http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/diet_and_weight_loss/ Read weight loss articles and the latest information on dieting. Choose a diet plan based on your health and lifestyle needs. Consider the pros and cons of low carbohydrate diets, low fat diets, weight loss surgery. en-us Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:01 EDT Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/diet_and_weight_loss/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065220.htm Research has identified a new gene associated with diabetes, together with a mechanism that makes obese mice less susceptible to diabetes. A genomic fragment that occurs naturally in some mouse strains diminishes the activity of the risk gene Zfp69. The researchers also found that the corresponding human gene (ZNF642) is especially active in overweight individuals with diabetes. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702132827.htm As childhood obesity rates continue to increase, experts agree that more information is needed about the implications of being overweight as a step toward reversing current trends. A new study has found that overweight children, especially girls, show signs of the negative consequences of being overweight as early as kindergarten. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702132827.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701103002.htm The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701103002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703110637.htm A mother's weight and the amount she gains during pregnancy both impact her daughter's risk of obesity decades later, according to a new study. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703110637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701082911.htm Celiac disease, an immune system reaction to gluten in the diet, is over four times more common today than it was 50 years ago, according to new findings. Undiagnosed celiac disease is associated with nearly quadrupled mortality. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701082911.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702080356.htm Researchers are carrying out an assessment of the physical neuropsychological characteristics of children born before 32 weeks' gestation or whose weight is lower than 1500 grams (3 lbs. 5oz.) -- very premature. The results obtained so far reveal that the decisive variable for the existence of a reversible or irreversible brain damage is the baby's weight at birth, rather than the time of gestation. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702080356.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081120.htm Between the 1932 and 2008 Olympic Games, world record times of the men's 100m sprint improved by 0.6 seconds. Scientists have shown that an equivalent improvement can be achieved in mice by feeding them a diet high in a certain type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617154359.htm The most popular type of gastric bypass surgery appears to nearly double the chance that a patient will develop kidney stones, despite earlier assumptions that it would not. The overall risk, however, remains fairly small at about 8 percent. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617154359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090628213149.htm Complications in early pregnancy or in previous pregnancies can predict the likelihood of further problems in current or subsequent pregnancies, according to new research. The findings will help clinicians to predict more easily which women might need greater care and supervision during pregnancy, as well as enabling new research to improve clinical management of such high risk patients. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090628213149.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131338.htm Diets high in protein and cholesterol are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or death due to cirrhosis or liver cancer, while diets high in carbohydrates are associated with a lower risk. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131338.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131336.htm Counseling patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on how to increase physical activity leads to health benefits that are independent of changes in weight. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701114816.htm Health conditions in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients differ from those in patients with the more common primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). For one thing, an increased incidence of silent cerebral infarct (SCI), blockage in small blood vessels in the brain, is seen in brain scans of people with NTG. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701114816.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701082704.htm An otherwise effective treatment for cystic fibrosis places patients at a high risk of sensorineural hearing loss, according to new research. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701082704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630132001.htm Physiological changes associated with the metabolic syndrome may play a role in the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, according to a new study. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630132001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622201612.htm New research shows that a child with leaner body mass, or muscle, builds bigger bones than a child who weighs the same but has a greater percentage of fat. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622201612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623133523.htm Underweight people and those who are extremely obese die earlier than people of normal weight -- but those who are overweight actually live longer than people of normal weight. Those are the findings of a new study. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623133523.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081135.htm Exercise and electro-acupuncture treatments can reduce sympathetic nerve activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, according to a new study. The finding is important because women with PCOS often have elevated sympathetic nerve activity, which plays a role in hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity and cardiovascular disease. The study also found that the electro-acupuncture treatments led to more regular menstrual cycles, reduced testosterone levels and reduced waist circumference. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624152811.htm Experiment after experiment confirms that a diet on the brink of starvation expands lifespan in mice and many other species. But the molecular mechanism that links nutrition and survival is still poorly understood. Now, researchers have identified a pivotal role for two enzymes that work together to determine the health benefits of diet restriction. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624152811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625210425.htm A variation in a gene that is active in the central nervous system is associated with increased risk for obesity, according to a new study. The research adds to evidence that genes influence appetite and that the brain plays a key role in obesity. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625210425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626163115.htm High intake of dietary fats from red meat and dairy products was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study. Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626163115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133215.htm Doctors have known for decades that too much carbohydrate-laden foods like white bread and corn flakes can be detrimental to cardiac health. In a landmark study, new research now shows exactly how these high-carb foods increase the risk for heart problems. Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074408.htm Many parents worry about their child's exposure to phthalates, the chemical compounds used as plasticizers in a wide variety of personal care products, children's toys and medical devices. Phthalate exposure can begin in the womb, and has been associated with negative changes in endocrine function. A new study examines the possibility that in utero phthalate exposure contributes to low birth weight in infants. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074408.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623163656.htm In reviewing the weight history of pancreatic cancer patients across their life spans, researchers have determined that a high body mass index in early adulthood may play a significant role in an individual developing the disease at an earlier age. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623163656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611071355.htm A link exists between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and weight gain, according to new research. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611071355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093353.htm Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life according to new research. