September 21, 2020

Rising Obesity Levels Put Americans at Risk During Pandemic: CDC

THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020 -- Adult obesity in the United States continues to rise, and being obese increases the risk of severe illness in people with COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.

Agency data also show that racial and ethnic disparities in obesity rates persist.

September 8, 2020

New Weight-Loss Program Shows Promise Among Low-Income Americans

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2020 -- Lifestyle interventions can help people lose weight, but experts have worried whether such programs can work in low-income communities where obesity rates can be high and access to health care can be limited.

Until now.

September 2, 2020

Don't Wait to Lose Weight: Shedding Obesity in Youth Extends Life

MONDAY, Aug. 17, 2020 -- Obesity can kill, contributing to the development of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But losing weight before middle age arrives can help prevent early death, a new study shows.

The researchers tracked health data for more than 24,000 people, considering obesity, weight loss and risk of early death. The study found that people who were obese at age 25 but lost weight between early adulthood and midlife were less likely to die at earlier ages compared to those who were persistently obese.

August 21, 2020

Even Mild Obesity Raises Odds for Severe COVID-19

THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 -- Even mild obesity significantly drives up the risk for serious illness or death among COVID-19 patients, researchers from Italy report.

"Health care practitioners should be aware that people with any grade of obesity, not just the severely obese, are a population at risk," said study lead author Dr. Matteo Rottoli.

August 18, 2020

More Evidence That Weight-Loss Surgery Prevents Early Death

MONDAY, Aug. 17, 2020 -- For those who are obese, weight-loss surgery can boost quality of life and quickly improve some chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes. Now, a new study confirms that weight-loss procedures probably also add years to your life.

Canadian researchers found that people who had bariatric surgery reduced their risk of dying from any cause by about one-third over five years. Folks 55 and over seemed to fare even better -- cutting their risk nearly in half.

August 3, 2020

Under 50 and Overweight? Your Odds for Dementia Later May Rise

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020 -- Need fresh motivation to lose some weight? New research suggests that young adults who are overweight or obese face a higher risk for dementia in their golden years.

For the study, the researchers looked at just over 5,100 older adults who were involved in two long-term studies. The investigators found that women who were overweight between 20 and 49 years of age had nearly twice the risk of dementia after age 70. And older men and women who were obese in those earlier years saw their risk jump 150%.