RxPG News : Obesity

Personal counseling helps in maintaining weight loss

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:16:58 PST

People who shed weight and want to keep it off might benefit from monthly personal contact interventions, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

Type 2 muscle important in body metabolism and obesity

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:07:33 PST

When it comes to losing weight, pumping iron may be just as important as running on the treadmill, suggests a new study in the February issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press.

A Predisposition to Obesity

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:11:27 PST

A predisposition for obesity might be wired into the brain from the start, suggests a new study of rats in the February issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press.

Obesity in mothers responsible for obese offspring

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:59:06 PST

Research studies have found that pregnant women who are overweight/obese are more likely to give birth to heavier babies, and the risk of overweight children becoming obese adults is nearly nine times greater than for children who are not overweight.

Obesity increases risk of injury on the job

Tue, 15 May 2007 18:58:11 PST

Having a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range increases the risk of traumatic workplace injury, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healthâs Center for Injury Research and Policy. Employer-sponsored weight loss and maintenance programs should be considered as part of a well-rounded workplace safety plan. The study was Advance Access published on May 7, 2007, by the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Major genetic study identifies gene for obesity

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 03:35:51 PST

Scientists have identified the most clear genetic link yet to obesity in the general population as part of a major study of diseases funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity. People with two copies of a particular gene variant have a 70 per cent higher risk of being obese than those with no copies.

Incidence of Fatty Liver Disease rises as obesity in children increases

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:11:55 PST

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers are taking a closer look at a disease whose incidence is rising as obesity in children increases. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, more popularly known as Fatty Liver Disease, occurs in approximately 15% of obese children. Fatty Liver Disease, in which fat accumulates in the liver, while not life threatening in children, can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, sometimes requiring transplantation by adulthood.

Acquired obesity primarily relates to increases in lysophosphatidylcholines

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:15:34 PST

Obesity and its many related health hazards have become a serious and growing problem worldwide. While environmental and lifestyle factors play a key role in the development of obesity, genetic variation may determine an individual's susceptibility to weight gain and to the rise of obesity-related health risks. Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes especially when the extra fat is accumulated to central and intra-abdominal depots and when obesity is accompanied by an atherogenic dyslipidemia.

Obese children risk damaging feet structure

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 23:54:02 PST

London, Nov 24 - Obesity at childhood could damage the feet bones, leading to deformities, says a new study.

Childrens Belly Fat Increases More Than 65 Percent

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:10:00 PST

Abdominal obesity increased more than 65 percent among boys and almost 70 percent among girls between 1988 and 2004. The finding of growing girth is significant because abdominal obesity has emerged as a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk than the more commonly used Body Mass Index, a weight to height ratio that can sometimes be misleading.

Rising abdominal obesity among kids causes concern

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:44:00 PST

Link between short sleep duration and obesity uncovered

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:51:00 PST

Soaring levels of obesity might be linked to children sleeping fewer hours at night than they used to, claims Dr Shahrad Taheri of the University of Bristol. Dr Taheri, reporting in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, blames the increasing availability of computers, mobile phones, TVs and other such gadgets on the diminishing nightly quota of sleep, and suggests they should be banned from children's bedrooms.

'Portion Distortion' may contribute to expanding waistlines

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 15:59:00 PST

New research shows that people's perceptions of normal portion sizes have changed in the past 20 years. A study out of Rutgers published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that Portion Distortion may be the cause1. This phenomenon occurs when consumers perceive large portion sizes as appropriate amounts to eat at a single eating occasion.

Obese men are more likely to be infertile

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:08:00 PST

Men with increased body mass index (BMI) were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men, according to research conducted at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health.

Early-onset morbid obesity linked with low IQ scores

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:39:00 PST

University of Florida researchers have discovered a link between morbid obesity in toddlers and lower IQ scores, cognitive delays and brain lesions similar to those seen in Alzheimer's disease patients, a new study shows.

BMI is an unreliable indicator of obesity

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 17:34:00 PST

Body mass index (BMI) -- the commonly used measure of obesity - cannot reliably predict the outcome for patients with heart disease, concludes an Article in this week's issue of The Lancet. This is because BMI is an unreliable indicator of obesity, say the researchers. Doctors already know that obesity is a risk factor for developing heart disease. However, how obesity affects people with established heart disease has been unclear because previous studies have had contradictory results.

