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Results for search "Obesity".

Health News Results - 328

More U.S. Kids, Teens Are Getting Weight-Loss Surgeries

As obesity rises among U.S. kids and teens, the number of weight-loss surgeries is growing, too.

Metabolic and bariatric surgeries among 10- to 19-year-olds rose by nearly 20% between 2020 and 2021, after climbing since 2016, a new study finds.

The jump is especially notable among those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, who are packing on pounds more readily tha...

Wegovy, Saxenda Help Folks Lose Pounds They Regained After Weight-Loss Surgery

When people regained weight after obesity surgery, it wasn’t entirely clear what to do next. Now, it appears the weight-loss medications Wegovy and Saxenda can help.

Both work by controlling appetite and satiety. Wegovy (semaglutide), however, may be superior to Saxenda (liraglutide), a new study finds.

“Our research found that newer anti-obesity medications are effective for tr...

Many Parents Worry About Social Media's Impact on Kids' Body Image: Poll

About 7 in 10 American parents are concerned that social media trends related to appearance and editing apps and filters are harming their children’s body image, a new survey shows.

Among those polled, about 69% of parents expressed worry about these editing apps and filters, which can completely change the look of someone's face and body. This may make them appear to meet some supposed...

Losing Weight Before Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Boosts Outcomes

Obese people might be wise to slim down before undergoing an ablation procedure to treat an abnormal heart rhythm, researchers report.

Folks with atrial fibrillation who lost 3% or more of their body weight before undergoing ablation had greater odds of their heart returning to a normal rhythm than those who didn't, a new study finds.

A-fib, as atrial fibrillation is called, is...

Wegovy Shows Weight-Loss Effectiveness in Real-World Study

It’s a social media darling and one of the hottest prescription medications on the U.S. market. But does Wegovy really help patients lose weight?

Yes, a new study suggests.

Investigators analyzed data on more than 100 people using Wegovy (semaglutide). They found that after a year participants had shed more than 13% of their body weight on average.

“This medication ...

Fat Growing Around Muscles Could Be a Silent Killer

It's well known that it's unhealthy to have belly fat accumulating around your abdominal organs, but there’s a more insidious form of fat that could be even more hazardous to your health, a new study says.

Fat that infiltrates your muscles appears to dramatically increase your risk of death, according to findings published May 16 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • May 18, 2023
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  • Cold Weather May Help Burn Fat, and Time of Day Matters

    Men, want to burn fat? Chill out.

    New research shows that exposure to cold in the morning may help you burn more fat than at other times of day.

    Exposure to cold activates brown fat, producing heat to help the body maintain its temperature and burn calories, especially ...

    A Swallowable Gastric Balloon Helps People Shed Pounds

    Combining a swallowable gastric balloon with a weight loss drug may be a way to lose significant body weight, a new study suggests.

    In about eight months of combination treatment, participants lost an average of 19% of their body weight, and significantly reduced their body mass index (BMI), researchers report.

    "Combination therapy gives providers much flexibility and further ...

    More Evidence That Obesity Raises Odds for Gastrointestinal Cancers

    Maintaining a healthy weight may be important for reducing the risk of gastrointestinal cancer, a new study suggests.

    The research adds to the evidence that excess weight and weight increases in adulthood increase the risk for colon and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

    “In a time when obesity rates are rising globally and 70% of the U.S. population alone is considered overwe...

    Severe Obesity Could Mean Faster Decline of Immunity From COVID Shot

    Severely obese people may need more frequent COVID-19 booster shots to keep their immunity going, new research suggests.

    Protection from the shots declines more rapidly in those who are severely obese compared to those at a normal weight, according to scientists at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.

    "Because of the high prevalence of obesity across ...

    Overweight Boys May Be Grow Up to Be Less Fertile Men

    Men who were overweight as boys may have infertility issues in adulthood, according to new research.

    Researchers studying the issue of male infertility, often a mystery, looked at health data from 268 young people between 2 and 18 years of age. They had been referred to the University of Catania in Sicily for weight control.

    “Although the prevalence of childhood obesity is increas...

    Obesity Can Raise Odds for Post-Surgical Complications

    Here's one more reason to watch your weight: Obesity can increase your odds for serious complications after surgery.

    Compared with patients of normal weight, those who are obese are at greater risk for developing blood clots, infections and kidney failure after surgery, a new study reports. Pa...

    Maker of Wegovy Limits Supply of Obesity Drug in U.S.

    Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk said Thursday it will limit distribution of its low-dose versions of the wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy, to ensure that people already taking the drug will have enough supply.

    The medication is one of three drugs from a class known as GLP-1 agonists. These medications have been shown in studies to be effective for weight loss but have faced shortages...

    Pills, Exercise, Dieting: What Works Best to Lose Weight?

    Hundreds of thousands of people are jumping on the Ozempic bandwagon and taking prescription medications to slim down, while others swear by intermittent fasting and other diet fads, but new research shows that they're all likely barking up the wrong trees.

    There isn't any shortcut or magic bullet to losing weight, keeping it off, and improving your health, a

  • Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
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  • May 4, 2023
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  • Weight-Loss Surgery Could Cut Odds for Obesity-Linked Cancers in Half

    Getting bariatric surgery may help someone lose weight and reduce their risk for obesity-related cancers by more than half.

    New research to be presented at a conference of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) found that patients who had sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or gastric band procedures developed less obesity-related cancer over a 10-year follow-up period.

    Injected Diabetes Med Can Also Bring Big Weight Loss, Study Finds

    As more Americans try to get their hands on the prescription medication Wegovy while they try to shed significant amounts of weight, an even more powerful obesity drug is poised to enter the fray.

    On Thursday, drug maker Eli Lilly & Co. anno...

    Midday Naps & Health: How Long You Nap May Be Key

    If you're longing for a nap, try to keep it short.

    Researchers found that siestas of 30 minutes or more in Murcia, a region of Spain, where it's common to nap, were linked to a higher risk of obesity, a group of conditions called metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure.

    “Not all siestas are the same. The length of time, position of sleep and other specific factors can affect...

    Oakland's Soda Tax Cut Local Sales by 27%

    Could taxing soda cut down on the consumption of sugary drinks?

    That's exactly what happened when a local “soda tax” was launched in Oakland, Calif., according to researchers from the University of California, San Francisco.

    Purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages dropped nearly 27% between July 2017 and December 2019, after the one-cent-per-ounce tax began.

    “These result...

    Can Smarts Help Shield Folks from Obesity? Maybe Not

    A teenager's brain power appears to have little bearing on whether they will become overweight or obese as adults.

    British researchers found that, on average, sharper teens weighed only slightly less in adulthood than siblings who scored lower on tests of thinking skills, according to a new study published April 13 in the journal PLOS Medicine.

    The difference amounted to ju...

    Genes or Lifestyle? How a Person Becomes Obese Could Influence Heart Health

    It's well known that being overweight or obese can increase health risks.

    But a new study finds that the reasons why a person is obese may have some impact on heart disease risk.

    Specifically, being obese because of lifestyle carried higher risks than it did if the extra weight was due to genetic predisposition, researchers found.

    “The link between obesity and ca...

    Breast Reduction? Body Weight a Factor in Healing Time, Study Finds

    Women who are heavier or older may take longer to heal after surgery to reduce the size of their breasts, new research indicates.

    Body weight and age can affect complication risk after breast reduction, according to a report in the April 2023 edition of

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 3, 2023
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  • COVID Pandemic Got More Americans Worried About Being Obese: Survey

    Lots of folks gained their COVID weight during the housebound months of the pandemic, and now those extra pounds are weighing heavy on many, a new survey shows.

    Nearly a third (29%) of just over 1,700 adults surveyed in December 2021 said COVID-19 made them more worried than ever about being obese, according to findings published recently in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 24, 2023
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  • 'Muted' Immune Response May Explain Why COVID Is Tougher for Obese People

    Obesity is a well-known risk factor for severe COVID-19, and researchers think they've uncovered a possible reason why.

    Obese folks appear to have a blunted inflammatory response to COVID, leaving their immune systems less capable of fighting it, according to a recent study.

    The findings were a surprise to researchers, given that severe COVID often has been tied to an overactive imm...

    When BMI Isn't Used as Measurement, Obesity's Health 'Benefit' Disappears

    Much has been made of the so-called “obesity paradox” -- the observation that people with a heart condition seem less likely to die if they are overweight or obese.

    But European researchers now say they've debunked that theory, which was based on earlier research that relied on body mass index (BMI, a measure based on weight and height) to judge whether a person carried excess weight....

    It's National Nutrition Month: Here's Tips to Eating Right

    Cutting out nutrients such as carbs, fat or protein may be a popular way to shed pounds but doing so can have unintended consequences.

