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

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity Management

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity in Adults

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sleep

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Skin Problems

Dieting for Obese Children

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Obesity and Fast Food

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Autism

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Genetics

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity Epidemiology

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Arthritis

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Latest Obesity News and Research

International experts recommend broader use of cardioprotective diabetes drugs

SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should be used in all or almost all adults with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications, and in the majority of adults at moderate risk of complications, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today.

17 Aug 2025

GIPR signaling opens brain’s gate for GLP-1 weight-loss therapy

A Cell Metabolism study reveals that GIPR signaling in oligodendrocytes enhances brain access and weight-loss efficacy of GLP-1R agonists by increasing vascular permeability and targeting appetite-regulating neurons. This mechanism may explain why GIPR/GLP-1R co-agonists outperform single-agent therapies.

14 Aug 2025

Study finds vegetarians less likely to develop several common and rare cancers

A large North American cohort study found that vegetarian diets were linked to lower risks of several cancers, including colorectal, stomach, breast, prostate, and lymphoproliferative cancers. No evidence suggested that vegetarian eating increased cancer risk for any site.

14 Aug 2025

New 2025 guidelines focus on early intervention and lifestyle to manage high blood pressure

Preventing and managing high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as following a heart-healthy diet including reducing salt intake, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress—combined with early treatment with medication to lower blood pressure if necessary—are recommended to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline and dementia, according to a new clinical guideline published today in the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed journals Circulation and Hypertension, and in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

14 Aug 2025

Diabetes drugs linked to higher risk of rare optic nerve damage

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14 Aug 2025

Colorectal cancer rates nearly triple among younger people in Sweden

According to a study by Karolinska Institutet, nearly three times as many people under the age of 50 in Sweden are diagnosed with colorectal cancer today compared with the early 1990s.

14 Aug 2025

Genicular artery embolization relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis

A procedure performed under mild sedation in less than two hours by an interventional radiologist relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, an NYU Langone Health study shows.

14 Aug 2025

PFAS exposure increases risk of weight regain after adolescent bariatric surgery

Adolescents who undergo bariatric surgery face a higher risk of weight regain, which can undermine treatment success and long-term health, if they have elevated blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prior to the procedure, according to new USC research.

14 Aug 2025

Study investigates aging-related mechanisms in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using AI approaches

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, leading to a gradual decline in lung function and, ultimately, respiratory failure.

13 Aug 2025

Conch shell blowing lowers apnea events during REM sleep

Shankh blowing shows promise in alleviating sleep apnea, with significant improvements in sleep quality and reductions in daytime sleepiness after six months.

13 Aug 2025

New research explores foot positioning to treat knee osteoarthritis

Gait analysis and pain measures show that subtly adjusting the angle of the foot during walking may reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. This approach may also slow progression of the condition, an uncurable disease in which the cartilage cushion inside a joint breaks down.

13 Aug 2025

Study supports pre-surgery use of GLP-1 RAs for weight reduction

Overweight patients waiting for operations could safely use a particular type of weight-loss treatment to reduce the risk of surgical complications linked to their obesity, a new study reveals.

12 Aug 2025

New engineered molecule shows promise as rapid antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers, along with their colleagues, engineered a new molecule that appears promising as an effective antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning with fewer side effects than other molecules currently being tested, according to a new study published in the journal PNAS.

12 Aug 2025

New research highlights combined impact of genes and lifestyle on dilated cardiomyopathy

An international team, led by scientists from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has studied around 3000 people affected by the heart disease dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – a driver of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest.

12 Aug 2025

New Canadian guideline highlights expanded role of obesity medications

"Pharmacotherapy can help people living with obesity improve overall health, not just lose weight," says Dr. Sue D. Pedersen, MD, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist in Calgary, and lead author of this guideline. "The goal of obesity medications is to improve metabolic, mechanical, and/or mental health, and improve quality of life, incorporating treatment goals that are important to each individual patient."

11 Aug 2025

Cutting HFSS ultra-processed foods may save lives, says AHA report

The American Heart Association’s new science advisory links high consumption of ultra-processed foods to increased cardiometabolic risks and mortality, urging targeted reduction of HFSS UPFs. The report also calls for policy reforms, equity-focused strategies, and further research into mechanisms beyond nutrient content.

11 Aug 2025

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Scientists map how the brain integrates hormonal and neural signals from the body to control appetite, energy use, and reward pathways, revealing targets for next-generation anti-obesity drugs. This review highlights the interplay between neuroendocrine circuits, neuroplasticity, and pharmacotherapy for durable, non-aversive weight loss.

11 Aug 2025