Obesity

Overweight and obesity are defined by the WHO as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals health.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and while it was once an issue only in high income countries, overweight and obesity has now dramatically risen in low- and middle-income countries.Such countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease, for while they continue to deal with the problems of infectious disease and under-nutrition, they are also experiencing a rapid upsurge in chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban settings.

What is Obesity?

Obesity and overweight have in the last decade become a global problem - according to the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults over the of age 15+ were overweight, at least 400 million adults were obese and at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight.

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity, What Can be Done?

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity Management

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Autism

See more featured articles »

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Working night shifts or binge drinking may be risk factors for COVID-19 infection among nurses

Researchers investigated whether unhealthy alcohol use and shift work with subsequent circadian rhythm disruption could increase COVID-19 susceptibility among nurses.

1 Jun 2023

What was SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Italian blood donors?

Researchers evaluated titers and types of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies in voluntary blood donors.

1 Jun 2023

Impact of healthy diet and exercise, and their interplay, on the risk of non-communicable diseases throughout a lifespan

Researchers discussed the impact of lifestyle and modifiable behaviors such as exercise and diet.

1 Jun 2023

Special issue aims to deepen the conversation around cerebral palsy

Although cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood-onset disability, there are very few evidence-based clinical practice guidelines or recommendations on how to treat and manage this condition.

31 May 2023

Study unlocks insights into how 'good fat' tissue could be harnessed to combat obesity, diabetes

New research has unlocked insights into how "good fat" tissue could potentially be harnessed to combat obesity and remove glucose from the blood, helping to control diabetes.

31 May 2023

First-in-human clinical trial of liver dialysis device successfully completed

The first successful in-patient trial of liver dialysis* has been completed by researchers from UCL, the Royal Free Hospital, UCL spin-out Yaqrit and their collaborators.

31 May 2023

Important discovery could lead to new treatments for obesity and related diseases

Researchers at the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge have made an important discovery in the race to find treatments for obesity and related diseases, such as diabetes.

31 May 2023

Babies experiencing hypoxia due to sleep apnea tend to develop hypertension in adulthood

Newborn babies who experience low levels of oxygen in their body tissues (hypoxia) due to sleep apnea, for example, tend to develop respiratory problems and hypertension (high blood pressure) in adulthood, and these problems may persist for the rest of their lives.

31 May 2023

Most American Indian/Alaska Native women of childbearing age have suboptimal heart health, AHA reports

Heart health risks emerge early in life in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women and are increased by social factors -; like high levels of experiencing violence and traumatic life events -; and disproportionately high rates of Type 2 diabetes, smoking and obesity, according to a new scientific statement published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a peer-reviewed American Heart Association journal.

31 May 2023

The interplay between variations of menstrual cycle length and age, ethnicity, and body weight

Study compares menstrual cycle length with ethnic and body mass characteristics.

31 May 2023

Green Mediterranean diet reshapes DNA methylation, boosts metabolism

Study explores the effects of a green-MED diet enriched in polyphenols and reduced in red/processed meat on the methylome and transcriptome levels. It aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed metabolic improvements.

30 May 2023

Unlocking the potential of melatonin: A promising epigenetic weapon against cancer

Melatonin, a hormone derived from the pineal gland, has diverse effects on cellular processes. This review explores its potential role as an epigenetic regulator, particularly in modulating DNA methylation, and suggests its use in combination therapy as a novel anticancer strategy.

30 May 2023

ENDO 2023 news conferences to highlight latest research in diabetes, obesity, reproductive health

Researchers will delve into the latest research in diabetes, obesity, reproductive health and other aspects of endocrinology during the Endocrine Society's ENDO 2023 news conferences June 15-18.

30 May 2023

Obesity increases the chances of developing mental disorders for all age groups

Being obese significantly increases the chances of also developing mental disorders. This applies to all age groups, with women at higher risk than men for most diseases, as a recent study of the Complexity Science Hub and the Medical University of Vienna shows.

30 May 2023

Unhealthy diet results in shallower deep sleep

In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University have investigated how junk food affects sleep. Healthy participants consumed an unhealthier as well as a healthier diet in a randomized order.

30 May 2023

Using ex vivo gene therapy to fight obesity and diabetes in mice

A scientific team from the University of Barcelona and the CIBERobn has designed a strategy to fight obesity and diabetes in mice through ex vivo gene therapy which consists of implanting cells that have been manipulated and transformed in order to treat a disease.

30 May 2023

Cardiovascular disease is primed to kill more older adults, especially Blacks and Hispanics

Cardiovascular disease — the No. 1 cause of death among people 65 and older — is poised to become more prevalent in the years ahead, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities and exacting an enormous toll on the health and quality of life of older Americans.

30 May 2023

Precision nutrition vs. low-fat diet: No significant difference in diabetes management

Researchers compare changes in hemoglobin A1c and glycemic variability to understand the impacts of two calorie-restricted weight loss diets.

30 May 2023

Obesity strikes below the belt: Study reveals link between obesity and male infertility

The influence of obesity on male fertility is still under debate. In the present investigation, researchers scrutinized semen samples from both obese individuals and those of normal weight. The aim was to explore the relationship between obesity, the length of sperm telomeres, levels of mRNA associated with autophagy, and diverse semen characteristics.

29 May 2023

Energy drinks may stunt muscle repair, new study suggests

Energy drinks impede muscle regeneration and reduce physical performance. This study provided evidence of an inhibitory effect on myogenic differentiation and highlighted potential concerns for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

29 May 2023

Obesity

Overview

Feature Articles

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity Management

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity in Adults

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity and Arthritis

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity Epidemiology

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Periodontitis

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Heart Disease

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity and Skin Problems

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Latest Obesity News and Research

Unlocking the Secrets of Multiple Sclerosis Progression: Brain-Immune Cell Communication

Passing on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Health risks for male offspring of women with PCOS

Top-Down Proteomics: Bridging the Genotype-to-Phenotype Gap

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