Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

Middle-aged men most vulnerable to aging effects of new PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – 'forever chemicals' in common parlance – are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals often used in non-stick coatings, water-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packages, cleaning products, and plastics.

26 Feb 2026

Easy-to-use blood test score can help identify alcohol-related fatty liver disease

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have developed a new, easy-to-use blood test score that can help identify when fatty liver disease is being driven by excessive alcohol use, an important distinction that often goes unrecognized in routine care.

25 Feb 2026

Nearly 6 in 10 women in the U.S. may have cardiovascular disease in the next 25 years

Driven by rising rates in high blood pressure, nearly 6 in 10 women in the U.S. will have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the next 25 years, according to a new scientific statement published today in Circulation, the peer-reviewed, flagship journal of the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all.

25 Feb 2026

Parental obesity before conception raises offspring fatty liver risk

Pre-pregnancy parental overweight and obesity is linked to the next generation's heightened risk of developing fatty liver disease, a potential precursor to cirrhosis and liver failure, suggests research published online in the journal Gut.

24 Feb 2026

Combined GLP-1 and GLP-2 treatment appears safe but does not beat placebo for obesity

In a 12-week randomized phase IIa trial in adults with obesity, the dual GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor agonist dapiglutide was well tolerated but did not achieve statistically significant weight loss compared with placebo at 4 mg or 6 mg doses. Although the higher dose showed modest within-group weight reduction and improved HbA1c, unexpectedly substantial placebo-associated weight loss limited the observed treatment effect.

24 Feb 2026

Tirzepatide activates brown fat, boosting metabolism beyond appetite control

Tirzepatide is one of the drugs that has revolutionized the treatment of obesity and other conditions such as diabetes in recent years.

24 Feb 2026

Early exposure to unhealthy foods leaves lasting brain and feeding changes

Eating unhealthy foods early in life leave lasting brain and feeding changes but gut bacteria can help restore healthy eating, new University College Cork (UCC) research study finds today (Tuesday 24th February 10am)

24 Feb 2026

Swiss centenarians show youthful blood protein profiles in aging study

In Switzerland, 0.02% of the population lives beyond the age of 100. Could there be biological characteristics associated with this exceptional longevity? As part of the "SWISS100" study, the first large-scale Swiss research project dedicated to centenarians, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL) compared the blood profiles of centenarians with those of octogenarians, and then with those of individuals aged 30 to 60.

24 Feb 2026

Moderate physical activity lowers risk of sarcopenic obesity in seniors

Older people who are physically active have a significantly lower risk of developing sarcopenic obesity - a combination of obesity and weak muscles.

24 Feb 2026

Transforming obese fat cells into energy burners

Ordinary fat cells in obese animals can be induced to burn energy stores, generating substantial heat, according to a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

23 Feb 2026

WashU Medicine receives 80 million to study exceptional longevity

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received an $80 million grant to continue research into the mysteries of exceptional longevity.

23 Feb 2026

Higher ultra-processed food intake aligns with greater binge eating risk in obesity study

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods in adults with obesity was associated with disordered eating symptoms, poorer diet quality, and lower protein intake. The cross-sectional findings suggest dietary processing level may influence eating behaviour patterns relevant to obesity management, though causality cannot be inferred.

23 Feb 2026

New review explores whether berries can slow cognitive decline linked to obesity

This systematic review in Nutrients evaluates human studies investigating whether polyphenol-rich berry consumption can modulate obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and support cognitive performance, particularly in individuals at risk of mild cognitive impairment. Evidence suggests modest memory benefits and possible metabolic improvements, although biomarker findings and long-term clinical relevance remain uncertain.

22 Feb 2026

New technique synthesizes non-natural amino acids for advanced peptide therapeutics

Ozempic has been making headlines for its remarkable success in treating obesity and diabetes. Yet it is just one in a rapidly growing class of drugs called peptide therapeutics that sits between small molecules (like aspirin) and biologics (like antibodies).

20 Feb 2026

Short anti-junk food ads cut adult cravings

Research reveals how ad length and framing impact junk food cravings, offering insights for effective public health campaigns targeting different BMI groups.

20 Feb 2026

Low-fiber diets quickly impair emotional memory in aging brains

Past studies in animals have shown that a highly processed diet is linked to memory problems and inflammation in the aged brain – and the effect can happen fast, after just three days of poor eating.

19 Feb 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

Gut microbiome may shape response to GLP-1 drugs, new review suggests

This review examines how GLP-1 receptor agonists and the gut microbiome influence one another through bile acid signaling, short-chain fatty acids, and inflammatory pathways. It explores how microbial composition may shape treatment response and highlights the need for controlled human studies to enable microbiome-informed precision therapy.

19 Feb 2026

Intermittent calorie restriction proves as effective as daily calorie cuts for type 2 diabetes

A post-hoc analysis of two clinical trials compared continuous calorie restriction with early time-restricted eating in adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity over three months. Both approaches improved weight, body composition, and metabolic health, with no clear superiority except for lower dropout with intermittent restriction.

18 Feb 2026

How GLP-1 drugs affect the body beyond weight loss and glucose control

This review evaluates the safety profile of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and related incretin therapies used for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It highlights common gastrointestinal effects, rare but debated risks, and areas where further long-term safety data are still needed.

18 Feb 2026