    Instead, aim for a balance of those macronutrients to fuel your life and activities, said Dr. Elizabeth Albright of University of Michigan Health-West in Wyoming, Mich.

    Diabetes Rates Keep Rising Among Young Americans

    Troubling new research finds that rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are continuing to increase in children and young adults.

    Asian or Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic children had higher rates, the study found.

    “Our research suggests a g...

    Young Americans Face Rising Rates of Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes

    Young adults in the United States carry an increasing burden of heart health risk factors, making it more likely they'll suffer a heart attack and stroke as they age, a new study warns.

    More adults ages 20 to 44 are obese and diabetic than a decade ago, and they are more likely to have poorly controlled blood pressure, according to the study published March 5 in the

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 6, 2023
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  • Colon Cancer Is Being Spotted in Younger People, and at Later Stages

    Colon cancer continues to rise among younger U.S. adults, with the American Cancer Society reporting a doubling of cases in people younger than 55 in about 25 years.

    Also, significantly more Americans are being diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease, the cancer society says.

    As of 2019, 20% of colon cancer cases occurred in adults under age 55 -- up from just 11% in 1995, acc...

    Is Obesity Especially Dangerous for Women at Genetic Risk for Breast Cancer?

    Certain gene mutations put women at high risk of breast cancer, and now an early study hints that obesity might make matters worse.

    The findings come from a study of breast tissue samples from women who carried particular mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 — which convey much higher-than-normal risks of both breast and ovarian cancers.

    The researchers found that among women...

    10 Ways You Can Cut Your Risk for Dementia

    Causes of different kinds of dementia vary, but about 40% are affected by risk factors a person can influence through lifestyle choices.

    Two University of Michigan neurologists offer 10 tips for modifying those risks.

    1. Keep blood pressure in check.
    2. Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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    4. February 25, 2023
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    Cutting Down on Social Media Brings Quick Boost to Teens' Self-Image

    All those images of beautiful-looking people on social media can deflate a young person's self-image, but there may be an easy fix: limiting time spent on TikTok, Instagram and the like.

    A new Canadian study finds that teens and young adults who already had symptoms of anxiety or depression and who cut their social media usage by about 50% experienced a significant improvement in how they...

    21 Genes Could Link Midlife Obesity & Alzheimer's Risk

    A new study links obesity with 21 Alzheimer's disease-related genes.

    This may help explain why Alzheimer's is often more frequent among adults who experienced obesity in midlife, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

    To

    6 Ways to Helping Your Child to a Healthy Weight

    Parents are role models who can teach their kids about healthy food and exercise habits in childhood to help avoid future health problems.

    “Children who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes, experience feelings of isolation and struggle with self-esteem,” said Dr. Asma Khan, a pedia...

    Healthier School Meals Program Led to Less Overweight Kids: Study

    More than a decade ago, the Obama administration passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 as a way to counter the toll the obesity epidemic was taking on children's health.

    The goal was to markedly improve the nutritional value of federal food programs that regularly put free and/or low-cost breakfasts, lunches and snacks on the plates of nearly 30 million American students.

    Folks With Type 1 Diabetes Are No More or Less Likely to Be Overweight: Study

    Type 1 diabetes has long been considered a thin person's disease, but a new study challenges that notion.

    About 62% of adults with type 1 diabetes were overweight or obese, the researchers found. That compared to 64% of those without diabetes and 86% of those with type 2 diabetes.

    For the study, the researchers used data on more than 128,000 people from the U.S. National Health Int...

    Exercise Can Help Shed Dangerous Fat Around the Liver

    Often, patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are advised to lose weight, but that can be hard to do and takes precious time.

    Now, researchers report they have found another strategy can help lower liver fat in people with this condition, which affects nearly 30% of the global population.

    Exercise of about 150 minutes each week at a moderate intensity — the exact re...

    Healthy Lifestyle Cuts Odds for Long COVID in Half

    People who get COVID-19 are at risk for long-term health consequences, but a healthy lifestyle may protect against long COVID, a new study suggests.

    Women who maintained six healthy habits -- a healthy weight, didn't smoke, exercised regularly, slept and ate well, and drank alcohol in moderation -- cut their risk of long COVID by about 50%, compared with women without those healthy habits...

    USDA Proposes New Rules to Cut Sugar, Salt in School Meals

    American schoolchildren could be getting school lunches that have less sugar and salt in the future, thanks to new nutrition standards announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday.

    These are the first school lunch program updates since 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    What's diffe...

