Obesity

Overweight and obesity are defined by the WHO as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals health.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and while it was once an issue only in high income countries, overweight and obesity has now dramatically risen in low- and middle-income countries.Such countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease, for while they continue to deal with the problems of infectious disease and under-nutrition, they are also experiencing a rapid upsurge in chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban settings.

What is Obesity?

Obesity and overweight have in the last decade become a global problem - according to the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults over the of age 15+ were overweight, at least 400 million adults were obese and at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight.

Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO)

What is Obesity Paradox?

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity and Depression

Obesity and Respiratory Disorders

Obesity and Autism

Obesity and Stress

Obesity and Arthritis

Why is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

See more featured articles »

Obesity in Children

Obesity and Genetics

Obesity and Cancer

What does Sleeve Gastrectomy Involve?

Dieting for Obese Children

Obesity and Skin Problems

Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity in Adults

Obesity and Hormones

Obesity and Exercise

Obesity and Sexual Health

Obesity and Periodontitis

Causes of Obesity and Overweight

Obesity and Fractures

Obesity in Pregnancy

Obesity and Blood Pressure

Obesity Epidemiology

Obesity and Sleep

Obesity and Fast Food

Obesity and Anesthesia

Obesity, What Can be Done?

Obesity and Infertility

Obesity Management

Obesity and Heart Disease

Latest Obesity News and Research

Gut bacteria compound during pregnancy protects offspring from fatty liver disease

Children born to mothers who consume a high-fat, high-sugar diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding face a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease later in life.

14 Jan 2026

Post-meal blood sugar spikes linked to increased Alzheimer's risk

A new study led by researchers from the University of Liverpool has found that spikes in blood sugar after meals may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

14 Jan 2026

PFAS exposure linked to gestational diabetes and insulin problems

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of highly persistent environmental chemicals commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," is associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and altered markers of insulin resistance and insulin secretion, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

14 Jan 2026

New metabolomic signature predicts type 2 diabetes risk beyond traditional factors

Diabetes, a metabolic disease, is on the rise worldwide, and over 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetes, where the body does not effectively respond to insulin.

14 Jan 2026

States race to launch rural health transformation plans

Imagine starting the new year with the promise of at least a $147 million payout from the federal government.

14 Jan 2026

Bariatric surgery reshapes body fat and muscle more than GLP-1 drugs

Bariatric surgery and GLP-1 treatments reshape body composition differently, emphasizing the importance of sex and treatment choice in muscle preservation.

14 Jan 2026

Light daily movement linked to longer life in cardiometabolic disease

Researchers determine the impact of light physical activity on mortality in people with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.

14 Jan 2026

Breast milk shares beneficial bacteria with babies

Researchers examine the relationship between the maternal milk microbiome and infant gut microbiome.

14 Jan 2026

Study explores how biological and environmental systems regulate body weight

Pennington Biomedical researchers recently investigated the systems of the body that regulate weight, exploring whether our bodies defend an established weight target or if our bodies operate within a broader range of tolerance before biological mechanisms are activated.

13 Jan 2026

Preclinical study reveals potential new treatment for severe liver fibrosis

Researchers at McMaster University are leading preclinical studies into a novel drug candidate developed by Espervita Therapeutics that has the potential to prevent and reverse liver fibrosis - a dangerous, disease-induced build-up of scar tissue in the liver that often leads to cancer.

13 Jan 2026

WHO urges stronger taxes to curb sugary drink and alcohol consumption

Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially in children and young adults.

13 Jan 2026

Higher maternal blood pressure linked to increased risks of pregnancy complications

Helping women to keep their blood pressure at normal levels could reduce their risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Bristol. The research is published in BMC Medicine today [14 January].

13 Jan 2026

Obesity study reveals gut fat's unique inflammatory role and immune cell richness

Abdominal fat is not a uniform tissue. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, and Helmholtz Munich reveals that fat located close to the large intestine contains an unusually high number of inflammatory fat cells and immune cells.

13 Jan 2026

Blocking liver enzyme Caspase-2 may increase long-term cancer risk

Scientists have discovered that blocking a key cellular enzyme thought to protect against fatty liver disease may instead increase the risk of chronic liver damage and cancer as we age.

13 Jan 2026

Most patients regain lost weight within two years of stopping obesity drugs

Weight management medications show limited long-term effects, with rapid weight regain post-treatment, emphasizing the need for sustainable obesity strategies.

13 Jan 2026

Why some people can’t lose weight even when they follow the rules

New research reveals biological factors, not just effort, influence weight loss success, highlighting the need for personalized diet and exercise interventions.

13 Jan 2026

Study shows biosynthetic method to make low-calorie sugar substitute

From saccharin in the 19th century to stevia and monk fruit in the 21st, researchers and the food industry have long sought a sweetener that delivers the taste of sugar without its drawbacks-excess calories, tooth decay, and heightened risk for obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

12 Jan 2026