Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

Arena receives FDA approval for Belviq to treat obesity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride), as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management.

28 Jun 2012

Covidien introduces campaign to help educate women about risk of VTE during pregnancy

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the launch of its "1 in 1,000" campaign to help educate women about the risk of pregnancy-related blood clots, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the developed world.

28 Jun 2012

OCC members praise FDA approval of new obesity drug – Belviq

Today, members of the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC) applauded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of a new obesity drug – Belviq (lorcaserin HCl). Belviq is the first obesity drug to be approved in the past 13 years.

28 Jun 2012

Humanetics receives U.S. patent for NIC5-15 to treat Alzheimer's

The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent supporting a long-term, multi-year research and development collaboration between Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) and Humanetics Corporation to develop and commercialize a safe and effective means to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Humanetics is the exclusive licensee for this patent.

28 Jun 2012

Study suggests adverse role for BclI polymorphism in obesity and insulin resistance

A large study in people at risk of diabetes has found a direct association between the presence of a small genetic alteration in a hormone receptor and increased body fat and insulin resistance. The results, to be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston, suggest an adverse role for a previously described genetic variant, the BclI polymorphism.

28 Jun 2012

Viewpoints: Look who's worried about activist judges now; No matter what the court decides, a bipartisan plan will be needed

It's a great pleasure, in this week when the entire political world is hanging on the Supreme Court's health care ruling, to welcome so many liberals to a cause dear to my heart: The crusade for judicial restraint.

28 Jun 2012

Taking steps to reduce diabetes risk

Modest amounts of daily walking can significantly reduce the risk for incident diabetes in obese and relatively inactive individuals, show findings from a US study.

27 Jun 2012

Exposure to phthalates may raise childhood obesity risk

Obese children have higher exposure to phthalates than nonobese children, suggest results presented at ENDO 2012 in Houston, Texas, USA, the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society.

27 Jun 2012

EU agenda focusses on lifesyle changes towards healthy diets and improved physical activity

A common Strategic Research Agenda of 22 countries in Europe focusses on lifesyle changes towards healthy diets and improved physical activity. Biomarker research, nutrigenomics, perzonalized food supplies and the prevention of chronic lifestyle related diseases are key-fields of the Joint Programming Inititative " A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life."

27 Jun 2012

Obese patients with appendix less likely to have complications after minimally invasive procedure

Obese patients who need to have their appendixes removed fare better after a minimally invasive surgical procedure rather than an open operation, according to a new study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

27 Jun 2012

High-calorie food images stimulate brain's appetite control center

A picture may be worth a thousand calories, a new study suggests. Looking at images of high-calorie foods stimulates the brain's appetite control center and results in an increased desire for food, according to the study, which will be presented Monday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

27 Jun 2012

Obese children show greater exposure to phthalates

Obese children show greater exposure than nonobese children to a phthalate, a chemical used to soften plastics in some children's toys and many household products, according to a new study, which found that the obesity risk increases according to the level of the chemical found in the bloodstream.

27 Jun 2012

Federal task force urges docs to screen for obesity, offer counseling

An advisory panel on Monday recommended that obese adults receive intensive counseling. This step could lead to an expansion of insurance coverage for weight-loss treatments.

27 Jun 2012

Researchers examine how parenting style is associated with sedentary behaviour

In two studies published in a special issue of the journal Early Child Development and Care devoted to "Parental Influences of Childhood Obesity", researchers examine how parenting style - whether a strict but loving parent or a less-involved and more permissive parent - was associated with sedentary behaviour.

27 Jun 2012

Child obesity could be cut by healthy eating advice for new mums

Teaching new mums about healthy eating and active play can help cut the risk of their child being overweight or obese, a study published today on bmj.com finds.

27 Jun 2012

OOM women in mid-pregnancy have reduced levels of EDCs than general population

A lifestyle that features fresh foods and limited use of products likely to contain environmental chemicals has been shown to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as BPA and phthalates, in a small population study. EDCs are linked to a number of adverse health complications including neuro-developmental delays, behavioral issues and fertility problems.

27 Jun 2012

GUMC receives NIH grant to establish Center of Excellence for Health Disparities

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a $6.1 million grant over the next five years to Georgetown University Medical Center to establish the Center of Excellence for Health Disparities in Our Nation's Capital.

27 Jun 2012

Women with PCOS and sleep apnea more likely to develop prediabetes

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who also have obstructive sleep apnea have at least three times the risk of having prediabetes compared with women who do not have PCOS, according to a new study.

27 Jun 2012

Study finds increase in incidence of gout and hyperuricemia in the U.S.

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that the incidence of gout and hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) in the U.S. has risen significantly over the last 20 years and is associated with major medical disorders like hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

27 Jun 2012

Seahorse Bioscience launches XF Palmitate-BSA FAO Reagent for FAO assays

Seahorse Bioscience, the world leader in manufacturing instrumentation and assay kits for measuring cellular metabolism, has announced the launch of its newest product, the XF Palmitate-BSA FAO Reagent, eliminating the need for radioactivity in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) assays.

27 Jun 2012