Up-to-date medical news, research results, and treatment options, intended for the general public and their health care professionals, brought to you by the Web-based Health Education Foundation (WHEF). All information provided is balanced, fact-based and totally uninfluenced by our sponsors.
July 6, 2008 go to public site
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Obesity Center

 

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  OBESITY - NEWS CENTER


Is Obesity Really an Epidemic?
May 23, 2008
According to a study in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine - yes, obesity is an epidemic among almost all age, racial, and ethnic groups in the United States

Pot Belly Puts Brain at Risk
April 7, 2008
In addition to increasing the risk for heart disease and diabetes, having too much fat around the waist may also be detrimental to the health of your brain.

Obesity May Affect Cancer Screening
April 1, 2008
You've already heard that obesity is on the rise in the United States. There is also mounting evidence that obesity increases the risk of some types of cancers, such as colorectal cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer.

Just 10 Minutes a Day Can Make a Difference
March 21, 2008
Think you're too busy to exercise? Last week, researchers at the American Heart Association's Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism reported that exercising as little as 10 to 30 minutes a day could improve health and quality of life in post-menopausal women who are sedentary and overweight.

Keeping the Weight Off
March 19, 2008
Always in search of the miracle diet or the newest super-nutrient? Unfortunately, the skinny on obesity in the United States is that we don't seem to be getting any thinner.

The Color Purple
March 6, 2008
Past research has shown that the colorful purple and red pigments found in the skins of grapes, strawberries, and other fruits and vegetables may help to prevent obesity. However, there is new evidence that whole berries may not be as effective in lowering body fat as berry extracts.

Good News for GERD Sufferers
January 16, 2008
Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD, or heartburn ) is a common condition that's been associated with cancer (of the esophagus, and possibly the larynx), asthma, recurrent aspiration leading to pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis. With these serious complications one might think that GERD sufferers would have a shortened lifespan. But this is not the case, according to a report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Unfortunately, Eating is Automatic
January 15, 2008
In spite of the gourmet magazines, fad restaurants, and fancy cook books, it must be admitted that eating is, in fact, largely an automatic process. Trying to understand the process that's led to the obesity epidemic in the USA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) commissioned a report that's been published online.

Another Use for Baclofen - Binge Eating?
January 10, 2008
Only a week or so ago wrote about the use of baclofen (Lioresal®), a muscle relaxant, for treating addiction to alcohol. Now there's a report of a new use for baclofen - treating binge eating.

Saturday Quack - Akavar for Weight Loss
January 5, 2008
You've seen the ads - or you soon will. Akavar is the new diet pill that makes some extravagant claims: "Eat all you want and still lose weight." "Exercise is not necessary to achieve weight loss." "Fast-acting caloric restricting compound."

Good News on the Obesity Front
January 3, 2008
The obesity level in the US has remained at about the same level for several years. This news comes from a report from the Center for Disease Control report in the NCHS Data Brief. The data actually come form the national health and Nutritional Examination Survey, or NHANES, using a body mass index (BMI) over 30 as determining obesity. The database comprises about 4,300 adults for each 2-year period, so it can be considered as fairly representative.

Fitness, Not Fatness, Predicts Seniors' Mortality
December 11, 2007
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports the fat-but-fit people over 60 have greater longevity than thin-but-unfit individuals. Researchers studied a collective of over 2,000 men and women over 60. The subjects' fitness was assessed at baseline exams using a maximal exercise test, and 'fatness' was determined from their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and percent body fat. Low fitness was defined as having a maximum treadmill test result falling in the lowest 20% of their sex.

Sales Results Show That Weight-loss Drug Alli is Popular
November 8, 2007
Some of us wondered how Alli® would be received by the public when it became available as an over-the-counter product last June. Remember, Alli is a weaker form of Xenical®, which has been available on prescription for about 7 years. Xenical (the generic name is orlistat) works by blocking some of the fat consumed from being absorbed into the body. Apart from helping with weight reduction, this effect produces some unpleasant side effects: oily or fatty stools, an oily discharge, increased number of bowel movements, loss of control of bowel movements, and so on.

