Weight Loss, Dieting & Obesity Blog

Blog of Weight Loss, Dieting & Obesity Research - Archive #0136.

Big men more susceptible to atrial fibrillation

April 3, 2009 - EurekAlert / European Heart Journal

Older men who were big during their 20s face an increased risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation, or abnormal heart rhythm. New research reveals that height and weight are both factors

Beverage consumption a bigger factor in weight

April 2, 2009 - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

When it comes to weight loss, what you drink may be more important than what you eat. Researchers examined the relationship between beverage consumption among adults and weight change and found that weight loss was positively associated with a reduction in liquid calorie consumption and liquid calorie intake had a stronger impact on weight than solid calorie intake

Researchers discover new fat-fighting pathway

April 1, 2009 - EurekAlert / Nature

Researchers have discovered a process that controls the amount of fat that cells store for use as a back-up energy source. Disruption of this process allows cellular fat to accumulate -- a key factor in age-related metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes

Young vegetarians may have healthier diets but could be at risk for disordered eating behaviors

April 1, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Although adolescent and young adult vegetarians may eat a healthier diet, there is some evidence that they may be at increased risk for disordered eating behaviors. In a study, researchers observed that among adolescents and young adults that current vegetarians may be at increased risk for binge eating, while former vegetarians may be at increased risk for extreme unhealthful weight control behaviors

Optical illusions: Variety makes us perceive smaller quantities

March 31, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of Consumer Research

Here's another reason why dieters should avoid all-you-can-eat buffets: When faced with a large variety of items, consumers tend to underestimate how much of each item is present

Full disclosure: People will make healthier choices if restaurants provide nutritional data

March 31, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of Consumer Research

As more and more Americans eat meals outside the home, the country also faces an epidemic of obesity. An association between eating out and weight-related diseases has led to demands for nutritional labeling of restaurant foods. A new study examines the potential benefits of such labeling

Learning curve: Tricks to resist temptation

March 31, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of Consumer Research

Here's good news for dieters who face food challenges in the break room every day: A new study shows that our resistance gets a boost after we've just been exposed to similar temptations

Infant weight gain linked to childhood obesity

March 30, 2009 - EurekAlert / Pediatrics

An ongoing study of pregnant women and their babies has found that rapid weight gain during the first six months of life may place a child at risk for obesity by age three. Researchers studied 559 children, measuring both weight and body length at birth, six months, and three years. They found that sudden gains throughout early infancy influenced later obesity more so than weight at birth

Difference in fat storage may explain lower rate of liver disease in African-Americans

March 27, 2009 - UT Southwestern Medical Center / Hepatology

Where different ethnic groups store fat in their bodies may account for differences in the likelihood they'll develop insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Combating weight gain caused by antipsychotic treatments

March 26, 2009 - EurekAlert / Biological Psychiatry

Antipsychotic drugs, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal) and quetiapine (Seroquel), are commonly used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, but also bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, the weight gain commonly experienced with antipsychotic treatment is an important side effect for many patients