    Many Young Americans Don't Realize Heart Attacks Can Hit Them Too: Poll

    Dave Conway had a heart attack in 2018. He was only 30.

    The Clintonville, Ohio, resident had been experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath, finally going to the emergency room with what he thought was pneumonia. Instead, he learned he'd had a “widowmaker” heart attack and a 100% blockage in a major artery.

    “I thought people who had heart attacks or heart disease were older...

    How Many Daily Steps Do You Need to Lose Weight?

    It's clear that staying active is key to being healthy, and fitness trackers and smartwatches have become popular tools for tracking activity.

    But just how many steps does someone need to take to lose weight?

    That's not such a simple a question.

    While evidence is limited on exactly how many steps a day it takes to lose weight, experts say to get about 150 to 300 minutes of m...

    1 in 8 Older Americans May Be 'Junk Food Addicts,' Poll Finds

    It may be that as many as 13% of older adults are addicted to highly processed comfort foods, a new survey finds.

    Craving cookies, chips, packaged snacks and soda was seen in adults aged 50 to 80, according to new data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

    Women had higher numbers of addiction to thes...

    40-Year Study Finds Weight-Loss Surgery Extending Life Spans

    It's well known that obesity fuels an increase in a person's risk for other chronic health conditions.

    Now, a new study shows that weight-loss surgery could set that person's health, and longevity, on a different path.

    Utah researchers who followed patients for up to 40 years after they had one of four types of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery found they had significant reduc...

    'Spare Tire' in Middle Age Could Mean a Frail Old Age

    Any 'middle-age spread' of excess weight around your tummy could raise your risk of becoming frail decades later, a new study suggests.

    Obese folks who've packed on pounds around their waist are more likely to develop symptoms of frailty, including exhaustion, weak grip strength, slow walking speed and reduced physical activity levels, researchers say.

    Those symptoms can make a per...

    Your Weight Could Alter Vitamin D's Effect on Health

    Vitamin D is widely promoted for better health, but if you're overweight, you might not reap the benefits.

    In a new study, researchers found a 30% to 40% reduction in cancer, cancer deaths and autoimmune diseases among people with a lower body mass index (BMI) who took vitamin D supplements,...

    Elementary School Kids Get Healthier When Gardening Is on Curriculum

    A Texas-based education initiative has found that enrolling children in poor communities in gardening and cooking classes may help boost their long-term health.

    Called “Texas Sprouts," the program covered one full academic year and exposed elementary school children in 16 low-income schools access to outdoor gardening instruction, nutrition information and cooking lessons. Parents were ...

    Fast Food May Be Toxic to Your Liver

    Do your liver a favor and steer clear of fast food, new research urges.

    People with obesity or diabetes who consumed 20% or more of their daily calories from fast food had severely elevated levels of fat in their liver compared to those who ate less fast food or none.

    Even the general U.S. population had moderate increases in liver fat when fast food made up one-fifth or more of the...

    Leading Pediatricians' Group Calls for More Aggressive Treatment of Childhood Obesity

    A leading pediatricians' group has issued new guidelines on treating obesity in children and teens that, for the first time, call for early, aggressive intervention that can include weight-loss drugs and surgery.

    “There is no evidence that ‘watchful waiting' or delayed treatment is appropriate for children with obesity,” Dr.

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 9, 2023
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  • Could Weight-Loss Surgery in Teens Raise Risks for Alcohol Abuse?

    For teens who are obese, weight-loss surgery can be life-changing — but not always in a good way.

    A new study finds a troubling downside to weight-loss surgery among 13- to 19-year-olds: They're at increased risk of alcohol use disorders. And their risk stays higher for up to eight years after their surgery.

    “We have to be honest about both the risks and benefits of these proced...

    Some People's Guts Are Better at Gaining Energy From Food

    If you've ever thought you must absorb more calories from food than other people do, you might be onto something: A new study hints that some people's gut bacteria extract more energy, as in calories, from food — possibly contributing to weight gain.

    The study, of 85 overweight adults, found that those with a particular gut bacteria profile — dubbed the "B-type" — had less energy de...

    U.S. Could Face Surging Numbers of Teens With Diabetes

    The United States could see a huge rise in diabetes among young people over the next several decades, a new modeling study finds.

    As many as 220,000 young people under the age of 20 could have type 2 diabetes in 2060, which would represent a nearly eight-fold increase, a research team that included scientists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. Type 1 diabetes ...

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