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 Heart Disease

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity Epidemiology

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity in Children

See more featured articles »

Obesity and Hormones

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Arthritis

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity in Adults

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity Management

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Skin Problems

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Periodontitis

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Latest Obesity News and Research

New study identifies shared risk factors for breast cancer and atrial fibrillation

Alcohol use and smoking were linked to breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 years and older in multiple regions of the world, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

8 Jul 2026

Sexual and gender minority populations are less likely to receive cancer screening

A study reveals significant disparities in cancer screening rates among sexual and gender minorities, highlighting the need for equitable healthcare access.

8 Jul 2026

Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rise in England

Hospital admissions for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have increased in England in recent years, according to research presented today at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

7 Jul 2026

Persistent high cortisol levels increase hypertension risk in patients with adrenal tumors

A major new study, published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has shown that cortisol levels in patients with adrenal tumours are far less stable than previously assumed.

7 Jul 2026

Updated ABCs framework gives clinicians a clearer path to prevent heart disease

A 2026 State-of-the-Art review updates the ABCs of cardiovascular disease prevention to help clinicians apply contemporary risk assessment, lifestyle, pharmacologic, and cardiometabolic strategies in routine care. The framework emphasizes PREVENT™ risk equations, Life’s Essential 8, CKM syndrome, obesity care, lipid lowering, blood pressure control, healthy aging, heart failure prevention, and atrial fibrillation management.

7 Jul 2026

New study identifies potential compound for pancreatic cancer treatment

Announcing a new article publication in BIO Integration. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), an epitranscriptomic regulator, has been implicated in cancer progression and immune regulation but the therapeutic relevance in pancreatic cancer is unclear.

7 Jul 2026

Gut microbiome changes can signal future type 2 diabetes risk

The presence of certain bacteria in the gut microbiota, and fluctuations in a person's metabolism, can be seen in people who go on to develop type 2 diabetes years later.

7 Jul 2026

U.S. obesity rates rose sharply between 1999 and 2023

Obesity rates among U.S. adults and children rose sharply in recent years and by 2023, 40% of adults and 20% of youth met the criteria for obesity, according to new, independent research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

7 Jul 2026

Breaking up long periods of sitting is linked to lower cancer risk

The study highlights that how sedentary time is accumulated affects cancer risk, with prolonged sitting linked to higher risk and activity offering protection.

7 Jul 2026

Blood markers reveal metabolic impact of ultra-processed food consumption

Consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) results in a distinct metabolic 'signature' in the blood, associated with potentially adverse health conditions, a new study by an international team of researchers finds.

6 Jul 2026

Six weeks of shorter sleep increases weight and sedentary time

People who shortened their sleep by around 80 minutes a night for six weeks gained weight-one pound on average-and were more sedentary, researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons have found.

6 Jul 2026

AI uncovers hidden molecular signals linked to thrombosis risk

Two people may be the same age and have similar family histories or risk factors, yet only one of them may develop thrombosis.

6 Jul 2026

Meat and dairy cuts may improve health without raising food costs

A Scottish microsimulation study found that reducing meat and dairy intake, especially red meat among high consumers, could improve modeled health and environmental outcomes without increasing diet costs. However, some nutrient intakes, particularly calcium and iodine, declined, highlighting the need for carefully planned substitutions and fortified alternatives.

6 Jul 2026

Study tracks why rural residents face higher chronic disease risks

Following the release of data from Assumption Parish earlier this year, researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center have published the first set of data from the Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal, or RURAL, Heart and Lung study in Franklin Parish. The data book for Franklin Parish is now available to explore.

6 Jul 2026

New study highlights noninvasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection

Emerging discoveries in liquid biomarker research promise to transform early detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a new study, offering less invasive alternatives to traditional methods that often require surgical interventions or tissue biopsies.

6 Jul 2026

Thirty years of data reveal changing heart health trends in obesity

A study reveals narrowing gaps in blood pressure and cholesterol between obesity and normal BMI, highlighting evolving cardiometabolic risks over three decades.

6 Jul 2026

Insilico Medicine highlights AI drug discovery progress at executive summit

Dr. Alex Aliper, Co-founder and President of Insilico Medicine, will attend the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 7.

3 Jul 2026

Study reveals double burden of malnutrition among low-income urban children in India

Children growing up in a low-income urban community in Vellore are now facing two seemingly opposite forms of malnutrition simultaneously: persistent thinness and rising obesity by the time they reach primary school age.

2 Jul 2026

Insilico Medicine partners with Takeda for AI-driven drug discovery

Insilico Medicine, a leader in clinical-stage generative AI for drug discovery, today announced a strategic collaboration agreement with Takeda to use its proprietary end-to-end platform, Pharma.AI, to advance drug candidates across the company's therapeutic areas.

2 Jul 2026

Eight-hour eating window sustains long-term weight loss

The study, in which the University of Granada (UGR) participated and which was recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, involved 99 adults—half of whom were women—who were overweight or obese.

2 Jul 2026