What is obesity?
 Obesity
is an excess of body fat, and is one of the most common health
problems in the United States. About one-fourth of all American
adults are considered to be obese. The condition is
determined by using a number called a body
mass index, or BMI.
A person having a BMI greater than 30 is considered
obese. Obesity affects both adults and children: approximately
4.7 million (or 11 percent) of American children aged 6 to
17 are obese, a percentage that has doubled since the 1960s.
Obesity can
shorten your life and put you at risk of developing a number
of conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart
disease and some forms of cancer.
For information on symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention click here.
Read about obesity surgery.
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Research News
Featuring Harvard Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals
All Fat Mediterranean and Low-Carb Diets are Safe and Effective Weight-Loss Diets
All Fat Not Created
Equal
Less Sleep, More TV Leads to Overweight Children
Overweight Hispanic Children Shown to have Vascular Inflammation
Quick-burning carbs may cause fatty liver.
Researchers find connection between caloric
restriction and longevity.
School-based overweight
prevention program may cut risk of eating disorders among
girls.
Study
Identifies Protein instrumental in fat production, metabolism.
Weight
Gain across social networks.
Genetic
Regulator of Body Weight identified in Joslin study.
Study
Identifies New Regulator of fat metabolism.
Weight
Gain in Pregnancy linked to overweight kids.
Specific
Fat Type can protect against weight gain and diabetes.
Black Americans are
less likely to recognize obesity, study shows.
Molecule Increases Lifespan and “Health-
span” of Obese Mice
Treated mice seen living as long as lean mice.
Weight Change and Breast Cancer
Weight change and postmenopausal breast cancer may
be linked.
Big Hips, Big Belly?
It's in your genes.
Brain
Pathways Control Weight
New
findings help explain how.
Dieting
May Actually Promote Weight Gain in Children
Frequent
dieting by boys and girls, may actually result in weight gain.
Interaction Between Blood Vessels and Fat Tissue
may help fight cancer and obesity.
Obesity
Associated with Poorer Outcomes for Women with Colon Cancer
Obese
women faced worse overall mortality and an increased risk of
colon
cancer.
>More
Research News |
Health & Science Articles
From the Harvard Community
Wanted:
A Smaller Waistline
Starting
an Exercise Program
More
Cancers May Be Linked to Obesity
Getting
to Obesity's Bottom Line
Being
Overweight Runs in Families -
and friends,
too!
Obesity Levels in U.S. are Grossly Underestimated
People provide incorrect information in surveys.
HSPH
Joins Battle Over America's Waistline Forum examines evidence on obesity, health, death.
Key
Gene Discovered for Obesity and Diabetes
Researchers
identified the gene JNK as a key interference in insulin sensitivity related to obesity, obesity-induced
insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The discovery identifies a
new target for therapeutic drugs for both obesity and
diabetes.
>More HU
Gazette on Obesity |
Research Reports
From HMS Faculty Newsletter Focus
Vitamin
A Derivative reins in weight gain.
Obesity and Inflammation: The
relationship heats up.
Hormone May Regulate Addictive Behavior
Drug May Cause Weight Loss Through Brain Cell Growth
Cellular Stress Appears to Link Obesity and Diabetes
Sugary Drinks Raise Risk of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes A
new study provides substantial evidence.
Kinase Pathway Seen to Regulate Urge to Eat
Molecule
is possible target for appetite-suppressing drugs.
Researchers Tie Leptin Hormone to Obesity
Produced by
fat cells, leptin interacts with LRb to suppress appetite.
>More
Research Reports |
