Tag

Bmi

All articles tagged with #bmi

health9 days ago•5 min saved

Abdominal Fat Outshines BMI as Heart-Risk Predictor, Study Finds

A large study of nearly 260,000 adults followed for about 20 years found that waist measurements and waist-to-hip ratio better identify cardiovascular risk than BMI, with abdominal/visceral fat linked to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and death—even among those with normal or overweight BMI. The findings suggest BMI alone misses important risk factors related to fat distribution, though the study is limited by a single measurement and lack of data on activity, diet, or genetics. The takeaway is to consider where fat is stored, not just how much, when assessing heart health.

via Fox News|

#bmi #cardiovascular-risk #health

health12 days ago•4 min saved

Waist Measurements May Beat BMI in Predicting Heart Disease Risk

A study of nearly 260,000 people found that belly fat (visceral fat) measured by waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio better predicts future heart disease risk than BMI alone; even individuals with normal or overweight BMI can have high visceral fat, increasing risk up to 50%. Clinicians should use waist metrics alongside BMI, and efforts to reduce belly fat—through a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management—are advised.

via Healthline|

#bmi #cardiovascular-disease-risk #health

science1 month ago•20 min saved

Genes load the dice in obesity, but environment tips the balance

Two recent PLOS Medicine studies show that genetics explain a large portion of how BMI tracks in families (about 79% for mothers and 94% for fathers by age eight), but obesity remains a product of gene–environment interaction. With over 3,000 genetic variants involved, today’s obesogenic environment intensifies genetic risk, and genetic differences may influence how weight‑loss drugs work. The takeaway is that obesity is not fate; biology shapes risk while a healthy environment can mitigate it, and understanding this interplay is key to tackling the obesity epidemic.

via EL PAÍS English|

#bmi #environment #genetics

health1 month ago•11 min saved

Medicare kicks off temporary, discounted obesity-drug coverage for eligible seniors

Medicare will launch the temporary GLP-1 Bridge program on July 1, offering eligible Part D enrollees access to weight-loss drugs (Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo) for about $50 a month, subject to BMI and health criteria. The 18-month pilot tests new coverage ahead of a potential Balance model in 2028; costs to Medicare are uncertain and depend on enrollment. While many seniors could benefit, eligibility gaps remain, and questions linger about post-Bridge access and insurer participation. Drugs can be obtained via pharmacies or LillyDirect, and manufacturers say supply is sufficient. The program aims to treat obesity like other diseases and reduce related health risks, though long-term savings are debated.

via CNN|

#bmi #bridge-program #glp-1

health2 months ago•7 min saved

Five Essential Heart Numbers Everyone Should Track Early

Cardiologists say adults should monitor five key numbers—blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index/waist size, and resting heart rate—along with family history and lifestyle. Regular checks help detect cardiovascular risks early and guide lifestyle changes to reduce heart disease, a priority in India where hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are rising.

via The Times of India|

#blood-pressure #blood-sugar #bmi

health2 months ago•6 min saved

Obesity Redefined: BMI Alone May Miss Many Cases

Using an updated obesity definition that accounts for excess body fat and related organ dysfunction, a new study suggests BMI alone may miss many cases and could reclassify a substantial share of U.S. adults as obese. While this approach highlights the need for broader measures like waist circumference, experts caution against overcounting since non-obesity causes can raise fat-related risk and BMI remains a practical starting point for screening, with implications for earlier treatment.

via The New York Times|

#bmi #health #obesity

health2 months ago•13 min saved

Obesity: why a single disease label misses the mark

An international Lancet Commission argues obesity is not a single disease: some people have clinical obesity with organ dysfunction, while others have preclinical obesity with preserved function. Because BMI cannot predict individual health outcomes, disease definitions should hinge on organ impact rather than a blanket label, to guide care, policy and research—though this approach is still debated.

via Nature|

#bmi #clinical-obesity #health

politics2 months ago•56 min saved

Trump's Medical Report Quietly Confirms Weight Gain, Sparking Health Scrutiny

Trump gained 14 pounds since April 2025, bringing his BMI to 29.7 (borderline obese) and prompting doctors to urge weight loss, even as the White House touts the report as showing 'excellent health,' with observers questioning data accuracy and noting discrepancies like an unexplained edema note.

