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.

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity, What Can be Done?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity Management

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Autism

See more featured articles »

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Uncontrolled high blood pressure responsible for cardiovascular emergencies in the USA

New research led by a Keele University professor has found that uncontrolled high blood pressure is the main cause of cardiovascular emergencies in the USA.

3 Oct 2022

Severe sleep apnea diagnosis panics reporter until he finds a simple, no-cost solution

I woke up in a strange bedroom with 24 electrodes glued all over my body and a plastic mask attached to a hose covering my face.

3 Oct 2022

The sexual dimorphisms in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of obesity

Researchers reviewed the sexual dimorphisms in obesity.

30 Sep 2022

Brazilian study reveals the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the central nervous system

A Brazilian study published in the journal PNAS describes some of the effects infection by SARS-CoV-2 can have on the central nervous system.

30 Sep 2022

Simple nasal wash can prevent hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19

Simple nasal washes with mild saline water can prevent hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19, if applied twice daily following a positive diagnosis, according to research led by the US-based Augusta University.

30 Sep 2022

Researchers find link between metabolism and dementia-related brain measures

Every three seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with dementia. And while there is no known cure, changes in the brain can occur years before a dementia diagnosis.

30 Sep 2022

Bariatric surgery recipients may have an elevated risk of epilepsy, study finds

People who have had bariatric surgery may have an increased risk of developing epilepsy, according to a study published in the September 28, 2022, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

28 Sep 2022

Bionic pancreas more effective at maintaining blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes

A device known as a bionic pancreas, which uses next-generation technology to automatically deliver insulin, was more effective at maintaining blood glucose (sugar) levels within normal range than standard-of-care management among people with type 1 diabetes, a new multicenter clinical trial has found.

28 Sep 2022

Exploring biological mechanisms behind the link between obesity prior to pregnancy and elevated risk of pediatric ALL

Published in Leukemia Research, University of Minnesota Medical School researchers explored the possible biological mechanisms that could explain the association between being overweight or obese prior to pregnancy and the increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.

28 Sep 2022

EHR-enabled tool to address child obesity can help children achieve positive BMI

An electronic health record (EHR) program to help primary care doctors address child obesity is an effective tool to promote positive body mass index (BMI) trends, especially among young children with obesity, according to a new University of Missouri School of Medicine study that examined the effectiveness of the FitTastic tool over an average follow-up period of nearly three years.

28 Sep 2022

TGen and ASU partner with Phoenix Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s to better understand NAFLD

The prevalence of nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD, is rising in American children, with kids of Latino ancestry being hit disproportionately hard by the disease.

28 Sep 2022

Study suggests the immune system may benefit from a measure of stress

Stress has been linked to all sorts of serious health issues, from insomnia to high blood pressure, obesity and even heart disease. But it's generally acknowledged that some stress can also be helpful, like when someone's chasing a work deadline.

28 Sep 2022

Houston Methodist researchers receive CPRIT funding to research two of the most lethal cancers

Two Houston Methodist cancer researchers have been awarded a half million dollars in funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to further research two of the most lethal, difficult-to-treat cancers that all-too-often have poor prognoses.

28 Sep 2022

mRNA boosters associated with decreased odds of hospitalization compared with the mRNA vaccine primary series alone

Researchers assessed the chances of COVID-19 hospitalization after three versus two mRNA vaccine doses.

28 Sep 2022

How the gut microbiome could affect COVID-19 severity

Researchers review the potential role of the gut microbiome in determining severe COVID-19.

27 Sep 2022

Weight loss can bring long-term health benefits for individuals with obesity, but not for lean people

Intentionally losing weight can bring long-term health benefits for individuals with obesity, regardless of the method or strategy they use, according to a study of almost 200,000 people.

27 Sep 2022

Study reveals key role of AKG/OXGR1 signaling pathway in maintaining male reproduction

Infertility is a global public health problem caused by genetic defects, lifestyle, nutrition, and factors affecting the local metabolism and microenvironment of the reproductive system.

26 Sep 2022

Coffee drinking linked with longer lifespan and lower risk of cardiovascular disease

Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day is linked with a longer lifespan and lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with avoiding coffee, according to research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the ESC.

26 Sep 2022

Does leptin play a role in Parkinson’s disease?

Scientists review in vitro and in vivo evidence associated with Parkinson's disease and leptin.

26 Sep 2022

What is the association between body fat and COVID-19?

Researchers recently assessed the association between adipose tissues and COVID-19 by evaluating autopsy cases and profiling adipose tissue responses to SARS-CoV-2 infections.

26 Sep 2022