Exercise important in reducing size of abdominal fat cells

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:31:00 PST

Reducing the size of abdominal fat cells which are a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease takes more than cutting calories, according to new research from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Early results from a five-year study show that exercise should be added to the equation.

High BMI doesn't always spell obesity

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:26:00 PST

For years doctors have used the body mass index (BMI), a ratio of height and weight, to characterize the clinical weight status of their patients. The lower the number, the presumption goes, the leaner the person, and anyone with a BMI above 30 is characterized as obese and at high risk for the associated complications.

Health Risks in Obesity are Underestimated

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:04:00 PST

The health risks for women who are extremely obese may be underestimated as a new study indicates they have a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol than women at lower levels of obesity, according to a study in the July 5 issue of JAMA. Obesity diagnosis and treatment are typically based on body mass index (BMI) of at least 30. BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. However, three categories of obesity are defined: obesity 1 (30-34.9); obesity 2 (35-39.9); and extreme obesity (40 and greater). (A 54 person would have a BMI of 40 if they weighed 233 lbs). The latter 2 categories, sometimes termed severe obesity, are reported to be increasing especially rapidly in the United States, according to background information in the article. From 1986 to 2000, prevalence of BMI of 30 or higher approximately doubled, while that of BMI of 40 or higher quadrupled and that of BMI of 50 or higher increased 5-fold. In 2000, 2.8 percent of all U.S. women, and 6 percent of black women reported measurements consistent with extreme obesity. Estimates of obesity-related risks in women have generally been based on weight data that preceded the increase in extreme obesity. It has been unclear whether health risk increases or plateaus as body weight increases throughout the obese range.

Significant link between obesity and depression

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:00:00 PST

There is a strong link between obesity and mood and anxiety disorders, especially among Caucasian Americans and those with more education and higher income, according to an analysis conducted by researchers from Group Health Center for Health Studies.

Strong Heart study (SHS): Bigger, heavier hearts portend heart disease risk even before adulthood

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 09:00:00 PST

The effects of excess weight on heart health can be seen even in adolescents, with abnormal enlargement and impaired pumping function evident in subjects by age 20, according to a new study in the June 6, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Commercial diets are a useful way to lose weight

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:02:00 PST

Commercial diets are a useful way to lose weight. And those based on group support seem to fare better at keeping the weight off in the long term, finds a study in this weeks BMJ.

New study shows some people just cant resist food

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 22:51:00 PST

Scientists have discovered why some peoples brains are particularly vulnerable to food advertising and product packaging, putting them at risk of overeating and becoming overweight. The research provides fresh insight into one of the neurobiological factors underlying obesity by showing how some people are more attracted to the prospect of being rewarded with tasty food than others. The findings from a group of scientists at the Medical Research Councils Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge led by Andy Calder and Andrew Lawrence are published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Development of adiposity in adolescence in Britain

Wed, 10 May 2006 02:47:00 PST

The idea that puppy fat in children disappears as they progress to adolescence is a myth which may put the future health of children at risk, says a paper published on bmj.com.

Obesity may increase diabetes risk

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 17:48:00 PST

People who are obese may be at increasing risk of getting diabetes, says a study that reiterates the belief that a change in lifestyle could help.

Study finds crucial link between obesity, heart disease

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 07:13:00 PST

Fat cells around coronary arteries release chemicals that could trigger inflammation leading to deterioration of the vessels, says a new study that may provide the crucial link between obesity and heart disease.

INSIG2 - Genetic component in obesity identified

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 22:34:00 PST

US scientists have identified a genetic change in a region of the DNA related to fat production, which they say could help in new treatments for obesity.

Selective photothermolysis - US scientists on path towards 'fat seeking' laser

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:14:00 PST

Scientists in the US have developed a laser that can melt pig fat and possibly be used to treat heart disease, cellulite and acne in humans in the future.

Excess Television May Lead To Extra Weight For Preschoolers

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 19:23:00 PST

In a national study of more than one thousand preschool-age children, those who were exposed to more than two hours of television per day were more likely to be overweight at ages 36 and 54 months than those who were exposed to less than two hours of television per day, according to a study in the April issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a theme issue on children and the media.

