Obesity traditionally has been defined as a weight at least 20% above the weight corresponding to the lowest death rate for individuals of a specific height, gender, and age (ideal weight). Twenty to forty percent over ideal weight is considered mildly obese; 40?100% over ideal weight is considered moderately obese; and 100% over ideal weight is considered severely, or morbidly, obese.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management.
Want to lose weight? Keep a food journal, don’t skip meals and avoid going out to lunch – Women who want to lose weight should faithfully keep a food journal, and avoid skipping meals and eating in restaurants ? especially at lunch. A wide range of self-monitoring and diet-related behaviors and meal patterns impact weight change among overweight.
FDA approves Belviq to treat some overweight or obese adults – Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) is approved as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management. This obesity drug is approved by US FDA for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).
Study challenges the notion that a calorie is just a calorie — Reducing refined carbohydrates may help maintain weight loss better than reducing fat – Diets that reduce the surge in blood sugar after a meal–either low-glycemic index or very-low carbohydrate?may be preferable to a low-fat diet for those trying to achieve lasting weight loss. low-glycemic index diet had similar metabolic benefits to the very low-carb diet without negative effects of stress and inflammation as seen by participants consuming the very low-carb diet.
Task Force Recommends Obesity Screening for All Adults — Docs Should Screen for Obesity and Direct Obese Patients to Intensive, Multicomponent Behavioral Interventions – In an update to its 2003 recommendation statement on screening for obesity in adults, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all adult patients for obesity. Screening includes measurement of height and weight to ascertain BMI, although measuring waist circumference also is an accepted method.
The weight of nations: An estimation of adult human biomass – The world population is over seven billion and all of these people need feeding. However, the energy requirement of a species depends not only on numbers but on its average mass. New research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal BMC Public Health has estimated the total mass of the human population, defined its distribution by region, and the proportion of this biomass due to the overweight and obesity.
New York City’s proposed ban on big sodas — Bloomberg Defends Move to Curb Big-Soda Sales – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans to implement a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters and street carts. Bloomberg defended his controversial proposal to ban large-sized sugary soda drinks in the city, arguing that it will combat obesity and cut health-care costs.
Less couch time equals fewer cookies — Just 2 simple changes in health behavior spurs big and lasting results – Simply ejecting your rear from the couch means your hand will spend less time digging into a bag of chocolate chip cookies. That is the simple but profound finding of a new Northwestern Medicine study, which reports simply changing one bad habit has a domino effect on others. Knock down your sedentary leisure time and you’ll reduce junk food and saturated fats because you’re no longer glued to the TV and noshing. It’s a two-for-one benefit because the behaviors are closely related.
The American obesity epidemic might be much worse than many experts believe — US obesity rates may be underestimated, study finds: Blame BMI test? – The scope of the obesity epidemic in the United States has been greatly underestimated. Researchers found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) substantially under-diagnoses obesity when compared to the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a direct simultaneous measure of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density.
New evidence on effects of green coffee beans in weight loss – Green, or unroasted, coffee beans can produce a substantial decrease in body weight in a relatively short period of time, revealed by researchers in a study presented at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
