http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/obesity/ Obesity research and facts. Read the latest medical research on obesity. Evaluate weight loss programs and choose a diet plan based on your health and lifestyle needs. en-us Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:05:01 EST Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/obesity/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208185158.htm A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to a new study. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208185158.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209124352.htm High blood fat levels normally raise the cholesterol values in the blood, which in turn elevates the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Now a new study shows that butter leads to considerably less elevation of blood fats after a meal compared with olive oil and a new type of canola and flaxseed oil. The difference was stronger in men than in women. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209124352.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209095753.htm The association between television viewing and childhood obesity is directly related to children's exposure to commercials that advertise unhealthy foods, according to a new study. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209095753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201113756.htm Peptides that target blood vessels in fat and cause them to go into programmed cell death (termed apoptosis) could become a model for future weight-loss therapies, say researchers. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201113756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205091831.htm An Australian study into the health beliefs and behaviors of obese people has found that the more severely obese a person is, the less likely they feel they can reduce their weight. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100205091831.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209152233.htm New research sheds light on the significant potential negative impact that food product placements in the movies could be having on children. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209152233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208091916.htm A new national study suggests that preschool-aged children are likely to have a lower risk for obesity if they regularly engage in one or more of three specific household routines: eating dinner as a family, getting adequate sleep and limiting their weekday television viewing time. The study showed that 4-year-olds living in homes with all three routines had an almost 40 percent lower prevalence of obesity than did children living in homes that practiced none of these routines. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208091916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201145434.htm Researchers have demonstrated new mechanisms in muscle cells that may explain severe insulin resistance and a reduced response to aerobic exercise in young obese patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings may contribute to the development of more specific treatments for young people with type 2 diabetes. Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201145434.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100207214124.htm Women with gout are at greater risk of a heart attack than men with the disease, indicates research published ahead of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100207214124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144549.htm Sure, some delicacies might taste just like chicken, but they usually feel and look much different. Soy meat alternatives, such as the soy burger, have become more popular recently, with increased sales of eight percent from 2007 to 2008. Now, scientists have created a soy substitute for chicken that is much like the real thing. The new soy chicken also has health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and maintaining healthy bones. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144549.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144429.htm Overeating in mice triggers a molecule once considered to be only involved in detecting and fighting viruses to also destroy normal metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and setting the stage for diabetes. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203131401.htm A small but significant proportion of morbidly obese people are missing a section of their DNA, according to new research. The authors of the study say that missing DNA such as that identified in this research may be having a dramatic effect on some people's weight. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203131401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171529.htm Metformin XR (extended release formulation) -- a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes -- appears to cause a small but significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) in non-diabetic obese adolescents when combined with a lifestyle intervention program, according to a report. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202120804.htm Researchers may have a new way to trick the body into consuming more energy. The target in this case is an enzyme that indirectly controls the activity of what the researchers refer to as the "energy master switch." It boils down to this: When you give mice a chemical that blocks the function of the enzyme known as Fyn kinase, they almost immediately begin burning more fat. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202120804.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201210038.htm It is well known that diet-induced obesity increases dramatically a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One reason underlying this susceptibility is that diet-induced obesity triggers the accumulation of inflammatory immune cells known as macrophages in fat tissue known as white adipose tissue (WAT). Researchers have now determined that engineering macrophages to store increased amounts of triacylglycerol (the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats) is sufficient to protect mice from diet-induced inflammatory macrophage activation, macrophage accumulation in WAT, and insulin resistance, a condition that preempts the onset of type 2 diabetes. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201210038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202141310.htm Ballooning weight, irregular periods and trouble getting pregnant are red flags for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It's a serious metabolic disorder and one of the major causes of hormonally related infertility -- affecting about 5 million women in the US. But the disorder remains largely undiagnosed and unknown. The complex genetic disease has long-term health risks throughout a woman's lifespan, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. New research shows men are also affected. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202141310.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203121544.htm The levels of an inflammatory chemokine were significantly elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer who were extremely obese, according to new research. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203121544.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171651.htm Increasing rates of obese and overweight children in the United States may be contributing to a later onset of puberty in boys, say researchers. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100131213900.htm People who are obese and have type 2 diabetes in their 20s will be at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke in their 40s if they do not change their lifestyle. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100131213900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202101253.htm Fat tissue in women with polycystic ovary syndrome produces an inadequate amount of the hormone that regulates how fats and glucose are processed, promoting increased insulin resistance and inflammation, glucose intolerance and greater risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to a study. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100202101253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171653.htm Groundbreaking results from a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the MEND Program, a multi-component community-based childhood obesity intervention have just been published. The independent study demonstrates the success of weight management program MEND for overweight/obese children and their families. Results coincide with the launch of Michelle Obama's initiative to reduce childhood obesity announced last week. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201171653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125172948.htm Using combined and intensive treatments and restructuring care to treat obesity like other chronic diseases may help primary care clinicians and patients better address the condition, according to several new studies. Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125172948.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125173444.htm People's preferences for current vs. later rewards may be influenced by blood glucose levels: Volunteers who drank a regular soda (and therefore had higher blood glucose levels) were more likely to select receiving more money at a later date while the volunteers who drank a diet soda (containing artificial sweetener) were likelier to opt for receiving smaller sums of money immediately. