Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

New regulator of fat metabolism identified

Over the past several years, animal studies have shown that high-fat, low-carbohydrate “ketogenic” diets cause demonstrable changes in metabolism and subsequent weight loss.

8 Jun 2007

Study of exertion-related shortness of breath in obese men

Obese men who find themselves short of breath even after moderate physical activity are invited to participate in a study by UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine.

8 Jun 2007

Low levels of testosterone may increase the long-term risk of death in men over 50 years old

"The new study is only the second report linking deficiency of this sex hormone with increased death from all causes, over time, and the first to do so in relatively healthy men who are living in the community," said Gail Laughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor and study author.

8 Jun 2007

Largest ever genetics study of common diseases

The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, the largest ever study of the genetics behind common diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and coronary heart disease, publishes its results in the journals Nature and Nature Genetics.

8 Jun 2007

Obese women can lose weight and it won't hurt the baby

Most women who are obese can safely exercise and diet to lose weight during pregnancy, according to a small pilot study conducted by Saint Louis University researchers.

8 Jun 2007

In mice, drug protects against diabetes and atherosclerosis

Blocking a single protein with an experimental drug prevented and treated both type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis in laboratory mice that had been fed unhealthy diets and were genetically predisposed to these common killers, according to an article published online in Nature.

8 Jun 2007

New practical weight loss solution for the obese

Millions of people the world over suffer today from obesity, yet there is no magic bullet that has yet provided a universally accepted solution.

8 Jun 2007

Pramlintide treatment curbs fast food consumption and tendency to binge eat

The synthetic form of a hormone previously found to produce a feeling of fullness when eating and reduce body weight, also may help curb binge eating and the desire to eat high-fat foods and sweets.

8 Jun 2007

Mouse hibernation hormones described

A key hormone enables starving mice to alter their metabolism and “hibernate” to conserve energy, revealing a novel molecular target for drugs to treat human obesity and metabolic disorders, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.

8 Jun 2007

Heart disease deaths fall, as obesity and diabetes increase

Epidemiologists at the University of Liverpool and the Heart of Mersey have found that approximately half the recent fall in coronary heart disease deaths in the US is due to positive life style changes and a further half to medical therapies.

8 Jun 2007

Diet influenced by genetics

The relative amount of protein, carbohydrate, and fat that people choose to eat may be influenced by genetics, according to new research.

8 Jun 2007

Low testosterone means men may die young

A new study suggests that men with low levels of testosterone are more likely to die young; they apparently have a 33% increased risk of death over an 18-year period than those with higher levels.

6 Jun 2007

How and why weight-reducing surgery sometimes cures diabetes

95% of morbidly obese people – those with a Body Mass Index of over 40 – have Type 2 diabetes, sometimes known as maturity-onset diabetes.

5 Jun 2007

Obese patients are at higher risk for pancreatic surgery perioperative complications

Obesity may contribute to a greater likelihood of post-operative complications for patients having pancreatic surgery, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has found.

5 Jun 2007

Babies are born to be breastfed!

That is the message that for three months, people living in Herkimer County in upstate New York saw on billboards, posters and public service announcements during breaks in such shows as "Deal or No Deal," the "Today" show, the "Dr. Phil Show" and on Comedy Channel, Court TV, Nickelodeon and Soap TV.

5 Jun 2007

EU wades into the obesity debate

The European Commission is threatening to use a heavy hand against the food and drink industry if does not make an attempt to help in the obesity crisis.

3 Jun 2007

FDA approves Norditropin for short stature in children with Noonan syndrome

Novo Nordisk has announced that Norditropin (somatropin[rDNA origin] injection) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of short stature in children with Noonan syndrome.

3 Jun 2007

Fat protein cuts blood vessel inflammation, may help heart

A natural substance secreted by fat cells can protect blood vessels from the damaging effects of inflammation, one of the factors that contribute to heart disease.

3 Jun 2007

Researchers to discuss gene that may be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome

Researchers in endocrinology and obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will make several presentations at the upcoming annual meetings of two medical organizations , the Androgen Excess Society (June 1, 2007) and the Endocrine Society (June 2-5, 2007).

3 Jun 2007

Obese patients are at higher risk for pancreatic surgery complications

Obesity may contribute to a greater likelihood of post-operative complications for patients having pancreatic surgery, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has found.

1 Jun 2007