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. Obesity is
measured using a scale called a body mass index, or BMI. A BMI greater
than 30 is classified as obese. Obesity doesn't affect only adults.
Approximately 4.7 million (about 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.
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Research News
Featuring Harvard Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals
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 |
Research Stories From the Harvard University Gazette
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
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Research Matters
