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.

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Overview

Feature Articles

Latest Obesity News and Research

Look AHEAD study: Type 2 diabetes patients who were physically active in the afternoon have greater reductions in blood sugar

Look AHEAD study: Type 2 diabetes patients who were physically active in the afternoon have greater reductions in blood sugar

Expectant mothers and fathers remain unprepared for parenthood, new report warns

Expectant mothers and fathers remain unprepared for parenthood, new report warns

Illinois Tech selected as enrollment site for NIH's landmark initiative to advance nutrition research

Illinois Tech selected as enrollment site for NIH's landmark initiative to advance nutrition research

Study identifies a novel druggable signaling molecule involved in obesity and diabetes

Study identifies a novel druggable signaling molecule involved in obesity and diabetes

Telephone-based weight loss program can help patients with breast cancer to reduce their weight

Telephone-based weight loss program can help patients with breast cancer to reduce their weight

Markey one of 71 NCI designated cancer centers in the U.S.

Markey one of 71 NCI designated cancer centers in the U.S.

Are inadequate culinary skills among undergraduate students associated with obesity and overweight?

Are inadequate culinary skills among undergraduate students associated with obesity and overweight?

Tumors in distant organs remotely reprogram the liver

Tumors in distant organs remotely reprogram the liver

New review unravels phthalates’ role in heart disease

New review unravels phthalates’ role in heart disease

Physical activity in the afternoon provides greatest improvements in glucose control for patients with type 2 diabetes

Physical activity in the afternoon provides greatest improvements in glucose control for patients with type 2 diabetes

Poor eating habits of university students can contribute to future health issues

Poor eating habits of university students can contribute to future health issues

Study sheds light on global disparities in mortality rates from liver disease

Study sheds light on global disparities in mortality rates from liver disease

Does long-term exposure to air pollution impact cardiometabolic health markers?

Does long-term exposure to air pollution impact cardiometabolic health markers?

Precision nutrition and the gut microbiome: the impact of blueberries

Precision nutrition and the gut microbiome: the impact of blueberries

Study maps cellular responses to blood sugar

Study maps cellular responses to blood sugar

Mediterranean diet shown to be good for health and also the weekly budget

Mediterranean diet shown to be good for health and also the weekly budget

COVID-19 'bites the apple': Abdominal obesity ignites cytokine storm

COVID-19 'bites the apple': Abdominal obesity ignites cytokine storm

Study unravels links between obesity, mental health, and self-esteem in adolescents: Early intervention key to prevention

Study unravels links between obesity, mental health, and self-esteem in adolescents: Early intervention key to prevention

Researchers design new tool to remove clinician barriers in providing weight management care

Researchers design new tool to remove clinician barriers in providing weight management care

Focusing on satiety and satiation may be better for weight loss success

Focusing on satiety and satiation may be better for weight loss success