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

Titrzepatide reduces risk of death or worsening heart failure for patients with obesity-related heart failure

Weight-loss and diabetes drug tirzepatide can reduce the risk of death or worsening heart failure for patients with heart failure, preserved heart pump function and obesity, new research from UVA Health reveals.

21 Nov 2024

Rethinking dairy: Whole milk tied to healthier weight profiles

Whole milk intake is associated with lower body weight, BMI, and obesity risk in U.S. adults. This study challenges traditional low-fat dairy guidelines and highlights whole milk's potential role in healthy weight management.

20 Nov 2024

Online group programs aid weight loss but face hurdles

Online, group-based interventions show promise for weight loss in adults with severe obesity, though barriers like digital literacy and engagement need addressing.

20 Nov 2024

Study reveals slower fat gain in babies exposed to gestational diabetes

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Medical School reveals surprising findings about how babies exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) grow during their first year of life.

20 Nov 2024

Timing of meals impacts glucose tolerance and health

Although people have always said that having a light and early dinner is better, a study by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and Columbia University has provided the scientific grounds for this argument.

20 Nov 2024

Kimchi found to significantly reduce body fat and combat obesity

Approximately 16% of the global population, or about 890 million people, suffer from obesity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized obesity as a significant health issue and highlighted its impact on the quality of life and overall health of individuals across the world.

20 Nov 2024

Cardiorespiratory fitness trumps BMI in predicting risk of death and heart disease

As rates of obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI), continue to climb in the United States, so have efforts to lose weight, including a new era of weight-loss drugs.

20 Nov 2024

Can probiotics improve insulin resistance in women with PCOS?

The review highlights the role of probiotics and synbiotics in enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance in PCOS, suggesting new avenues for treatment.

20 Nov 2024

Diabetes drugs cut asthma attacks by up to 70%, reshaping treatment options

Metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly reduce asthma attacks in patients with type 2 diabetes, offering potential new treatments for asthma.

19 Nov 2024

New research links sphingolipids to heart disease and atherosclerosis

Excess cholesterol is known to form artery-clogging plaques that can lead to stroke, arterial disease, heart attack, and more, making it the focus of many heart health campaigns.

19 Nov 2024

New nasal spray form of bumetanide shows promise for heart failure treatment

A new nasal spray form of the medication bumetanide may reduce the tissue swelling caused by heart failure as effectively as the standard oral and intravenous formulations of the medication, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

19 Nov 2024

Anti-obesity drugs show promise in improving cardiovascular health beyond weight loss

Popular anti-obesity drugs continue to show cardiovascular benefits beyond weight loss, according to several new papers published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, that are being simultaneously presented at the American Heart Association's 2024 Scientific Sessions.

19 Nov 2024

Stress, diet, and vascular health: Can cocoa flavonols help?

Incorporating flavonol-rich foods may counteract stress-induced vascular impairments, offering a dietary strategy for improved cardiovascular health.

19 Nov 2024

Impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on alcohol consumption

The impact of GLP-1 RAs on alcohol use is explored, showing potential benefits in reducing intake and cravings, but with mixed results from clinical trials.

19 Nov 2024

By 2050, two-thirds of adults and one-third of adolescents could face obesity in the US

Rising obesity rates in the USA, particularly among adolescents, pose significant health risks, demanding immediate action and tailored prevention strategies.

19 Nov 2024

Memories of obesity can linger in fat cells long after weight loss

Epigenetic changes from obesity persist after weight loss, altering fat cell function and increasing the risk of weight regain, impacting metabolic health.

19 Nov 2024

Green tea kombucha could transform your gut and boost your weight-loss journey

Green tea kombucha improves gastrointestinal symptoms and alters the serum metabolome in individuals with excess body weight on an energy-restricted diet, showing potential metabolic health benefits.

18 Nov 2024

Ultra-processed foods drive obesity and metabolic risks

Italian researchers reveal a strong link between ultra-processed foods and obesity, highlighting increased cardiometabolic risks in adults with higher UPF consumption. The findings call for urgent dietary changes to combat obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.

18 Nov 2024

How vitamin B3 could be the secret to living longer and protecting your heart

Dietary niacin intake reduces risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults, with benefits more pronounced in non-diabetic individuals and linked to NAD metabolism improvements.

18 Nov 2024

GLP-1 drugs, like semaglutide, lower risk of hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder

Findings suggest semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists may significantly reduce alcohol use disorder hospitalizations, warranting further clinical investigation.

18 Nov 2024