research areas set to shape child health

Pediatric research leaders identified 10 high-promise areas likely to shape child health over the next 5 to 10 years, including genomics, mental health, vaccines, artificial intelligence, perinatal medicine, precision therapeutics, health equity, nutrition, environmental health, and cancer treatment. The paper argues that these opportunities will only translate into better outcomes if pediatric research receives sustained funding, public trust, workforce support, advocacy, and equitable implementation.

1 Jun 2026