Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

MRI technique reveals the heart's functional age

Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have developed a revolutionary new way of uncovering the 'true age' of your heart using MRI.

2 May 2025

Addressing the urgent health and environmental threat from endocrine disrupting chemicals

Taking place on 14 May 2025, in Copenhagen and online, the event will bring together leading European scientists, policymakers and civil society to address the urgent health and environmental threat from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

2 May 2025

COVID-19 leaves longer-lasting symptoms than flu or pneumonia, study finds

A large U.S. cohort study found that post-acute symptoms after COVID-19 vary by initial disease severity, age, sex, and comorbidities. Compared to influenza and pneumonia, long COVID presented with distinct symptom patterns and longer-lasting effects.

1 May 2025

How much ultra-processed food is too much? This study has the answer

A meta-analysis across eight countries found that every 10% increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was linked to a 2.7% rise in all-cause mortality. The study estimates up to 124,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. alone may be attributable to high UPF consumption.

1 May 2025

Extreme temperatures drive people toward high-fat diets, study finds

Short-term exposure to extreme temperatures alters dietary patterns by increasing fat intake, even when total calorie consumption remains stable. This shift, driven by physiological appetite regulation, raises the risk of high-fat diets and diet-related diseases, especially among vulnerable groups.

30 Apr 2025

Semaglutide shows promise in treating severe liver disease

Semaglutide effectively treats liver disease in two thirds of patients, new research has found.

30 Apr 2025

Curcumin shows promise for treating obesity, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers explore the medicinal role of curcumin in the treatment and prevention of neuroinflammation and metabolic disorders.

30 Apr 2025

Disrupted body clocks raise risk of early death, study finds

A large cohort study from China and the U.S. shows that Circadian Syndrome (CircS)—a cluster of metabolic and behavioral disruptions—is linked to higher all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The risk increases with the number of CircS components, especially among adults aged 40–60.

29 Apr 2025

Gut bacteria and metabolites reveal depression-linked patterns in older adults

A cross-sectional study of 400 older adults with metabolic syndrome reveals that individuals with depression have distinct gut microbiota and metabolite profiles. Eight bacterial genera and 15 fecal metabolites were significantly associated with depression, suggesting a gut-brain axis link.

29 Apr 2025

Perceived stress linked to worsened symptoms in COPD patients

Increased perceived stress may cause worsened respiratory symptoms and decreased quality of life in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

29 Apr 2025

Phthalates linked to hundreds of thousands of global heart disease deaths

Daily exposure to certain chemicals used to make plastic household items could be linked to the more than 356,000 global deaths from heart disease that occurred in 2018 alone, a new analysis of population surveys shows.

29 Apr 2025

Pecans lower cholesterol and improve diet quality in at-risk adults, study finds

Substituting 57 grams of pecans for usual snacks over 12 weeks improved lipid profiles and diet quality but did not affect vascular function in adults at cardiometabolic risk. A modest weight gain was also observed.

29 Apr 2025

Global analysis ties plastic ingredient to soaring heart disease deaths

Daily exposure to certain chemicals used to make plastic household items could be linked to more than 356,000 global deaths from heart disease in 2018 alone, a new analysis of population surveys shows.

29 Apr 2025

Obesity changes how the gut responds to plant compounds, researchers report

Researchers found that the impact of polyphenols rutin and genistein on the human fecal metabolome varies significantly by body mass index (BMI). Lower BMI individuals showed more diverse metabolic responses, revealing how gut health and obesity could shape polyphenol metabolism.

28 Apr 2025

MASLD in children linked to increased mortality and chronic complications

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found that children diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are at significantly increased risk of premature death and serious long-term health complications.

28 Apr 2025

Study links ultraprocessed foods to higher risk of premature deaths, modeling shows

A study analyzing data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality data from eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, and United States) shows that premature deaths attributable to consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) increase significantly according to their share in individuals' total energy intake.

28 Apr 2025

Think only obese people get sleep apnea? Think again, says largest study yet

Researchers assess the prevalence of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea while also considering the role of age and sex in this relationship.

28 Apr 2025

Ultra-processed foods make up nearly half of US grocery purchases, raising public health concerns

A 2025 study of nearly 60,000 US households found that almost half of grocery purchases were ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with major disparities based on income, education, and race. Non-Hispanic white households led in UPF purchases, especially in beverages, reversing earlier trends.

28 Apr 2025

Prioritizing diabetes prevention through education and lifestyle changes

With American Diabetes Alert Day approaching on March 25, 2025, the Molly Diabetes Education and Management Center for Adults and Children urges individuals, especially those struggling with prediabetes and obesity, to prioritize diabetes prevention and treatment through education, nutritional counseling, and exercise.

25 Apr 2025

Research uncovers the cellular culprit behind age-related abdominal fat

It's no secret that our waistlines often expand in middle-age, but the problem isn't strictly cosmetic. Belly fat accelerates aging and slows down metabolism, increasing our risk for developing diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases.

25 Apr 2025