via The Daily Beast|

#bmi #donald-j-trump #health

health2 months ago•4 min saved

GLP-1 Weight Loss Linked to Lower Obesity-Related Disease Risk in Large Real-World Study

A real-world study of 89,718 US patients starting GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP drugs found that greater weight loss during the first year (BMI drop ≥15%) is tied to substantially lower risks of several obesity-related conditions—osteoarthritis (37%), CKD (30%), sleep apnea (69%), and heart failure (32%)—though the heart failure result wasn’t statistically robust. About half of participants stopped treatment within a year, and the findings imply that health benefits depend on achieving and maintaining weight loss, not just the drugs themselves.

via ScienceAlert|

#bmi #disease-risk #glp-1-drugs

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Genetic clues link higher caffeine levels to lower body fat and diabetes risk

A 2023 Mendelian randomization study using data from about 10,000 people found that genetically higher plasma caffeine concentrations are associated with lower BMI and fat mass, and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (about half of the effect mediated by BMI). There was no clear link to cardiovascular diseases. The authors note caffeine metabolism genes CYP1A2 and AHR influence caffeine levels, and suggest caffeine may boost thermogenesis and fat oxidation; however causal relationships aren’t proven and randomized trials are needed to confirm whether non-caloric caffeinated beverages could help reduce obesity or diabetes risk.

via ScienceAlert|

#bmi #caffeine #genetics

health3 months ago•6 min saved

Meat-Eating Women Over 80 May Reach 100, But Only If They’re Not Underweight

A large Chinese study of people 80+ finds that among women, meat eaters were more likely to reach 100 than female vegetarians, but this advantage disappears in men. Underweight vegetarians were less likely to hit 100. Vegetarians who ate fish, dairy, or eggs had similar odds to meat eaters. BMI partly explains the association, highlighting the need for adequate calories and protein in aging, though the study shows associations, not causation, and emphasizes a balanced diet across animal- and plant-derived foods.

via ScienceAlert|

#aging #bmi #diet

health3 months ago•268 min saved

Obesity linked to rise in 11 cancers among under-50s, new study suggests

A BMJ Oncology study using England’s cancer registry data (2001–2019) finds 11 cancers—thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, oral, breast and ovarian—are rising in people aged 20–49, with obesity emerging as a significant driver (likely via insulin and inflammation). However BMI alone doesn’t explain the entire increase; many cancers are rising in both younger and older adults, and other factors such as diet, ultra-processed foods, inactivity, and environmental influences may contribute. The researchers urge large, long-term studies to identify all causes and stress that tackling obesity—especially in children and youth—should be a national priority, alongside further investigation into other potential contributors.

via AOL.com|

#bmi #cancer #health

health3 months ago•16 min saved

Obesity linked to rise in 11 cancers among under-50s, new study finds

A BMJ Oncology study using England data (2001–2019) finds cancer rates rising in people aged 20–49, with obesity/BMI identified as a major driver for 11 cancers (thyroid, liver, kidney, colorectal, pancreatic, breast, ovarian, endometrial, oral, gallbladder, multiple myeloma). Obesity explains part of the rise (e.g., about 15% of bowel cancer in younger people; 40–50% when combined with other risk factors), but other causes remain, prompting calls for long-term research and stronger public health actions to curb obesity.

via The Independent|

#bmi #bmj-oncology #cancer

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Early Breakfast and Longer Overnight Fast Linked to Lower BMI

A study of more than 7,000 adults followed over five years found that eating breakfast around 7:30 a.m. and keeping about a 10.5-hour gap between the last bite of dinner and breakfast the next day were associated with a lower BMI, suggesting that front-loading calories earlier in the day and avoiding late-night eating may support weight management; the approach is described as flexible timing rather than strict intermittent fasting.

via Women's Health|

#bmi #breakfast #circadian-rhythm

science4 months ago•5 min saved

Earlier Breakfast and Dinner Linked to Lower BMI, Study Finds

A 7,074-person ISGlobal study followed adults for five years and found that finishing meals earlier, eating breakfast earlier, and extending the overnight fast are associated with lower BMI. The findings, stronger in premenopausal women, suggest circadian-aligned eating may aid weight management, while late breakfast and more frequent meals correlated with higher BMI; a subgroup of men who skipped breakfast showed no weight benefit. The study is observational and cannot establish causation, highlighting the need for trials on chrononutrition.

via ScienceAlert|

#bmi #breakfast #chrononutrition