Tag

Obesity

All articles tagged with #obesity

health-and-wellness21 hours ago•14 min saved

Global 54% drop in testosterone over five decades, study finds

A large, multi-country meta-analysis of 118,593 men from 1972–2019 found total testosterone declined by 54% worldwide, averaging more than 1% per year and accelerating after 2000, beyond age-related declines; the researchers note obesity and metabolic syndrome could explain part of the drop and highlight potential roles for environmental chemicals, lifestyle factors, and other health trends, with implications for overall male hormonal health and fertility.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#endocrine-disrupting-chemicals #health-and-wellness #male-fertility

healthcare1 day ago•10 min saved

Vivani pursues long-acting GLP-1 implant to boost adherence

Vivani Medical is developing a tiny, under-the-skin implant that releases semaglutide to provide steady GLP-1 drug exposure for obesity/diabetes treatment, aiming to improve long-term adherence and potentially reduce side effects. The device uses a membrane with millions of microchannels to deliver a consistent dose over months, with a long-term goal of biannual or annual dosing. The first human trial, SLIM-1, is expected to begin mid-2026 in Australia, comparing implants to a low-dose Wegovy injection; if safe and effective, later studies would define dosing and regulatory approval. Key questions remain on comparative efficacy, tolerability, cost, insurance coverage, and how easily providers will adopt in practice; Novo Nordisk is collaborating but not licensing at this stage.

via CNBC|

#glp-1 #healthcare #implant

health2 days ago•13 min saved

New CKM risk alert: 9 in 10 Americans have at least one factor, prompting earlier screening

Nearly 90% of Americans have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome (cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic), a cluster linking obesity, heart/kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association urges earlier, coordinated screening and prevention—obesity screening starts at age 6; other screenings begin at various ages (heart disease around 20, diabetes around 35, kidney disease around 60)—with emphasis on waist circumference and BMI to gauge risk, aiming to curb progression to serious illness.

via The Independent|

#body-fat #cardiovascular-disease #health

health2 days ago•5 min saved

Protein Mitch Reprograms Fat Metabolism, Hinting at Next-Gen Obesity Therapies

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute identified MTCH2, nicknamed Mitch, as a key regulator of fat fate and energy use. Blocking Mitch in muscle and precursor fat cells drives increased fat oxidation and suppresses new fat-cell formation, and mice lacking Mitch stayed lean with more muscle and improved heart function. The findings suggest a potential obesity treatment that boosts fat burning while preserving muscle, though human therapies are not yet available and further research is needed.

via New York Post|

#fat-burning #health #metabolism

health2 days ago•9 min saved

Global drop in men's testosterone over 50 years sparks health concerns

A meta-analysis of six longitudinal studies across five countries shows average total testosterone in men fell about 54% from 1972 to 2019, a decline over 1% per year. While natural variation exists, the population-wide drop could signal broader health issues linked to obesity, diabetes, and environmental factors affecting male health, warranting further investigation.

via ZME Science|

#diabetes #health #mens-health

health2 days ago•3 min saved

Fatty Liver Common in PMOS-Referred Young Women, Highlighting Screening Gaps

In a cross-sectional study of 95 young women referred for PMOS (formerly PCOS), 42% had hepatic steatosis and 6% had liver fibrosis. Steatosis was associated with older age, higher BMI, systemic inflammation, higher metabolic syndrome score, and insulin resistance, while hyperandrogenism was more common in those with steatosis. Noninvasive fibrosis scores (FIB-4 and the Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator) missed the majority of fibrosis cases, suggesting FibroScan evaluation and age-appropriate screening strategies are needed for PMOS patients.

via Medscape|

#fatty-liver-disease #health #liver-fibrosis

world3 days ago•3 min saved

Global cancer cases to surge to 35 million per year by 2050, driven by inequality and aging

The WHO projects global cancer cases could rise from about 21 million in 2024 to 35 million per year by 2050, with the heaviest impact in low-income countries where surveillance and treatment are limited; aging and obesity will drive rises, though gains in tobacco control and HPV vaccination show progress and prevention remains uneven.

via The Detroit News|

#cancer #global-health #health-equity

health3 days ago•3 min saved

Global drop in men's testosterone over decades sparks fertility health alarm

Six longitudinal studies with 118,593 men from Israel, the US, Brazil, Finland and Denmark show total testosterone declined by about 54% from 1972 to 2019, with steeper falls after 2000. While obesity and metabolic syndrome likely explain part of the drop, researchers say environmental factors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and climate change could also contribute. The findings fuel debate about a male fertility crisis, but causality is not settled; reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals and addressing health factors are urged, and testosterone therapy can suppress sperm production.

