Obesity News Today is the official news channel of the Obesity & Weight Management Alliance

Weight loss treatment may cut risk of dementia, stroke and early death, study finds
New research suggests that weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro may offer protective benefits against dementia, stroke and premature death in people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Experts call for urgent regulation of overseas weight loss surgery as medical tourism booms
Leading UK experts are calling for tighter regulation of weight loss surgery abroad, warning that the booming trade in bariatric medical tourism is placing lives at risk.

New study identifies stronger predictor of stroke risk linked to obesity
Obesity is a known risk factor for stroke, but using body mass index (BMI) alone to assess stroke risk may not be enough. A new international study suggests that better predictors are available — and artificial intelligence could help improve early detection and prevention.

The link between obesity and heart health
At the recent Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine, hosted by Harvard Medical School, Dr Harold Bays, Medical Director at the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, highlighted the direct and indirect ways in which obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

One in five adults living with overweight could be reclassified as obese under new framework
A new study has found that one in five adults living with overweight in the United States could be newly classified as living with obesity under a revised definition developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO).

£126 billion annual cost of obesity in the UK
The true cost of the UK’s overweight and obesity crisis has reached an eye-watering £126 billion a year, according to a major new analysis by Frontier Economics for the Nesta think tank.

First 1,000 days key to preventing childhood obesity, experts warn
Childhood obesity has reached "alarming" levels in the UK, prompting leading scientists to call for urgent action to establish healthy habits during the earliest stages of life.

Healthy food partnership to tackle obesity epidemic
Food retailers and manufacturers will ‘make the healthy choice the easy choice’ in a world-first partnership between government and industry to tackle the obesity epidemic and ease pressure on the NHS as part of the Plan for Change.

More than half of children set to be living with overweight or obesity in nine parts of England by 2035, new study warns
Childhood obesity is set to worsen across England, with new projections revealing that more than half of all 10- and 11-year-olds in nine local authority areas will be living with overweight or obesity by 2035.

‘Fat-shaming doesn’t work’ – Public Health chief urges compassionate approach
With more than a third of adults in parts of Worcestershire living with obesity, the county’s Director of Public Health, Dr Lisa McNally has called for a shift away from finger-pointing and shame – and towards practical, community-based support.

New study highlights limitations of current genetic testing for obesity
A new study has identified key gaps in current genetic testing approaches for obesity, suggesting that more comprehensive analysis is needed to identify individuals with a genetic predisposition to the condition. The findings highlight the value of whole-exome sequencing over existing obesity gene panels and call for a rethink of current testing criteria.

Kingston Council plans ban on junk food adverts to tackle obesity and diabetes
A London borough is set to introduce a ban on junk food advertising in a move aimed at tackling rising rates of obesity and diabetes.

Novo Nordisk’s experimental weight-loss drug shows mostly mild side effects in trials
Full data from two major Phase 3 trials of Novo Nordisk’s investigational weight-loss treatment, CagriSema, show that most side effects were mild to moderate, with positive outcomes reported for weight reduction and blood sugar control.

Weight-loss jab Mounjaro now available via GPs in England – but only for people who meet strict criteria
Mounjaro, the weekly weight-loss injection also known as tirzepatide, will be available through GP surgeries in England from today. However, access to the drug is limited to people who meet tight eligibility criteria, as the NHS takes a phased approach to manage demand and resources.

Higher dose of Wegovy®▼ (semaglutide injection) led to average weight loss of 20.7 per cent
Novo Nordisk recently presented the results from the phase 3b STEP UP trial for weight management in adults living with obesity without diabetes at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, in Chicago.

Overweight teenage boys may pass on genetic health risks to future children, study warns
Teenage boys who are overweight could be passing on harmful genetic changes to their future children, increasing their risk of conditions such as obesity and asthma, according to new research.

Scientists link another gene to obesity
Using a tool called Automated Meiotic Mapping (AMM) that was developed at UT Southwestern Medical Center, a team of researchers has identified a gene that appears to be key for regulating food intake.

MHRA issues contraception warning for women using weight-loss injections
Women prescribed GLP-1 weight-loss medications urged to use effective contraception as MHRA highlights reproductive health concerns

Smart scales to be piloted in NHS clinics to support children living with obesity
A new digital tool aimed at children living with severe obesity is set to be piloted across 15 specialist NHS clinics in England.

Wegovy use among US teens rises by 50 per cent
The number of US adolescents being prescribed the weight-loss medication Wegovy has surged by 50 per cent in the past year, according to new data, as families and healthcare professionals increasingly consider GLP-1 therapies as part of obesity treatment.