More than a third of websites that advertise and sell compounded versions of popular drugs for diabetes and weight loss — such as Ozempic and Wegovy — falsely claim the compounded medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to a recent research letter. Compounded drugs, such as those using the … Read more
Two professional obesity organizations have expressed concerns about the Lancet Commission’s new obesity definition, but its lead author says that much of the concern reflects misinterpretation. On January 14, 2025, the Lancet Commission redefined obesity by classifying it as either “clinical obesity,” a disease, or “preclinical,” a health risk factor. They recommended that obesity be … Read more
Practiced for centuries as a ritual in many religions, intermittent fasting (IF) is rapidly growing in popularity as a weight loss and health-improvement tool. A 2024 survey found that as many as 13% of Americans followed an IF regimen during the previous year. But does it really offer health benefits? And are there any downsides? … Read more
We know now that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs for obesity bring with them a whole host of other potential benefits, as well as a handful of side effects. But new research has brought a sharper focus on both the pros and the cons of these medications, and with that comes new challenges and opportunities … Read more
As glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist use becomes more prevalent, patients are using them for new indications — and at new dosages. Say hello to microdosing, or taking doses lower than the recommended therapeutic amount, for various reasons: Weight maintenance, metabolic health improvements, anti-inflammation and anti-autoimmune effects, fewer side effects, and lower costs. Advocates … Read more
Physical inactivity increases the risk for diabetes, other chronic diseases, and premature death and should be screened for and managed, new research suggested. “There is nearly irrefutable evidence on the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases, including diabetes,” Louis Carr, PhD, Iowa Bioscience Innovation Facility, Iowa … Read more
TOPLINE: Time-restricted eating (TRE) doesn’t significantly reduce visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but leads to significant reductions in body weight compared with usual care in adults with overweight or obesity. METHODOLOGY: Although previous studies suggest that TRE may lead to modest weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic health, the optimal timing of the eating window in … Read more
TOPLINE: Overall, obesity at the time of cancer diagnosis is independently associated with worse survival outcomes in pediatric patients. The association, however, varied by cancer type with the strongest link in those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and central nervous system (CNS) tumors but with no significant associations found in those with lymphomas or non-CNS solid … Read more
More Americans than ever are hurting with enduring, life-restricting pain. Like obesity, this condition is on the rise, according to figures in a new NCHS Data Brief from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2023, 24.3% of US adults had chronic pain, and 8.5% had high-impact chronic pain (HICP) that frequently limited … Read more