Obesity News and Research

Latest Obesity News and Research

New molecular atlas offers unprecedented insight into human kidney function

The kidney, a critical organ for waste filtration and fluid regulation, is the subject of a groundbreaking molecular mapping project that could reshape our understanding of renal health.

18 Jun 2025

Stanford study identifies gene signature that predicts immune health

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, information began to trickle in about who was at higher risk of a dangerous outcome from infection. Men. Those over 65. Smokers. Those with obesity.

18 Jun 2025

Heart scan study reveals low-fiber diets drive dangerous heart plaques

A Swedish study links low-fiber, high-red meat diets to increased coronary artery plaque risk, highlighting the importance of dietary choices for heart health.

18 Jun 2025

What matters more for diabetes risk: lifestyle or body weight?

A large, multi-ethnic US cohort study found that combining healthy lifestyle factors—non-smoking, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and moderate alcohol consumption into a Lifestyle Risk Factor Index (LSRI) was linked to a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes. However, BMI was a stronger predictor of diabetes risk, and the impact of lifestyle varied across ethnic groups.

18 Jun 2025

What 300 grams of ultra-processed food a day does to your diabetes risk

A dose-response meta-analysis of 12 cohort studies finds that higher intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is linked to a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The association remains even after adjusting for BMI, diet quality, and energy intake, with a steeper risk increase above 300 g/day.

17 Jun 2025

Muscle ultrasound shows promise for early insulin resistance detection

A simple ultrasound of a patient's thigh or shoulder muscle may detect insulin resistance before it progresses to type 2 diabetes or even prediabetes.

17 Jun 2025

FDA-approved drug may help restore breathing in obesity-related sleep disorder

Researchers from the George Washington University have uncovered promising evidence in an animal study that shows setmelanotide, an FDA-approved medication for a rare genetic obesity disorder, may offer a pathway for treating a life-threatening form of sleep-disordered breathing called Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.

17 Jun 2025

Bariatric surgery linked to lower risk of psychiatric disorders than GLP-1 drugs

People who have metabolic and bariatric surgery are significantly less likely to develop psychiatric disorders compared to those who take weekly injections of GLP-1 anti-obesity medications, according to a new study presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting.

17 Jun 2025

Bariatric surgery leads to greater weight loss than GLP-1 drugs after two years

Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass were associated with about five-times more weight loss than weekly injections of GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide or tirzepatide, at the end of two years, according to a new head-to-head real-world study presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting.

17 Jun 2025

Minor complication rates higher among Black patients after bariatric procedures

Black patients are more likely to experience minor complications after metabolic and bariatric surgery than White patients, according to new study presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting.

17 Jun 2025

Higher BMI linked to increased risk of complications after bariatric surgery

The higher a person's body mass index (BMI), the higher their risk for complications after bariatric surgery, especially those with BMI of 50 or more, according to a new study presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting.

17 Jun 2025

Could a diabetes drug be the key to stopping Alzheimer’s?

Investigating tirzepatide's role in Alzheimer's reveals its potential to improve brain function and reduce inflammation, linking diabetes and neurodegeneration.

17 Jun 2025

Fatty liver found in majority of type 2 diabetes patients

Six out of ten people with type 2 diabetes had fatty liver in a new study from Linköping University. Of these, only a small percentage had developed more severe liver disease.

17 Jun 2025

Uncovering unexpected impacts of popular GLP-1 diabetes drugs

GLP-1 drugs show promise in diabetes management, offering heart and kidney benefits, but also highlight the need for vigilance regarding new health risks.

17 Jun 2025

COVID-19 triggers metabolic signatures in kids that mirror adult heart risk

Children with acute COVID-19 and MIS-C show significant disruptions in lipid metabolism, including patterns resembling adult severe COVID-19. These findings highlight potential long-term cardiovascular risks in pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases and underscore the need for follow-up care.

16 Jun 2025

Childhood weight gain leads to taller adults without increasing obesity risk

In children with undernutrition, increasing weight in a child’s first decade of life can lead to significantly taller adults—with no increase in the risk of obesity or high blood pressure later in life, according to a new University of Michigan study.

16 Jun 2025

Scientists discover molecule that switches off brown fat activity

Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are increasingly present in the population. Brown adipose tissue has a protective function against these prevalent diseases, as it burns calories and can produce body heat from fat.

16 Jun 2025

A revolutionary drug for extreme hunger offers clues to obesity’s complexity

Ali Foley Shenk still remembers the panic when her 10-year-old son, Dean, finished a 20-ounce box of raisins in the seconds the cupboard was left unlocked. They rushed to the emergency room, fearing a dangerous bowel impaction.

16 Jun 2025

Cardiovascular deaths surge among less educated Americans

About 525,000 more deaths occurred among US adults in 2023 than would be expected had pre-2010 mortality trends continued. More than 90 percent of these deaths occurred among individuals without a Bachelor's degree and were largely caused by cardiovascular diseases, underscoring how educational attainment can influence individuals' health opportunities and outcomes.

14 Jun 2025