Obesity

Babies exposed to higher levels of neurotoxin more likely to have difficulty controlling impulses later, research showsExposure to common air pollution may cause childhood obesity because it affects children’s ability to control impulse, new first-of-its-kind peer-reviewed research finds.Particular matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is a neurotoxin that has been linked to obesity, and Mt Sinai researchers say they have for the first time identified impulse control as a potential pathway. The study found that babies exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during their first year of life were more likely to develop difficulties with controlling impulses later in childhood. Continue reading...

Success of statins and blood-pressure drugs hailed as researchers find some people with obesity were ‘better off’Many adults who are obese have “indistinguishable” cholesterol and blood pressure levels compared with those with a healthy weight, largely because of the use of statins, according to a study.In some cases, people with obesity were “better off” than those of a healthy weight, researchers added. Continue reading...

British Heart Foundation expects about 45 people a day to die over next decade if current trends continueAbout 170,000 people are expected to die from heart-related conditions linked to obesity – one of the leading causes of preventable illnesses – by 2035, according to a leading charity.The analysis, conducted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), found that about 45 people a day are expected to die from cardiovascular disease linked to excess weight and obesity in England over the next decade, as long as current trends in obesity rates continue. In the UK, about two in three adults are living with obesity, and worldwide, more than half of adults and a third of children and young people will be overweight or obese by 2050. Continue reading...

Eli Lilly says participants in a sizable trial of retatrutide lost much more weight compared to other weight-loss drugsA new weight-loss drug has helped participants in a sizable trial lose much more weight than other obesity drugs already on the market – up to an average of 28% of their body weight – Eli Lilly announced Thursday.The Indiana-based pharmaceutical company in a press statement said that retatrutide, a once-weekly triple hormone receptor agonist, led to an average weight loss of 70.3lbs (28.3%) over 80 weeks among participants receiving the 12mg dose, with 45.3% achieving at least 30% weight loss. Continue reading...

Researchers say rise not inevitable and it is important to unpick what is behind differences in obesity trendsA continuing rise in obesity around the world is not inevitable, research suggests, with rates in some countries levelling off or potentially in decline.Researchers say focusing on what has been described as a global epidemic of obesity hides large variations in trends across different countries, sexes and age groups. Continue reading...

Research on weight limits of elevators made in UK and Europe 1972-2004 raises concerns over safety and equityLifts are no longer big enough to fit the UK’s larger citizens, according to researchers.A study of maximum capacity in elevators in the UK and mainland Europe found lifts have not kept up with increasing obesity levels, raising concerns about safety and equity. Continue reading...

Hundreds of four-year-olds among ‘extremely overweight’ patients at 39 specialist centres since 2021More than 6,000 children living with obesity, including hundreds as young as four, have required treatment at specialist NHS weight-loss clinics, new figures reveal.NHS England data, published for the first time, underlines the scale of the growing childhood obesity crisis. Continue reading...

Countries such as US and Mexico that have longer hours also have higher obesity rates, research findsThose who work longer hours are more likely to be obese and cutting how much time you spend working could help you keep the weight off, research suggests.International research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul compared working patterns and obesity prevalence for 33 OECD countries from 1990 to 2022. The study found that countries such as the US, Mexico and Colombia, which have longer annual working hours, also had higher obesity rates, even though northern European countries consume more energy and fat on average than those in Latin America. Continue reading...

Data tool could help NHS prioritise who gets access to limited weight-loss medication, say scientistsA new tool that can shed light on who is most at risk of obesity-related diseases could help identify people who would benefit most from weight-loss medications, researchers have said.Recent data suggests about two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese – a situation that has caused concern among health experts. Continue reading...

• CDC reports released in February 2026 show U.S. childhood and teen obesity rates have reached record levels, marking a significant public health concern for younger populations. • The same reports indicate adult obesity rates appear to be plateauing or slowing their growth trajectory, suggesting different demographic trends across age groups. • The findings underscore ongoing disparities in metabolic health across generations and highlight the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

• Recent research links extreme heat exposure, gaps in obesity coaching, cancer treatment delays, ACA premium cost spikes, and income inequality to widening health disparities across the US. • These factors exacerbate vulnerabilities in underserved populations, with global implications but focused US data. • Findings underscore needs for targeted interventions in public health equity amid rising climate and economic pressures.

GLP-1 drugs, once primarily used for diabetes treatment, have demonstrated impressive effectiveness in treating obesity, which affects over 100 million Americans, according to PBS NewsHour reporting. The class of medications is generating significant clinical interest as researchers explore both the therapeutic benefits and potential risks associated with their use. Medical experts including Dr. Jody Dushay, Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, Dr. Anna Lembke, and Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly discussed the promise of these drugs alongside concerns about safety and long-term outcomes in recent coverage.

Recent research examined by Mad in America reveals significant connections between psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic drug use, and increased risk factors for obesity and diabetes, highlighting gaps in current screening practices. The studies indicate that individuals receiving psychiatric treatment face elevated metabolic health risks, yet comprehensive screening protocols often fail to adequately address these connections. The findings underscore the need for integrated healthcare approaches that monitor and manage both mental health conditions and associated metabolic complications in psychiatric patients.