Overeaters Anonymous
October 21, 2007
Are you a compulsive overeater?

Obesity in the Over 70s
September 28, 2007
There's a little bit of good news for those of us gaining weight as we age. Obesity in people over 70 doesn't seem to be an important risk factor for mental decline. Cognitive function tests were used to chart mental deterioration in more than 3,800 people in a Rush University study reported in the journal Neurology.

Your ZIP Code Predicts Obesity Risk!
September 24, 2007
I recently reported on the fact that your best friend can determine if you'll be obese or not. Now there's a new, or rather two new indicators: your ZIP code and the cost of your house. An article in the journal Social Science & Medicine examined the frequency of obesity in King County , Washington State, and comparing different areas (using ZIP codes) and property values.

A Surprising Outcome for Obese Patients
August 14, 2007
Swiss cardiologists, reporting in the European Heart Journal, describe the 3-year outcome in patients after their procedures to treat unstable angina or one type of heart attack (non-ST elevation on EKG). They all had coronary angiography, followed where possible by either stent placement or coronary artery bypass.

Is Obesity Contagious?
August 8, 2007
Contagious, of course, is the wrong word; it means transmitted by touch, and here we are considering only social and family proximity. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine describes 32-year data from the Framingham Heart Study that contained information on relatives and close friends of participants that could be used to track the member.

Time for a Fat Tax?
July 21, 2007
In 1994 Kelly Brownell of Yale proposed a "Twinkie Tax" - the idea being that a substantial tax on unhealthy foods would reduce their consumption and improve the diet of the population, turning back the tide of obesity.

Saturday Quip -A Balanced Diet
July 14, 2007
This e-mail was in my mailbox and I thought it deserved a wider audience -Bob G.

Eat Until You're Full and Still Lose Weight - it's True!
July 13, 2007
Scientists at the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State have invested time and energy in studying the benefits of reducing dietary energy density. This is known as the Volumetrics Eating Plan, and it's a very logical approach to weight control. Eating food low in energy density (i.e. comparatively low calories per gram) decreases calorie intake, so that you should lose weight, provided you keep up the same energy expenditure (physical activity). The way to achieve this is toad water-rich foods, like fruit and vegetables, and limit fat intake.

Cut Your Glycemic Load
July 12, 2007
The glycemic load is a term used to express the glycemic index of a food times its calorie content. It's valuable in helping to explain both the qualitative and the quantitative value of a food. And it has relevance in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study from the Netherlands , reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, sheds some light.

Add a Little Fish Oil
June 5, 2007
If you're overweight and exercising and the pounds won't drop off, why not add a fish oil supplement? It might work wonders on your cardiovascular risk factors, according to a new report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Australian researchers found that combining regular aerobic exercise with consuming omega-3 fatty acids (from fish or fish oil supplements) may be more effective than either measure alone in reducing body fat and improving cardiovascular health.

Milk for Weight Loss?
May 24, 2007
The dairy industry has worked hard to tell us that milk is good for us, and hinted - or more than hinted - that milk and dairy products can help you lose weight. In fact, they were sued a couple of years ago for making false claims about this. Now a new study has examined whether calcium and vitamin D supplements have a weight-reduction effect. It's a large prospective study (over 35,000 postmenopausal women) reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Weight Maintenance Is Key to Cardio Risk Factors
May 3, 2007
Maintaining your weight at a steady level is important in keeping your cardiovascular risk factors under control, even if you start off overweight. Chapel Hill researchers analyzed changes in the risk factors in 3,200 men and women who maintained their weight over a 9 year period. At baseline, 35% of them were normal weight, 41% were overweight, and 23% were obese. Their findings have been published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The dangers of abdominal fat are confirmed
March 22, 2007
New research links abdominal fat with inflammation, which is known to increase the risk of heart disease.

Soft drink consumption will pile on the pounds
March 9, 2007
New research reveals a clear connection between consuming soda, soft drinks and obesity.

A low carb diet leads to effective weight loss
March 8, 2007
A comparison of four popular diets shows that low carb seems to give the best results.

