Weight Loss, Dieting & Obesity Blog

Blog of Weight Loss, Dieting & Obesity Research - Archive #0157.

Watching your weight? Beware of skinny friends with big appetites

September 21, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of Consumer Research

Thin friends who eat a lot could put your waistline at risk, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, which examines how other peoples' weight and food choices influence how much we eat.

Large fat cells may increase risk of type 2 diabetes in women

September 21, 2009 - University of Gothenburg / FASEB Journal

Middle-aged women with large abdominal fat cells have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life compared to women with smaller fat cells. Waist circumference divided by body height can also be used to determine which women are at risk

Nevada professor discovers new way to calculate body's 'Maximum Weight Limit'

September 18, 2009 - EurekAlert / Nevada Public Health Association Conference

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is an index used to determine healthy body weight. But, calculating BMI involves a complex formula, and then charts or online calculators are needed to convert the BMI information to a "healthy weight range." University of Nevada, Reno Professor of Applied Statistics George Fernandez has found a much simpler way of calculating a "Maximum Weight Limit," which closely corresponds to weight recommendations listed on BMI charts

Scientists pinpoint protein link to fat storage

September 17, 2009 - EurekAlert / Journal of Cell Science

A protein found present in all cells in the body could help scientists better understand how we store fat. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found that the protein invadolysin, which is essential for healthy cell division, is present in lipid droplets -- the parts of cells used to store fat.

Weight loss is good for the kidneys

September 17, 2009 - EurekAlert / Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

Losing weight may preserve kidney function in obese people with kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The findings indicate that taking off the pounds could be an important step kidney disease patients can take to protect their health

Color-coded chart improves parents' understanding of body mass index

September 16, 2009 - University of North Carolina School of Medicine / Academic Pediatrics

A new study shows that parents are more likely to understand a body mass index chart if it's color-coded, like a traffic light, than the standard charts currently in use.

Brain's response to seeing food may be linked to weight loss maintenance

September 15, 2009 - EurekAlert / American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A difference in brain activity patterns may explain why some people are able to maintain a significant weight loss while others regain the weight

Ice cream may target the brain before your hips

September 14, 2009 - UT Southwestern Medical Center / Journal of Clinical Investigation

Blame your brain for sabotaging your efforts to get back on track after splurging on an extra scoop of ice cream or that second burger during Friday night's football game

Children with fatter midsections at increased risk for cardiovascular disease

September 10, 2009 - Medical College of Georgia / International Journal of Pediatric Obesity

Children with more fat around their midsections could be at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, researchers say

Children with emotional difficulties at higher risk for adult obesity

September 10, 2009 - EurekAlert / BMC Medicine

Previous research has shown that low self-esteem and emotional problems are found in people who are overweight or obese -- but not which influences which. Research published today sheds light on this issue showing that children with emotional difficulties are at higher risk for obesity in adult life