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624153104.htm Advances in weight-loss surgery have made it as safe as any routine surgical procedure, according to a researcher who reviewed data from nearly 60,000 patients, and found it resulted in low complication and mortality rates. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624153104.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611112557.htm Knockout of myostatin, a growth factor that limits muscle growth, can decrease body fat and promote resistance against developing atherosclerosis, or "hardening" of the arteries, according to a new study conducted in mice. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611112557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623112002.htm Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most frequent congenital abnormality of the small bowel and it is often difficult to diagnose. It is usually asymptomatic but approximately 4% are symptomatic with complications such as bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623112002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142409.htm In teenagers, laparoscopic gastric banding surgery for treatment of extreme obesity can significantly improve and even reverse the metabolic syndrome, a new study found. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142409.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142407.htm The body mass index and waistline measurement overestimate obesity in blacks, according to a new study. The results suggest that conventional methods for estimating body fat may need to become race-specific. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615161659.htm Severe obesity can pose special challenges, including cardiac risks, in patients undergoing surgery; healthcare providers must carefully evaluate those risks and not underestimate them. The risk of a cardiac event before, during or after surgery in obese patients is related to the type and severity of their heart's condition, as well as other health conditions and the type of surgery they are having. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615161659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622103820.htm Researchers are reporting new evidence that the ordinary vinegar — a staple in oil-and-vinegar salad dressings, pickles, and other foods — may live up to its age-old reputation in folk medicine as a health promoter. They are reporting new evidence that vinegar can help prevent accumulation of body fat and weight gain.  Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622103820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622064709.htm A major study of three to 19 year-olds has provided vital data on the weight problems faced by the growing number of children and young people with type 1 diabetes, which is more prevalent in younger age groups than type 2 diabetes. The findings show that children and youths with type 1 diabetes are more likely to be overweight than those without diabetes. Researchers from six clinical centers took part in the study, which compared data from 3,953 diabetics with data for 7,666 non-diabetic children and youths from a national study. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622064709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619152130.htm Once the baby arrives, many new mothers want to return to their former weight quickly -- just like film stars who appear in the media in bikinis just weeks after giving birth. But according to new research, women should not put themselves under too much pressure straight away. Researchers warn that overdoing early weight loss attempts could have a negative impact on breastfeeding. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619152130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618130709.htm The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers to stop using three products marketed over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell (anosmia). Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618130709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618124944.htm Most healthy 25 year olds don't stay up at night worrying whether they are going to develop diabetes in middle age. But many should be concerned. Researchers have found young adults with low aerobic fitness levels are two to three times more likely to develop diabetes in 20 years than those who are fit. The study also shows that young women and young African-Americans are less fit, placing more of them at risk for diabetes. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618124944.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618101508.htm Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon may protect against progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the benefits appear to depend on the stage of disease and whether certain supplements are taken. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618101508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618173246.htm In research that could lead to new approaches for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, scientists have found that suppressing a liver enzyme that induces glucose production helped diminish the symptoms of the disease in a rat model -- reducing blood glucose concentrations, decreasing rates of glucose production in the liver, and improving insulin sensitivity.  Decreasing expression of the gene, Sirtuin 1, also lowered total cholesterol levels. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618173246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617201800.htm Living in an area with more fast food outlets and convenience stores than supermarkets and grocers has been associated with obesity in a Canadian study. Researchers have shown that your local food environment can affect your weight. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617201800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617104911.htm New research shows significant reproductive health effects in rats that have been exposed to bisphenol-A at levels equivalent to or below the dose that has been thought not to produce any adverse effects. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617104911.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115535.htm Older women suffering from clinical frailty stand to benefit from the first potential medical treatment for the condition, according to a new study. Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, was administered to older women diagnosed with frailty, a common geriatric syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion and low levels of anabolic hormones which increases risk of falls, hospitalizations, disability and death. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122115.htm A new study contradicts the conventional wisdom that living near a fast food outlet increases weight in children and that living near supermarkets, which sell fresh fruit and vegetables as well as so called junk food, lowers weight. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615153116.htm Psychologists have identified a cognitive shortcut they call "Unit Bias," which causes people to ignore vital, obvious information in their decision-making process, points to a fundamental flaw in the modern, evolved mind and may also play a role in the American population's 30 years of weight gain. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615153116.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144211.htm Recent epidemiological studies have revealed an increase in the frequency of genital malformations in male newborns (e.g., un-descended testes) and a decrease in male fertility. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102032.htm Because peak bone mass is not achieved until the third decade of life, it is particularly important for young adults to consume adequate amounts of calcium, protein and vitamin D found in dairy products to support health and prevent osteoporosis later in life. Researchers now report that young people actually reduce their intake of calcium and dairy products as they enter their twenties. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611071357.htm Body Mass Index varies as a function of habitual sleep duration, according to new research. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611071357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091226.htm Angiotensin 1-7, a hormone in the body that has cardiovascular benefits, improves the metabolic syndrome in rats, according to a new study. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091226.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608162539.htm Being overweight increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other health conditions. Excess weight is progressive; thus, everyone above normal weight -- including children -- should avoid weight increases and reduce weight through healthy diet choices and regular physical activity. The statement recommends doing research on overweight and health, beyond studies that focus solely on the relationship between total body mass index and risk of death. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608162539.htm