Large waist-to-hip ratio risks breathing complications in weight loss surgery
February 19, 2007
Obese patients with a larger waist-to-hip ratio are more at risk of breathing difficulties, according to a new study.

Proximity to facilities affects New Yorkers' body mass index
February 16, 2007
Factors in the built environment affect residents' body mass index according to a study from New York.

Obesity is linked to a rise in esophageal cancer
February 2, 2007
Obesity has meant higher levels of esophageal cancer, but at least surgery to treat the condition is safe.

A simple equation governs weight control and body composition
January 29, 2007
Diet alone or diet and exercise can be equally effective in reducing body weight, so long as they produce the same calorie deficit.

Many are missing out on health screening
January 19, 2007
Too few Americans are getting the screening they need to protect their health, according to a new report.

Urgent measures needed to combat obesity problem in Britain
December 21, 2006
Obesity will bankrupt the UK health service if action is not taken soon.

Many are unaware that obesity raises cancer risk
December 8, 2006
Cancer Research UK warns the nation that thousands of new cancer cases will result from increasing rates of obesity.

Weight loss surgery can be too risky for the elderly
December 8, 2006
Weight loss surgery may not be appropriate for older people as it is associated with a higher rate of complications.

Obesity is taking its toll of the health of younger people
December 7, 2006
Younger people are now presenting with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, because of the growing problem of obesity.

Obesity is a risk factor for living kidney donors
November 24, 2006
Living kidney donors who are overweight or obese may suffer damage to the remaining kidney.

Health advantages of diet, exercise are compared
November 22, 2006
Exercise offers extra benefits for health compared to calorie restriction.

Link between threatening neighborhood and obesity is revealed
November 9, 2006
Neighborhood fear factors could contribute to obesity in certain areas.

Scientists uncover link between cognitive function and obesity
October 19, 2006
People with a higher body mass index seem to do worse on tests of cognitive function.

More effective bariatric surgery for super obesity
October 12, 2006
The duodenal switch is a better form of gastric surgery for super obesity.

You can beat obesity through controlling serving size
September 12, 2006
Some simple tips can help you keep track of your serving sizes.

Today's new borns have a higher risk of obesity than ever before
August 22, 2006
A long-term study shows that babies are getting more overweight.

Fitness level affects the outcome of weight loss surgery
August 10, 2006
Patients with morbid obesity who have a low level of fitness have a poorer outcome after weight loss surgery.

The latest stats show obesity rates soaring, as the health of America suffers
July 27, 2006
Obesity rates continue to rise in the United States, making the goal of a healthy weight more urgent than ever.

Overweight teens can use lifting weights to improve their health
July 27, 2006
Lifting weights can help overweight teens cut their risk of diabetes, says a new study.

Overeating can be curbed by reducing bowl and plate sizes
July 26, 2006
Bigger scoops and bigger bowls led a group of nutrition experts to increase their serving size at an experimental ice cream party.

Surgery for obesity can lead to complications before and after discharge
July 25, 2006
Complications from weight loss surgery during the first six months are far from uncommon.

Weight gain increases cancer risk in women after menopause
July 21, 2006
Women who gain weight as they age, especially if they do not take hormone replacement, can have a 45 per cent increased risk of breast cancer.

Body composition rather than BMI is the best indicator of obesity
July 17, 2006
Cornell University researchers would prefer we focus on percentage fat rather than body weight when it comes to assessing obesity risk.

Higher obesity levels mean more health problems
July 12, 2006
A study suggests that the health problems of very obese women may have been underestimated.

Obese people may need special plastic surgery
July 4, 2006
After weight loss surgery, people may need to have their loose flesh lifted with a special operation.

Obesity may worsen prostate outcome
June 29, 2006
Men who were obese had an increase in PSA levels which may signal recurrence in prostate cancer.

Where you shop can influence obesity risk
June 6, 2006
According to a new study, who you know and where you shop can have a big influence on your weight.

Calorie restriction may prolong life
April 5, 2006
New tests show that reducing calories decreases insulin levels and body temperature, both markers of longevity.

