Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

Exendin-4 could effectively treat addiction

Vanderbilt researchers are reporting today that a drug currently used to treat type 2 diabetes could be just as effective in treating addiction to drugs, including cocaine.

24 Oct 2012

New project aims to devise programs that help reduce risk of cancer

Most people know that smoking, a bad diet, and physical inactivity can lead to catastrophic personal health consequences, including cancer. Yet millions continue to smoke, eat poorly, and fail to get enough exercise.

24 Oct 2012

Tonsillectomy does not lead to unhealthy weight in children

Tonsillectomy leads to weight gain in children, but does not increase the likelihood of overweight or obesity, report researchers.

23 Oct 2012

Metabolic pathway for insulin effects of sleep identified

Sleep deprivation reduces insulin sensitivity in human fat cells, which could, over time, lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes, researchers report.

23 Oct 2012

Initial insight into sedentary behavior counseling practices in primary care settings

Although primary care physicians take care of many aspects of health and disease, little is known about how they can change sedentary behavior through counseling, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

23 Oct 2012

Researchers investigate effects of sleep architecture on hunger

A new study shows that both length of time and percentage of overall sleep spent in different sleep stages are associated with decreased metabolic rate, increased hunger, and increased intake of calories (specifically from fat and carbohydrates). The findings suggest an explanation for the association between sleep problems and obesity.

23 Oct 2012

Parental stress may be important risk factor for child obesity and related behaviors

Parents with a higher number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children, according to a new study by pediatric researchers. Furthermore, when parents perceive themselves to be stressed, their children eat fast food more often, compared to children whose parents feel less stressed.

23 Oct 2012

Computers, TVs may increase risk of poor lifestyle habits among children

Children who bask in the nighttime glow of a TV or computer don't get enough rest and suffer from poor lifestyle habits, new research from the University of Alberta has shown.

23 Oct 2012

Highlights of colorectal cancer research from ACG annual scientific meeting

Women under age 50 who have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and first, second and third degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer may have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to two separate studies unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.

23 Oct 2012

Reuters special report examines PAHO's 'partnership' with food, beverage industry

To fight chronic "diseases in Mexico, the nation with the world's highest rate of obese and overweight adults, a Reuters investigation found that WHO's regional office has turned to the very companies whose sugary drinks and salty foods are linked to many of the maladies it's trying to prevent," the news service reports.

23 Oct 2012

Case reports highlight importance of vitamin and mineral supplementation after bariatric surgery

Non-compliance with vitamin and mineral supplementation protocols after bariatric surgery could lead to nutritional deficiencies and related health complications, such as heart damage, according to two separate case reports unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.

23 Oct 2012

Roundup: Ore. says up to 200K could remain uninsured by 2019; High hopes for CO-OPs in Calif.

A 2010 report published by the Oregon Office of Health Policy Research estimates that 35 percent of currently people lacking insurance would remain uninsured by 2019, despite expanded coverage by the Affordable Care Act. The publication does not give the raw numbers of Oregonians with insurance versus those without. But comparing it with data released by Kaiser Family Foundation that same year -- which says about 565,000 Oregonians currently lack insurance -- it can be extrapolated that about 200,000 people will be uninsured in 2019.

23 Oct 2012

Protective association between statin use and esophageal cancer

Statins, a cholesterol lowering drug may lower the risk of esophageal cancer, especially in patients with Barrett's esophagus, Mayo Clinic researchers report in a study being presented at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting.

23 Oct 2012

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may face increased risk of Barrett's Esophagus

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may face an increased risk for Barrett's Esophagus (BE), regardless of other risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to research unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 77th Annual Scientific meeting in Las Vegas.

23 Oct 2012

Teenagers with obesity can benefit from gastric bypass surgery just as much as adults

Teenagers with severe obesity can benefit from gastric bypass surgery just as much as adults. A study by Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden found that 81 teenagers lost an average of 96.8 pounds following surgery, significantly improving their health and quality of life.

23 Oct 2012

Stress in parents linked to obesity in their children

22 Oct 2012

Rhythm presents RM-131 Phase 1 clinical trial results for diabetic gastroparesis at ACG 2012

Rhythm announced today the results of two Phase 1 clinical trials of RM-131, the company's novel ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis, which demonstrated that RM-131 greatly accelerates gastric emptying in healthy subjects with good tolerability.

22 Oct 2012