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125173444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091740.htm Adults aged over 70 years who are classified as overweight are less likely to die over a 10-year period than adults who are in the "normal" weight range, according to a new study. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128122142.htm Many of the health benefits of aerobic exercise are due to the most recent exercise session (rather than weeks, months and even years of exercise training), and the nature of these benefits can be greatly affected by the food we eat afterwards. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128122142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091748.htm Half of the mothers who took part in a study thought that their obese four or five year-old was normal weight, as did 39 percent of the fathers. When it came to overweight children, 75 percent of mothers and 77 percent of fathers thought that their child was normal weight. Researchers also found that the parents of overweight and obese children were significantly heavier than the parents of normal weight children. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100129151758.htm You'd think folks who've had knee replacement surgery -- finally able to walk and exercise without pain -- would lose weight instead of put on pounds, but surprisingly that's not the case. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100129151758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121161236.htm The higher a person's degree of obesity, the higher their risk of stroke -- regardless of sex or race. Stroke is more likely among obese blacks than obese whites. Effects of obesity on stroke incidence are likely related to the increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121161236.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126111951.htm A Canadian research team is developing a pill composed of leptin, the protein that tells our brain to stop eating. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126111951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125094513.htm In a new study, the amount of calories selected by parents for their child's hypothetical meal at McDonald's restaurants were reduced by an average of 102 calories when the menus clearly showed the calories for each item. This is the first study to suggest that labeled menus may lead to significantly reduced calorie intake in fast food restaurant meals purchased for children. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125094513.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126083126.htm By as early as 7 years of age, being obese may raise a child's risk of future heart disease and stroke, even in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, according to a new study. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126083126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125172938.htm In a head-to-head comparison, two popular weight loss methods proved equally effective at helping participants lose significant amounts of weight. But, in a surprising twist, a low-carbohydrate diet proved better at lowering blood pressure than the weight-loss drug orlistat, according to researchers. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125172938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120121558.htm Obesity in pregnant women is associated with pregnancy complications, birth defects, as well as a greater risk of childhood and adult obesity in infants born to obese mothers, new research shows. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100120121558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126153423.htm According to a new study, there is no direct link between parents' own level of physical activity, and how much their child may exercise. In fact, parents' perceptions of their children's athleticism are what have a direct impact on the children's activity. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126153423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121135713.htm Obesity comes with plenty of health risks, but there's one that's perhaps not so well known: an increased risk of developing cancer, and especially certain types of cancer like liver cancer. Now, researchers have confirmed in mice that obesity does indeed act as a "bona fide tumor promoter." They also have good evidence to explain how that happens. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121135713.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122002340.htm High blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, finds a large European study. The risk was cut by as much as 40 percent in people with the highest levels compared with those in the lowest. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122002340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119161805.htm Given the importance of identifying risk factors for such diseases early in life, a new study looked at the relationship between low SES and cortisol in children over a 2-year period. The researchers hypothesized that living in a low SES environment would increase cortisol trajectories over time. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119161805.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118161930.htm A computerized model suggests that most morbidly obese individuals would likely live longer if they had gastric bypass surgery, according to a new report. However, the best decision for individual patients varies based on factors such as age, increasing body mass index and the effectiveness of surgery. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118161930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213138.htm Why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? New research contributes to our understanding of why eating apples is good for you. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119074752.htm The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has published a position statement on the impact of the life style factors obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption on natural and medically assisted reproduction. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119074752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100116104535.htm If you're prone to worrying whether your 'bum looks big in this', particularly after the Christmas period, you can take comfort that there may be health benefits. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100116104535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118161933.htm Following a rule expanding coverage of weight-loss surgery under Medicare, bariatric procedures in the Medicare population were centralized to a smaller number of certified centers, were more likely to be minimally invasive and were associated with improved outcomes, according to a new report. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118161933.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100115112121.htm One way to help address the epidemic of obesity in the United States is improved access to pleasant hiking trails and an ambitious parks and recreation program, a recent study suggests, but programs such as this are increasingly being reduced in many states due to budget shortfalls. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100115112121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113111909.htm The prevalence of high weight among children and teens in the US (i.e., at or above the 95th percentile), ranges from approximately 10 percent to 18 percent, although these rates appear to have remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, except for an increase for 6- to 19-year-old boys who are at the very heaviest weight levels, according to a new study. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113111909.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111171857.htm For adults and children diagnosed with celiac disease, the only treatment is a gluten-free diet, which can be very challenging. Gastroenterologists are conducting a new study to see if mind/body techniques could help patients with celiac disease adhere to the very strict diet. Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111171857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112122437.htm An enzyme that normally helps break down stored fats goes into overdrive in some cancer cells, making them more malignant, according to new findings. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112122437.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112085516.htm Cognitive scientists compared the dieting behavior of women following two radically different diets. The more complicated people found their diet plans, the sooner they were likely to bail. "For people on a more complex diet that involves keeping track of quantities and items eaten, their subjective impression of the difficulty of the diet can lead them to give up on it," said one researcher. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112085516.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100115112048.htm Social status is intimately linked with health-related risk factors. Scientists are determining to what extent smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity are associated with social status. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100115112048.htm