Diet drug could go over the counter
April 3, 2006
The drug orlistat may soon become more widely available offering a new tool in the fight against obesity.

Study will discover secret of lasting weight loss
March 15, 2006
The obesity charity Weight Concern is running an investigation into what makes a successful diet.

Genetic factors important in anorexia
March 14, 2006
A study in twins reveals that early-life neuroticism and genetics are both important risk factors.

Reducing sugary drink intake leads to weight loss
March 13, 2006
Teenagers enroled in a project to replace sugary beverages with noncaloric drinks lost weight.

Obesity a risk factor in road accidents
March 2, 2006
Men who are obese, or very slim, are more likely to die if they are involved in a road accident.

Simple advice on weight loss
February 21, 2006
Recent work on animals suggest that weight control is simple, although challenging

Obesity problem is not exaggerated
February 3, 2006
There is some controversy over whether there really is an obesity epidemic

Larger waistline linked to heart disease among women
January 23, 2006
A new study suggests that woman with a waistline larger than 35 inches are more at risk of heart disease than thinner women.

Obese people ignore health risks
January 13, 2006
More than a quarter of those who are obese or overweight do not actually want to lose the excess pounds, according to a new study.

The dangers of obesity in middle age
January 13, 2006
A study reveals that those who are overweight in middle age are more likely to develop heart disease even in the absence of other risk factors.

Vitamin B1 deficiency can occur after obesity surgery
December 29, 2005
A case study warns of the danger of serious vitamin B1 deficiency as a complication of gastric bypass surgery.

Genetic link between asthma and obesity
December 23, 2005
There is a genetic association between asthma and obesity, according to a new twin-based study.

Small amounts of alcohol linked with reduced obesity
December 6, 2005
A study shows that those who drink small amounts of alcohol regularly are less likely to be obese than those who do not drink at all.

New way of measuring obesity
November 8, 2005
Waist-to-hip ratio is a better way of measuring obesity than body mass index, according to a new study.

Patients more likely to be hospitalized after gastric bypass
October 26, 2005
A study shows that people who have had a gastric bypass have double the rate of hospitalization after their surgery than in the year before.

Increase in weight loss surgery
October 24, 2005
A study suggests there has been about a five fold increase in weight loss surgeries in the last few years.

New complication of gastric bypass surgery
October 19, 2005
A study reveals that low blood sugar can be a rare, but very significant, complication of gastric bypass surgery.

Obesity increases risk of dementia
October 14, 2005
Individuals who were obese in middle age are more likely to develop dementia later on, according to a study.

Healthy weight, healthy shape cuts heart risk
October 10, 2005
The message bears repeating - a healthy weight and a healthy shape will reduce the risk of heart disease and its recurrence.

Obesity surgery safe for heart patients
October 4, 2005
Given a proper evaluation, obese patients with heart disease can safely go through with weight loss surgery.

People don't know the risks of abdominal fat
October 3, 2005
Only a minority of people realize that their waist circumference has a bearing on their risk of heart problems.

The cost of obesity
September 23, 2005
Obesity costs employees up to 2,500 dollars a year in absenteeism and medical costs, according to a survey.

Back to basics for overweight
September 13, 2005
Calorie counting - and calorie restriction - should be the mainstay of your approach towards weight control, say experts at the Mayo Clinic.

Environmental link to obesity
August 25, 2005
City dwellers living in areas with little greenery are more likely to be obese than those living in a more pleasant environment.

Robot performs gastric bypass surgery
August 17, 2005
A system that uses three robotic arms and a camera has been used to perform gastric bypass surgery successfully.

False memory could aid dieting
August 5, 2005
Psychologists have shown they can induce an aversion to fattening foods via the creation of false memory.

Fructose sweeteners may lead to weight gain
August 2, 2005
New research suggests that consuming beverages sweetened with fructose can be a big contributor to increase of body fat.

Carbohydrate intolerance among obese men
July 13, 2005
A study suggests that obese men can't process carbohydrates efficiently which could have an impact on fitness levels.

Weight loss surgery reduces heart risk
July 5, 2005
A study shows that gastric bypass surgery has a dramatic impact on heart disease risk for the morbidly obese.