Prevalence Of Overweight Children, Teens And Men In U.S. Continues To Rise

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 19:01:00 PST

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents and obesity among men increased significantly between 1999 and 2004, according to a study in the April 5 issue of JAMA.

Adolescent Dieting May Predict Obesity and Eating Disorders

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:45:00 PST

Dieting and "unhealthful weight-control behaviors" among adolescents can predict the development of eating disorders in years to come, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.

Lipin is a key fat-regulating enzyme

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 02:35:00 PST

Rutgers researchers have identified a gene and the molecular function of its protein product that provides an important clue to further understanding obesity and may point the way to new drugs to control fat metabolism.

Dairy is not associated with weight gain - Research

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:55:00 PST

Calcium intake was not associated with weight gain in men over a 12-year period, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1. The study included more than 19,000 healthy men aged 40-75 years who were enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The researchers evaluated the relationship between total calcium intake from diet and supplements and changes in body weight based on self reported weight at the beginning and end of the 12-year study period. Study participants followed their normal diets, not calorie-restricted diets.

Bottle-feeding could make infants obese

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:51:00 PST

Bottle-feeding could make your baby obese later in life, finds a University of Bristol study. Researchers said babies feeding on formula milk who were weaned on to solid foods too early were heavier than expected by the age of five, putting them at an increased risk of obesity as they grow older.

Obese drivers face greater risk of crash deaths

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:22:00 PST

Male drivers who are obese are more likely to die in a car crash, suggests a US study.

Adventure Therapy effective in maintaining weight-loss

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 17:33:00 PST

Some overweight teens may have new hope for shedding pounds. A new study suggests that weight-loss programs that encourage peer-support, and focus on building confidence through challenges are effective in helping some adolescents lose weight. This is the finding of a research paper appearing in the January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Obesity by researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center (BHCRC) and The Miriam Hospital.

Obesity increases the risk of cancers

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:11:00 PST

Obesity increases the risk of contracting cancer, states Dr. Javier Salvador, Director of the Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition at the University Hospital of the University of Navarra.

No risk reduction from reducing total dietary fat - Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 11:15:00 PST

Despite findings being announced this week that a low-fat diet introduced in the middle-age years didn't reduce the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke or colon cancer, one of the researchers says people still need to focus on the types of fat they eat. The national diet study of almost 50,000 healthy postmenopausal women was part of the massive Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study.

Babies of obese mothers have higher risk of some birth defects

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 00:30:00 PST

Compared to normal-weight women, overweight and obese women suffer more pregnancy complications and their babies have more medical problems at birth, according to a position paper of the Public Affairs Committee of the Teratology Society.

FDA questions on long term benefits of Orlistat

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 17:13:00 PST

Efficacy concerns surrounding GlaxoSmithKline's orlistat may prove to be a bigger hurdle to overcome than safety or self-selection issues as the firm pursues an Rx-to-OTC switch of the drug.

Fat overload kills mammalian cells

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:46:00 PST

Investigating the harmful health effects of excess fat, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a protein that triggers death in mammalian cells overloaded with saturated fat. The internal "skeleton" (in red) of cells is altered by exposure to high fat. When the researchers halted production of this protein, called EF1A-1, the cells were able to thrive in ordinarily damaging amounts of the saturated fat palmitate, a fat abundant in Western diets. At the same concentration of palmitate, normal cells still producing EF1A-1 rapidly died. The study will be published in the February 2006 issue of Molecular Biology of the Cell.

Teen Weight Control Behaviour May Reflect Mothers' Attitudes On Weight

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 15:14:00 PST

Teenagers are more likely to think about wanting to be thin, and to be frequent dieters, if they accurately perceive that being thin is important to their mothers, according to a study in the December issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Food Incentives In Middle Schools Associated With Overweight Students

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 15:10:00 PST

Schoolwide food practices and policies that allow frequent snacking and consumption of foods and beverages high in calories and low in nutrients throughout the school day, and that permit use of food as incentives and rewards, were associated with higher body mass index in middle school students, according to an article in the December issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Family meals cut teenage fatness

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 13:07:00 PST

They might prefer to be in front of the TV or Playstation, but Brisbane teenagers are likely to be healthier if they eat meals with mum and dad. University of Queensland researchers working on the world's longest health study found teens who ate regularly with their family were less likely to be overweight. Lead researcher, Dr Abdullah Al Mamun from UQ's School of Population Health said regular family meals could reduce snacking and make for healthier food and social habits.