via The Guardian|

#endocrine-disrupting-chemicals #environmental-factors #health

science3 days ago•86 min saved

Diet–Gut Allies Amplify Cancer Immunotherapy in Obesity

A Nature study shows that obesity-related immunotherapy responses are driven by the diet–gut microbiome axis rather than metabolic dysfunction alone. Using 12 mouse diet models, researchers found obesogenic diets foster a stable gut microbiota that can restore anti-PD-1 sensitivity after short diet changes or fecal microbiota transplantation from non-responders. Monocolonization with beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus johnsonii, paired with an obesogenic diet, enhanced tumor regression via microbiota-derived aromatic amino acid metabolites. In human-to-mouse FMT, high-BMI donors boosted ICI efficacy versus normal-BMI donors, and an obesogenic diet could restore sensitivity after FMT from a non-responder. The work suggests diet–microbiome synergy could be leveraged to improve ICI outcomes and guide FMT-based strategies.

via Nature|

#diet #immunotherapy #microbiome

science3 days 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

business4 days ago•19 min saved

Viking Therapeutics Emerges as a Possible M&A Target in Obesity Space After Vertex-Crinetics Pact

Vertex’s about $10 billion Crinetics acquisition has rekindled takeover chatter in the obesity-drug space, putting Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) in the spotlight as a potential target. Viking’s VK2735 is advancing in the late-stage VANQUISH trials with injectable and planned oral forms, while VK3019 has entered Phase 1, adding a second asset targeting obesity and metabolic disorders. Although attractive to large pharma seeking diversified portfolios, Viking remains a clinical-stage company with no revenue, so any deal would depend on forthcoming VK2735 and VK3019 data and the company’s cash runway.

via Yahoo Finance|

#business #manda #obesity

business4 days ago•3 min saved

Employer Hesitancy Keeps GLP-1 Obesity Drugs Largely Uncovered, Survey Finds

An IFEBP survey shows most U.S. employers haven’t expanded GLP-1 obesity-drug coverage. About 36% provide GLP-1 coverage for both diabetes and weight loss (up from 2024), 60% cover diabetes only, and roughly 45% cover GLP-1s for other conditions. Cost remains the main driver, with plans restricting coverage or directing employees to direct-to-consumer options or HSAs/FSA dollars. Employers emphasize existing benefits like disease management and nutrition counseling, and only around 9% are considering obesity coverage. Medicare’s 18-month obesity coverage rollout could shift decisions if real-world savings materialize.

via CNBC|

#business #employer-coverage #glp-1

health4 days ago•19 min saved

WHO warns a global cancer surge is coming by 2050, fueled by inequities

A World Health Organization report projects global cancer cases to rise substantially by 2050, with lower-income countries hit hardest. Despite progress in cancer surveillance and treatment, inequities in global health care and risk factors such as obesity are driving more cases and deaths, making many cancers preventable through prevention and equitable care.

via The Washington Post|

#cancer #health #health-disparities

health4 days ago•15 min saved

GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Now Used by 11% of Americans

A Gallup poll of 5,065 U.S. adults (May 28–June 5, 2026) finds 11% are currently using GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs (up from 8% in 2025), with 15% having ever tried them and 91% having heard of them; the trend follows FDA approvals for Wegovy (2021) and Zepbound (2023) and coincides with ongoing, but not universal, changes in obesity rates (self‑reported around the mid‑30s). Most users report brand-name drugs, though some use compounded versions; side effects like nausea are possible, while some data suggest reduced cravings, and oral Wegovy (approved 2025) signals more delivery options in the future.

via Gizmodo|

#gallup #glp-1 #health

health4 days ago•11 min saved

US GLP-1 Weight-Loss Use Surges to New High Amid Obesity Decline

Gallup’s 2026 Health & Well-Being Index shows 11% of U.S. adults currently use GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (up from 3% in 2024) and 15% have used them ever. Brand-name meds account for 68% of current use, with compounded versions rising to 19% as cost/insurance influence switching. Awareness of GLP-1s is 91%. The obesity rate has declined to 36.4% in 2026, while diabetes rates remain steady, suggesting GLP-1 uptake may be linked to obesity declines. About one-third of compounded users switched from brand-name, mainly for cost reasons. Data come from 5,065 adults surveyed May 28–June 5, 2026.

via Gallup News|

#brand-name #diabetes #glp-1