Smoking and obesity make you old
June 17, 2005
Experiments show that smoking and obesity age the cells of the body.

Everyone in USA could be obese by mid-21st century
June 10, 2005
Experts say that if current trends continue, every child in the US will be obese by 2044 and every adult by 2058.

Better health without dieting
June 1, 2005
Behavior change and self acceptance work better to improve the health of obese women than dieting, according to a study.

Underweight and overweight both linked with increased mortality
April 26, 2005
Compared to those who are normal weight, people who are obese or underweight have an increased death rate.

Experience counts with weight loss surgery
April 26, 2005
The rate of complications in gastric bypass surgery goes down if the operation is done at a center with some experience of the procedure.

New drug reduces weight and heart risk in obese people
April 18, 2005
A medication called rimonabant has been shown to reduce weight, waist measurement and heart risk.

Monitor patients during obesity surgery
April 7, 2005
A small study suggests patients' safety could be protected if they were monitored during surgery for obesity.

Helping men cut portion sizes
March 21, 2005
A study shows that overweight men can easily adjust to smaller portions if they are pre-prepared.

Low carb diets reduce appetite
March 18, 2005
A clinical study shows people lose weight on a low carb diet because it drastically reduces their calorie intake.

Life expectancy in US could be about to decline
March 18, 2005
According to a new study, the rise in obesity in the United States might lead to an decrease in life expectancy.

Inertia, not ignorance, fuels heart risk
February 17, 2005
A survey in Britain shows that people are well aware of the risks of obesity, but may not be prepared to do anything about it.

Center or home - weight loss is still possible
February 10, 2005
Women following a diet and exercise program at home did as well as those who followed a similar regime under supervised conditions.

Genes play a role in obesity
January 28, 2005
Around half of adult onset weight change is genetic, according to new research.

Drug helps reduce weight and cholesterol
January 14, 2005
A study shows how orlistat can help people reduce their weight and lower cholesterol.

Moderate weight loss has health benefits
January 13, 2005
When it comes to losing weight, a little can go a long way.

Sleep link to obesity uncovered
January 12, 2005
A new study shows that overweight and obese patients get less sleep than those of normal weight.

Fast food linked to weight gain
January 6, 2005
According to a new study, those visiting fast food outlets twice a week or more gained more weight and had more insulin resistance than those who did not.

It doesn't matter what diet you choose - just stick with it!
January 6, 2005
A study comparing four popular diet plans finds that there's no difference between them when it comes to weight loss.

Role of obesity gene clarified
November 4, 2003
Researchers report on how a gene could influence some people to overeat and become obese.

A hormone that could tackle obesity
September 9, 2003
Researchers have learned that obese people have lower than average levels of a hunger-regulating hormone.

Obese individuals risk altitude sickness
September 2, 2003
A new study shows that obese individuals should take extra care when traveling to a high altitude destination.

A hundred calories less a day may stop weight gain
February 7, 2003
If you eat just a hundred calories less a day, you should at least keep a steady weight according to a new analysis.

Obesity arises from the interaction between genes and environment
February 7, 2003
People should not be blamed for obesity, for some people's genetic make-up drives them to gain weight readily in an environment where food is freely available.

Being lean may be the key to a long life
February 3, 2003
Researchers have been studying genetically-modified mice which can eat what they like, stay slim and live longer.

Obesity may reduce life expectancy
January 9, 2003
Being obese can reduce lifespan by several years, especially in the younger age groups.

Morbid obesity increases mortality
November 6, 2002
People in intensive care who are morbidly obese are less likely to survive their illness.

Obesity still on increase in United States
October 9, 2002
A continuing study shows that obesity now affects about 30 per cent of the US population.

Link between excess weight and heart failure
August 1, 2002
Excess body weight is a powerful risk factor for developing heart failure, according to the latest from the Framingham Heart Study.

Relief from morbid obesity
July 3, 2002
Surgery for morbid obesity gives dramatic improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as reducing weight.

Fat cell gene discovered
January 3, 2002
US researchers have discovered a gene that is essential for the development of fat cells.




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