Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

New GE SPHHS building to serve as convening place for public health leaders

The George Washington University announced today plans to begin construction of a new building for its School of Public Health and Health Services on Pennsylvania Avenue, to be completed in the summer of 2014.

15 May 2010

Rich Canadian men increase their likelihood of being overweight

In Canada, in stark contrast with the rest of the world, wealthy men increase their likelihood of being overweight with every extra dollar they make. The new study was led by Nathalie Dumas, a graduate student at the University of Montreal Department of Sociology, and presented at the annual conference of the Association francophone pour le savoir.

15 May 2010

Fat tissue different in men and women

The age-old question of why men store fat in their bellies and women store it in their hips may have finally been answered: Genetically speaking, the fat tissue is almost completely different.

15 May 2010

New initiative to reduce health inequities

A major new initiative by the University of Maryland aims to eliminate health disparities in the state and extend the impact of health reform. The university's School of Public Health has recruited a team of nationally recognized faculty-researchers who will create action programs to improve primary care and expand public health outreach, so as to reduce the high rates of chronic disease in Maryland's medically underserved communities.

14 May 2010

Redpoint Bio first-quarter 2010 net loss reduces to $1.7 million

Redpoint Bio Corporation, a company focused on the development of healthier foods and beverages and new approaches to the treatment of diabetes and obesity, today announced financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

14 May 2010

New research to improve treatment for oesophageal and upper stomach cancer

Poor diet, too much alcohol, smoking and increasing obesity could be leading to an epidemic of oesophageal and upper stomach cancer, according to a leading UK team of specialists at The University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals.

14 May 2010

Off-label use of AAs among elderly associated with increased risk of diabetes: Study

A new study yields important new evidence that the use of atypical antipsychotics among the elderly for off-label purposes is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes.

14 May 2010

Interleukin Genetics reports 166% increase in overall genetic test revenue for first-quarter 2010

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

14 May 2010

Smoking, obesity and alcohol use associated with poorer survival of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

A new study led by researchers from Mayo Clinic in collaboration with six other U.S. institutions has found that patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who smoked, consumed alcohol or were obese before their cancer diagnosis had poorer overall survival, compared to patients who did not have these risk factors.

14 May 2010

Minnesota lawmakers debate budget, Medicaid expansion

More budget talks were expected Thursday as Minnesota's legislative session hurtled toward a midnight Sunday deadline with no deal on a $3 billion deficit. The Democratic-controlled Legislature defied another veto threat from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Wednesday and sent him a health and welfare package he opposes.

14 May 2010

New laparoscopic procedure for hernias

Christopher Haarstad, 36, was surprised at how well he felt a couple of hours after having laparoscopic surgery for a hernia in March.

14 May 2010

Calcium deficiency may make people more prone to osteoporosis, obesity in later life: Study

There's no denying that people need calcium for strong, healthy bones. But new research from North Carolina State University suggests that not getting enough calcium in the earliest days of life could have a more profound, lifelong impact on bone health and perhaps even obesity than previously thought.

14 May 2010

Boston Scientific's ACUITY Break-Away Lead Delivery System receives FDA clearance

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance of the ACUITY Break-Away Lead Delivery System for use with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers, both of which treat heart failure.

14 May 2010

Data on Qnexa to be presented at World Congress on CODHy in Prague

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that data on Qnexa, an investigational drug candidate, will be presented at the 3rd World Congress on Controversies to Consensus in Diabetes, Obesity and Hypertension in Prague, Czech Republic.

13 May 2010

Parents must step up as role models against childhood obesity, says physical education teacher

Over the past 20 years, physical education teacher Terry Wade has seen a dramatic change in her students. Childhood obesity is rampant, and lack of exercise and overeating is leading to serious health problems in kids. What to do? Step up as role models and lead by example, says Wade, who is also a volunteer coordinator for the youth fitness and nutrition program Marathon Kids.

13 May 2010

Michelle Obama releases plan to 'reverse childhood obesity'

USA Today: "First lady Michelle Obama unveiled a plan today to 'reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity' and called for help from governments, schools and businesses as well as the families themselves. ... Obama and her aides released a task force report titled Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation. The goal, she said, is to 'ensure that our children can have the healthy lives and the bright futures that they deserve'" (Jackson, 5/11)

13 May 2010

First Edition: May 12, 2010

Today's headlines include reports about new congressional budget office projections that increase the 10-year costs of the health overhaul law.

12 May 2010

Merck hosts R&D and Business Briefing

Merck & Co., Inc. today hosted its first R&D and Business Briefing since the completion of the Merck and Schering-Plough merger. The event included a comprehensive review of the company's late-stage pipeline, as well as the company's commercial strategy and progress made in the integration of Merck's worldwide operations.

12 May 2010

Children who eat lunch as part of NSLP have increased likelihood of becoming overweight: Research

With obesity becoming an epidemic among school-aged children in this country, a Georgia State University professor has found a link between overweight children and federal school nutrition programs.

12 May 2010

International Dairy Foods Association issues statement on Childhood Obesity Report

The International Dairy Foods Association issued the following statement by Connie Tipton, president and CEO, regarding today's Report to the President by the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity:

12 May 2010