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

Do sugar substitutes really help? New research reveals their impact on metabolism and gut health

Low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) help reduce sugar intake, but their long-term effects on metabolism, gut health, and insulin response remain under investigation. Ongoing research explores their safety, effectiveness, and regulatory landscape.

27 Feb 2025

Artificial sweeteners may reduce metformin’s effectiveness in weight and glucose control

Drinking artificially sweetened beverages may reduce metformin’s effectiveness in young patients with obesity and prediabetes, but a larger study is needed to confirm these findings.

27 Feb 2025

Study unravels the link between colorectal cancer risk and steatotic liver disease

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are well-known risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC).

27 Feb 2025

Preschoolers with better fitness have sharper brains, study finds

A study in Pediatric Research found that preschoolers with higher physical fitness levels perform significantly better in memory, attention, and problem-solving tasks, emphasizing the role of movement in early cognitive development.

26 Feb 2025

Can you trust TikTok for nutrition advice? Study exposes #WhatIEatinaDay

TikTok prioritizes engagement over accuracy, exposing young users to misleading nutrition content. Researchers urge stricter content moderation to curb misinformation.

26 Feb 2025

Hormones may offer new way to treat wrinkles and hair graying

Hormones may be leveraged to treat and prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles and hair graying, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society journal Endocrine Reviews.

26 Feb 2025

Breast cancer cases and deaths set to surge by 2050—are we prepared?

A global study finds that breast cancer cases will rise by 38% and deaths by 68% by 2050, with the highest incidence in Australia and New Zealand and worsening mortality in low-income countries.

25 Feb 2025

FGF21 hormone drives protein-specific appetite and reward in the brain

When faced with multiple food options and ultimately choosing one, the factors of that decision-making process may be more physiological than previously assumed.

25 Feb 2025

New AI tool could improve care planning for patients with learning disabilities

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model has been developed to predict how long a person with a learning disability is likely to stay in hospital, offering valuable insights that could improve care and resource planning.

25 Feb 2025

Early pregnancy nutrition impacts child's motor development at age 5-6

A healthy diet in early pregnancy supports the child's motor development at the age of 5-6 years. Higher maternal body fat mass, on the other hand, has an adverse effect on the child's motor development.

25 Feb 2025

Genetic study demonstrates fat-selective weight loss with GLP-1 agonist use

Diabetes and obesity have become pressing health issues worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a class of medications widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), have shown significant effectiveness in both lowering blood sugar levels and aiding weight loss due to their unique pharmacological mechanisms.

25 Feb 2025

AI-generated food images make some people uneasy—here’s why

Researchers found that AI-generated food images, particularly imperfect ones, evoke an uncanny valley effect, making them appear eerie and less pleasant, especially among people with food neophobia.

24 Feb 2025

Sleep disruption linked to inflammatory immune changes and health risks

New research reveals insight into the impact sleep quality has on a person's immune system, and how it could be linked to the development of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

24 Feb 2025

FDA warns against HCG weight-loss products

Anyone who has ever been on a diet knows there are sensible ways to lose weight, including eating a balanced diet and exercising.

24 Feb 2025

Understanding the health risks of childhood hypertension

High blood pressure (BP) isn't just an adult problem - it's a lifelong condition that can start in childhood, yet it receives little attention in younger populations.

24 Feb 2025

Can red ginseng prevent diabetes? New research uncovers its potential

Red ginseng extract powder significantly improved glycemic control in prediabetic Korean adults over 12 weeks without adverse effects. The findings suggest its potential role in diabetes prevention, though larger studies are needed.

23 Feb 2025

Aging isn’t just in your genes—your environment plays a bigger role, study shows

Study explores the relative contributions of genetics and environmental factors to aging and premature mortality. It highlights how the exposome—lifetime environmental exposures—shapes disease risks, with socioeconomic status, smoking, and lifestyle choices emerging as key aging determinants.

23 Feb 2025

New intervention helps reduce ultra-processed food intake and improve health

Most dietary programs are designed to help people achieve weight loss or adhere to U.S. nutrition guidelines, which currently make no mention of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

22 Feb 2025

Study links excessive screen time to psychological distress in adolescents

Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day engaged in sedentary behaviors – including playing video games, reading for leisure or spending a lot of time distracted by screens – have a higher risk of facing psychological distress in the future, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

21 Feb 2025

Olive oil prevents weight gain while butter and margarine add pounds, study finds

A long-term study of 121,119 participants found that increasing olive oil intake was associated with less weight gain over time, while consuming margarine, butter, and vegetable oils led to greater weight gain.

20 Feb 2025