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 Epidemiology

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Obesity and Depression

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

See more featured articles »

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Arthritis

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Hormones

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity and Autism

Obesity Management

Obesity and Skin Problems

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity in Adults

Latest Obesity News and Research

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

Whole-body PET scans track metabolic recovery after weight-loss surgery

A novel PET imaging framework reveals that bariatric surgery impacts not only body weight, but also the metabolic function of multiple organs.

1 Jun 2026

BMI may miss millions with obesity-related conditions

Could the way doctors traditionally measure obesity allow a subset of people with obesity-related health risks slip through the cracks?

1 Jun 2026

Mature intestinal cells regain stem cell behavior to trigger tumor growth

In a groundbreaking study, Stevens researchers show how colorectal cancers can evolve from mature intestinal cells that revert to stem cells.

1 Jun 2026

Physical activity protects heart health regardless of weight loss

With obesity now affecting more than 40% of U.S. adults and fueling rising rates of heart disease, a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association calls for a comprehensive treatment approach that puts physical activity front and center.

1 Jun 2026

Healthy lifestyles reduce cardiovascular risks for childhood cancer survivors

Healthy lifestyles can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications in childhood cancer survivors.

1 Jun 2026

Weight loss drugs could widen health inequalities without nutritional support

Drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are transforming obesity treatment, but without affordable, healthy food and appropriate support, they could widen health inequalities in the UK, according to researchers at UCL and the University of Cambridge.

1 Jun 2026

Bariatric surgery improves long-term ability to manage household tasks

People who undergo bariatric surgery and see substantial weight loss are better able to cope with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.

1 Jun 2026

Review explores complex associations between sleep apnea and lung cancer

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, which may contribute to lung cancer development and progression.

29 May 2026

Healthy lifestyles reduce chronic health risks for childhood cancer survivors

Healthy lifestyles can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications in childhood cancer survivors. These are the findings of two new international studies.

29 May 2026

Obesity alters tumor environment promoting invasive breast cancer growth

Obesity may change how early-stage breast cancer becomes invasive, according to a study by University of Oklahoma researchers published in The American Journal of Pathology.

28 May 2026

LSU study examines how restrained sitting limits early childhood movement

Researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with investigators from 32 countries participating in the SUNRISE International Study, have published new findings examining how restrained sitting contributes to daily movement patterns in early childhood.

28 May 2026

Scientists rethink GLP-1 delivery to improve dosing, tolerability, and adherence

The review highlights nanocarriers, microspheres, hydrogels, microneedles, long-acting formulations, and co-formulations as promising but mostly early-stage strategies that still require stronger long-term clinical evidence.

27 May 2026

How do everyday spices help protect the heart?

A Nutrition Reviews supplement article reviewed controlled studies showing that culinary spice and herb blends may improve selected cardiometabolic risk markers, including post-meal triglycerides, insulin responses, inflammation, endothelial function, and 24-hour blood pressure. The review also highlighted exploratory evidence that spices and herbs may influence immune-cell activity, circulating phytochemical metabolites, and gut bacterial composition, while emphasizing the need for longer and more diverse studies.

27 May 2026