Systematic review of size and growth in infancy and later obesity

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 21:43:00 PST

Large infants, and those who grow rapidly during the first two years of life, are at increased risk of obesity in childhood and adulthood, a study published online by the BMJ today (14 October 2005) has found.

Is School-Based Enchanced Physical Activity Relevant?

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:13:00 PST

Overweight children who took part in lifestyle-focused, fitness-oriented gym classes showed significant improvement in body composition, fitness, and insulin levels, according to a study in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Effective diet with no limits on portion size

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 23:08:00 PST

A low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping women lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity than an omnivorous diet, shows a new study appearing in the September issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Is suburban life making people overweight?

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 23:21:00 PST

In a study recently published in the Journal of Regional Science, researchers from Oregon State University found that the relationship between obesity and urban sprawl may be a two-way street.

Potential health risks from 'Ephedra-free' dietary supplements

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 23:08:00 PST

Two common weight loss supplements promoted as ephedra-free and safe for dieters caused increased heart rate among healthy people, and could have harmful health effects in some people, according to a study by UCSF scientists. Their placebo-controlled clinical study is the first to examine the pharmacological effects of these re-formulated dietary supplements.

Obesity strongly linked to DVT & PE

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 15:08:00 PST

Since 1927, obesity has been thought to be a risk factor for fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). Because of the high proportion of obesity in the general population, previous studies have not determined whether obesity is an independent risk factor for PE or deep venous thrombosis (DVT). In an extensive study published in the September issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers from St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan; Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; and Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan; analyzed over 20 years of patient records compiled by the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) to further investigate the potential risk of obesity in venous thromboembolism. The investigators concluded that obesity is a risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease in men as well as women, particularly those under age 40.

A Genetic Link to Obesity: The Numbers Don't Add Up for GAD2

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 02:09:00 PST

Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death and is often linked to type II diabetes and heart disease. Being a complex trait, obesity is likely caused by the interplay of multiple environmental factors and many genes. Common genetic differences between individuals within a region of Chromosome 10 have previously been associated with obesity. This region contains several genes with the potential to be directly involved in the disease. One of these genes, GAD2, has been the subject of many studies. A new study by Michael Swarbrick, Björn Waldenmaier, Christian Vaisse, and their colleagues takes a new look at GAD2 and provides strong evidence that the gene might not be as relevant to obesity as previously thought.

Graffiti linked to obesity in city dwellers

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 13:57:00 PST

City dwellers living in areas with little greenery and high levels of graffiti and litter are more likely to be obese than those living in pleasant areas with lots of greenery, say researchers in a study published on bmj.com today.

Obesity interventions in children have limited effect

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 15:07:00 PST

Many diet and exercise interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity promote healthy diets and increased physical activity, but do not appear to have radical impacts on reducing overweight and obesity gain.

Positive Clinical Trial Results of Novel Anti-Obesity Compound

Thu, 12 May 2005 18:09:00 PST

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) announced today positive top-line results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of APD356, Arena's orally administered, internally discovered drug candidate for the treatment of obesity.

Oleoyl estrone in Phase Ib Trial

Wed, 04 May 2005 21:51:00 PST

Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Manhattan" OTCBB: MHTT), has concluded its Phase Ia trial and begun patient dosing in the Phase Ib trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of defined doses of orally administered Oleoyl estrone (OE) in obese adults. Like the Phase Ia trial, the Phase Ib trial will be conducted in Basel, Switzerland under Swiss Medic Approval.

New Erchonia Laser Revolutionizes Liposuction

Sun, 24 Apr 2005 08:07:00 PST

The Stern Center for Aesthetic Surgery, PC, a Bellevue based practice focused on staying on the cutting edge of new cosmetic surgery advances announced their use of the new Erchonia laser during liposuction.

Excess Deaths Associated with Underweight, Overweight and Obesity

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:20:00 PST

Using data collected from the most recent NHANES, Katherine Flegal, Ph.D., CDCs National Center for Health Statistics, and her co-authors from CDC and the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, found that both obesity and being underweight are associated with excess deaths when compared with the normal weight population.