Obesity News and Research

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Overweight and obesity are defined by the WHO as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals health.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and while it was once an issue only in high income countries, overweight and obesity has now dramatically risen in low- and middle-income countries.Such countries are now facing a "double burden" of disease, for while they continue to deal with the problems of infectious disease and under-nutrition, they are also experiencing a rapid upsurge in chronic disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in urban settings.

Gut Bacteria Use Protein Injection to Influence Human Immune System

Bacteria in the human gut can directly deliver proteins into human cells, actively shaping immune responses.

27 Jan 2026

Cytomegalovirus can Hijack a Central 'Traffic Controller' for Immune Cells

In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers from Monash University and the Lions Eye Institute have discovered a tissue protein that acts as a central 'traffic controller' for immune cells and can be hijacked by a virus to weaken immune responses.

22 Jan 2026

Hidden Sperm RNA Remodeling With Age May Impact Next Generation

Increasing paternal age has been linked to elevated health risks for the next generation, including higher risks of obesity and stillbirth. But what drives this increased risk remains unknown.

21 Jan 2026

Study Overturns Understanding About How T Cells Recognize Lipid Antigens

A new discovery about how cells communicate with each other in the body's immune system has revealed deeper insights for an international team of scientists into fundamental immune system function.

16 Jan 2026

New Enzyme and Bacteria Unlock Efficient Production of Healthy Sweetener

From saccharin in the 19th century to stevia and monk fruit in the 21st, researchers and the food industry have long sought a sweetener that delivers the taste of sugar without its drawbacks-excess calories, tooth decay, and heightened risk for obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

14 Jan 2026

Population-Specific Proteomic Analysis Advances Precision Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers have conducted the most comprehensive analysis to date linking plasma proteins to genetic variation in individuals from continental Africa.

9 Jan 2026

Mitochondria Transfer Eases Chronic Nerve Pain

For millions living with nerve pain, even a light touch can feel unbearable. Scientists have long suspected that damaged nerve cells falter because their energy factories known as mitochondria don't function properly.

8 Jan 2026

Identifying Molecules That Activate and Inhibit Key Protein Function

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a concealed molecular "control switch" within a protein that plays a crucial role in the body's ability to perceive taste, regulate blood sugar, and protect the gut.

7 Jan 2026

Hidden Molecular "Control Switch" Uncovered Inside TRPM5 Protein

Northwestern University scientists have uncovered a hidden molecular "control switch" inside a protein that helps the body sense taste, control blood sugar and defend the gut.

6 Jan 2026

Researchers Find Enzyme That Controls Fat Production, Offering New Drug Target

Obesity is a global epidemic and a major cause of morbidity and mortality because it increases the risk for comorbidities, including heart disease and fatty liver disease (MASLD). Rates of these disorders have risen as the world increasingly adopts energy-dense diets and sedentary lifestyles.

24 Dec 2025

New Rat Study Reveals How Genetic Traits Ripple Through Social Microbiomes

The gut microbiome - made up of trillions of microbes in the digestive tract - is vital for digestion and overall health. Diet and medication shape these microbial ecosystems, but the contribution of genetics has been more difficult to ascertain.

22 Dec 2025

Specific Gut Bacteria Found to Control Weight and Blood Fat Levels

The gut microbiome is intimately linked to human health and weight. Differences in the gut microbiome-the bacteria and fungi in the gut-are associated with obesity and weight gain, raising the possibility that changing the microbiome could improve health.

17 Dec 2025