Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

Researchers elucidate the effect of nutritional parameters in long-term PPI therapy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common esophageal disorder, and frequently encountered in the primary care setting. Accumulating evidence has confirmed the excellent efficacy and safety of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in patients with all grades of GERD, making these agents the mainstay of treatment.

24 Oct 2009

Curriculum to increase science literacy and generate enthusiasm for life sciences among high school students

A new curriculum called The Great Diseases will bring real-world biomedical research to students in three Boston high schools. The result of a collaboration between scientists from Tufts University School of Medicine and teachers from the Boston Public Schools, the curriculum presents current threats to global health through laboratory learning, multimedia, and case-based studies

24 Oct 2009

Researchers find link between hepatic steatosis and carotid lesions

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often caused by abdominal obesity, which is also one of the main causes of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The latter, in turn, is an important cardiovascular risk factor, and has been found to be associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic lesions.

24 Oct 2009

FEMA finds Senomyx' S6973 sucrose enhancer safe

Senomyx, Inc., a leading company focused on using proprietary technologies to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients for the food, beverage and ingredient supply industries, announced today that it has been notified by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) that its sucrose enhancer, S6973, has been determined to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

24 Oct 2009

Recent releases in Global Health

"The spread of dengue virus throughout the tropics represents a major, rapidly growing public health problem with an estimated 2.5 billion people at risk of dengue fever and the life-threatening disease, severe dengue," write the authors of a Lancet Infectious Diseases review that examines what is known about the virus and progress in the development of a dengue vaccine (Webster et. al, 11/09).

24 Oct 2009

Learn to recognise stroke symptoms and take action: World Stroke Organization

The theme of this year's World Stroke Day on 29th October is "What can I do?". As the World Stroke Organization says, everyone can do something: learn to recognise symptoms and take action, learn to recognise the risk factors and take action.

24 Oct 2009

Low adiponectin levels may increase sepsis related complications

A new Canadian study has found that lower-than-normal levels of a naturally-occurring fat hormone may increase the risk of death from sepsis-an overwhelming infection of the blood which claims thousands of lives each year.

24 Oct 2009

PPA reaches historic milestone; helps the six millionth person

After visiting more than 3,000 cities in all 50 states, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) has reached a historic milestone today by helping the six millionth person at an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

24 Oct 2009

Wellness and prevention mostly absent in health reform bills

"Despite Americans' poor lifestyle choices and the chronic problems they spawn, the health-care reform proposals being considered in Congress contain relatively little to promote wellness," The Tennessean reports.

24 Oct 2009

Dr. Anthony Falcon: We're facing a catastrophic situation on the border

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jessica Marcy talks with Dr. Antonio Falcon, a physician in the border town of Rio Grande City, Texas. He explained his concern "about several health threats facing border communities, including tuberculosis, diabetes, obesity and the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu."

24 Oct 2009

EnteroMedics reports financial results for 2009 third quarter

EnteroMedics Inc., the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity and other gastrointestinal disorders, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

23 Oct 2009

Medgenics signs $7 million agreement to develop the Biopump technology for Factor VIII

Medgenics is pleased to announce that it has signed a preclinical development and option agreement with a major international biopharmaceutical company that is a market leader in the field of hemophilia.

23 Oct 2009

Community based initiative to help combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyles

President Bill Clinton made a special appearance on October 10 to open the Weight Watchers Presents Fun and Fit in the City -- at the Harlem Children's Zone in Harlem, NY. Part of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, the free community based initiative -- which drew over 800 attendees -- was created to help combat obesity and provide practical tips for families to follow healthier lifestyles.

23 Oct 2009

Vasamed partners with BBHOP for peripheral arterial disease research

On Saturday, November 7, 2009 Vasamed Inc., provider of diagnostic technologies that detect peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes, will partner with the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP) in its mission to help African Americans identify the connection between peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetes, obesity and hypertension through early detection and referral to appropriate medical resources.

23 Oct 2009

Yissum Research Development signs long-term multi-project collaboration agreement with Roche

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the University, today announced that it has signed a long-term multi-project research and license collaboration agreement with Roche.

23 Oct 2009

Physicians' negative attitudes toward obese patients can affect quality of care

Doctors have less respect for their obese patients than they do for patients of normal weight, a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. The findings raise questions about whether negative physician attitudes about obesity could be affecting the long-term health of their heavier patients.

23 Oct 2009

AAFP receives MetLife Foundation grant to counter childhood obesity

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the AAFP Foundation announce that they have been awarded a $150,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, designed to counter the national epidemic of childhood obesity by empowering family physicians with new ways to promote physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being. The partnership will produce educational materials for children, including books and publications.

23 Oct 2009

Important guidelines from IDF for diabetes care

The Guidelines are the work of the IDF Task Force on Clinical Guidelines, which is focused on meeting the critical global need to provide up-to-date evidence-based information and training for healthcare professionals.

23 Oct 2009

Plant-based foods could help fight obesity and heart disease

The cheeseburger and French fries might look tempting, but eating a serving of broccoli or leafy greens first could help people battle metabolic processes that lead to obesity and heart disease, a new University of Florida study shows.

22 Oct 2009

Toolkit to help U.S. employers address the growing problem of childhood obesity

Saying that employers can no longer afford to ignore the epidemic of childhood obesity, the National Business Group on Health today announced the launch of "Childhood Obesity: It's Everyone's Business," a toolkit designed to help U.S. employers address the growing problem of overweight and obese children.

22 Oct 2009