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 Genetics

Obesity and Skin Problems

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity Management

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Cancer

See more featured articles »

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Obesity Epidemiology

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity and Diabetes

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity and Sexual Health

What is Obesity Paradox?

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Obesity and Depression

Obesity in Adults

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity in Children

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Fast Food

Latest Obesity News and Research

Real-world data reveals higher reported GLP-1 side effects in female patients

The second of a Series of papers presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) and published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health discusses the wide-ranging issues relating to use of GLP-1 RA drug use in women.

1 Oct 2026

Early-onset type 2 diabetes trial demonstrates significant 24-week fat loss

New research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) and published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas journal shows that in people who have developed early onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) (aged under 45 years), around half these T2D cases can be reversed with a low-energy diet combined with a structured exercise program.

1 Oct 2026

Study examines the real-world use of GLP-1 RA drugs in children and young people

New research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) has examined the real-world use of GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) drugs in children and young people in Germany, Austria and Luxembourg.

30 Sep 2026

Scientists discover molecular pathway that controls cellular waste recycling

For years, TFEB has been regarded as one of the most promising therapeutic targets for restoring the cell's ability to clear and recycle waste.

30 Sep 2026

Overall dietary patterns matter more for heart health than nutrients

A healthy, balanced dietary pattern, rather than one focused on individual nutrients or foods is key to maintaining heart health, according to a Scientific Statement issued by the American College of Cardiology and published in JACC, its flagship journal.

30 Sep 2026

Childhood family environments impact midlife cardiovascular and cognitive health

Doctoral dissertation research investigated how the family environment in childhood affects health in midlife.

30 Sep 2026

Novo Nordisk Foundation funds genomic research into metabolic diseases

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed $53 million to renew and expand the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease at the Broad Institute, led by managing director Kasper Lage.

30 Sep 2026

Living environments and lifestyle factors may contribute to faster adult biological aging

Researchers from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, found that biological aging may accelerate already in early adulthood.

30 Sep 2026

Owning a smartphone at 12 linked to eating disorder symptoms

Early smartphone use is linked to a rise in eating disorder symptoms among adolescents, indicating potential mental health implications that require attention.

30 Sep 2026

Petrelintide produces double-digit weight loss with fewer side effects

New research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology shows that weekly injections with the new amylin-based obesity drug petrelintide can enable those treated to lose more than 10% of their body weight – generally lower than existing incretin-based (GLP-1 RA) drugs, but also with far fewer side effects.

29 Sep 2026

Researchers found a curious mitochondrial pattern in people who moved more

Researchers found that greater self-reported activity, walking, and accelerometer-measured light activity were associated with higher mitochondrial DNA copy number in 256 healthy middle-aged adults. The cross-sectional findings cannot establish causation, and the very low amount of vigorous activity means they do not show that light movement is more beneficial than higher-intensity exercise.

29 Sep 2026

Cold temperatures may raise eye pressure in glaucoma patients

Lower air temperatures may be associated with an increase in the fluid pressure inside the eye-a cardinal cause of glaucoma-and should be taken into consideration when treating patients with the condition, suggest the findings of research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

29 Sep 2026

$5.7 million NIH grant supports research on why lean people develop insulin resistance

A Wayne State University research team was awarded a $5.7 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health focused on discovering the biological mechanisms that may help explain why some lean people develop insulin resistance while some people with obesity remain sensitive to insulin.

29 Sep 2026

First EU Screening Week urges citizens to know their numbers

At a dedicated press conference at the EASD Annual Meeting in Milan, organized by the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF), three leading European cardiometabolic scientific associations - the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) - joined European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi to welcome the launch of the first-ever EU Screening Week.

29 Sep 2026

University of Liverpool study tracks long-term impact of non-nutritive sweetened soft drinks

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have conducted the longest and most comprehensive randomized controlled trial on non-nutritive sweetened (NNS) soft drinks.

29 Sep 2026

Targeting specific nuclear receptor could help preserve aging muscle function

Scientists in the Gerhart-Hines Group pinpoint a molecular cause of muscle aging, and a possible fix. By investigating how muscles adapt to age and disease-related decline, the scientists discovered the involvement of a druggable nuclear receptor, ERRγ, that could be targeted to preserve muscle function.

29 Sep 2026