ScienceDaily: Dieting and Weight Control News

Beliefs about causes of obesity may impact weight, eating behavior

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:38:38 EDT

Whether a person believes obesity is caused by overeating or by a lack of exercise predicts his or her actual body mass, according to new research.

IQ link to baby's weight gain in first month

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:11:11 EDT

New research shows that weight gain and increased head size in the first month of a baby's life is linked to a higher IQ at early school age.

Diet may affect Alzheimer's disease risk

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:28:28 EDT

The lipidation states (or modifications) in certain proteins in the brain that are related to the development of Alzheimer disease appear to differ depending on genotype and cognitive diseases, and levels of these protein and peptides appear to be influenced by diet, according to a new report.

Bariatric surgery restores nerve cell properties altered by diet

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:13:13 EDT

Understanding how gastric bypass surgery changes the properties of nerve cells that help regulate the digestive system could lead to new treatments that produce the same results without surgery, according to scientists who have shown how surgery restores some properties of nerve cells that tell people their stomachs are full.

Weight loss improves memory and alters brain activity in overweight women

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:09:09 EDT

Memory improves in older, overweight women after they lose weight by dieting, and their brain activity actually changes in the regions of the brain that are important for memory tasks, a new study finds.

Adolescents' high-fat diet impairs memory and learning

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:08:08 EDT

A high-fat diet in adolescence appears to have long-lasting effects on learning and memory during adulthood, a new study in mice finds.

Short-term antidepressant use, stress, high-fat diet linked to long-term weight gain

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:08:08 EDT

Short-term use of antidepressants, combined with stress and a high-fat diet, is associated with long-term increases in body weight, a new animal study finds.

Deep brain stimulation trial in treatment-resistant obesity links weight loss trend to metabolism increase programmed in metabolic chamber

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:20:20 EDT

A deep brain stimulation trial in treatment-resistant obesity linked a weight loss trend to a metabolism increase programmed in a metabolic chamber, according to a pilot study.

Four-fold rise in children treated for obesity-related conditions

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:32:32 EDT

The number of children admitted to hospital for problems related to obesity in England and Wales quadrupled between 2000 and 2009, a study has found.

Hot flashes before menopause? It can happen

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:38:38 EDT

More than half of middle-aged women who still have regular cycles have hot flashes.

Obese patients trust diet advice from overweight physicians more than normal weight physicians

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:33:33 EDT

New study indicates overweight and obese patients trust weight-related counseling from overweight physicians more than normal weight physicians and patients seeing an obese primary care physician were more likely to perceive weight-related stigma.

People lie about their health related behaviors: Truth in barcodes

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:10:10 EDT

People lie about their health related behaviors. It’s a problem that has long bedeviled health research on issues ranging from diet to exercise to smoking. And it’s not just that we have faulty memories. Many of us stretch the truth to make ourselves seem more virtuous in the eyes of the person in the white coat. That makes drawing conclusions about behaviors that affect health from self-reported records tricky.

Childhood abuse linked with food addiction in adult women

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:15:15 EDT

Women who experienced severe physical or sexual abuse during childhood are much more likely to have a food addiction as adults than women who did not experience such abuse, according to a new study. The study's findings provide valuable new information regarding potential causes and treatments for food addiction and obesity.

Children of married parents less likely to be obese

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Children living in households where the parents are married are less likely to be obese, according to new research.

Reducing caloric intake delays nerve cell loss

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:39:39 EDT

Activating an enzyme known to play a role in the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction delays the loss of brain cells and preserves cognitive function in mice, according to a new study. The findings could one day guide researchers to discover drug alternatives that slow the progress of age-associated impairments in the brain.

Mediterranean diet seems to boost aging brain power

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, according to new research.

Vicious cycle: Obesity sustained by changes in brain biochemistry

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:55:55 EDT

Scientists have shown that in the brain cells of rats, obesity impedes the production of a hormone that curbs appetite and inspires calorie burning. The root cause appears to be a breakdown in the protein-processing mechanism of the cells. In the lab, the researchers showed they could fix the breakdown with drugs.

Fish oil may stall effects of junk food on brain

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Data from more than 180 research papers suggests fish oils could minimize the effects that junk food can have on the brain, a review has shown.

Diet linked to daytime sleepiness and alertness in healthy adults

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:46:46 EDT

A new study suggests that your level of sleepiness or alertness during the day may be related to the type of food that you eat.

Weight gain linked with personality trait changes

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:40:40 EDT

People who gain weight are more likely to give in to temptations but also are more thoughtful about their actions, according to a new study.

Dieting youth show greater brain reward activity in response to food

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:26:26 EDT

Research results imply that dieting characterized by meal skipping and fasting would be less successful than weight loss efforts characterized by intake of low energy dense healthy foods.

Mild iodine deficiency in womb associated with lower scores on children's literacy tests

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:14 EDT

Children who did not receive enough iodine in the womb performed worse on literacy tests as 9-year-olds than their peers, according to a recent study.

What triggers those late-night snack cravings?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:03:03 EDT

The circadian system increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings, according to new research. Eating higher-calorie foods in the evening can be counterproductive if weight loss is a goal since the human body handles nutrients differently depending on the time of day.

Mediterranean diet linked to preserving memory

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:46:46 EDT

A new study suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes consuming foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, chicken and salad dressing, and avoiding saturated fats, meat and dairy foods, may be linked to preserving memory and thinking abilities.

Key shift in brain that creates drive to overeat identified

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:42:42 EDT

Neuroscientists have identified a cellular change in the brain that accompanies obesity. The findings could explain the body's tendency to maintain undesirable weight levels, rather than an ideal weight, and identify possible targets for pharmacological efforts to address obesity. The study identifies a mechanism for the body's ongoing tendency to return to the heavier weight.

Treatment by naturopathic doctors shows reduction in cardiovascular risk factors

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

Counseling and treatment with naturopathic care as well as enhanced usual care reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a risk factor for heart disease, by 17 percent over a year for participants in a randomized controlled trial.

Weight loss programs via virtual reality

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:56:56 EDT

There are many barriers that can interfere with weight loss. For those attending face-to-face weight loss programs, barriers can include travel, conflict with work and home, need for childcare, and loss of anonymity. In a new study investigators continue to explore alternative weight management delivery methods to eliminate some of these barriers. The solution they are investigating -- virtual reality for weight loss and weight maintenance.

Using mobile phone apps in weight-loss programs

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:55:55 EDT

Mobile phones using text messaging and monitoring have been shown to be useful additions to health programs.

Binge eating curbed by deep brain stimulation in animal model

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:17:17 EDT

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a precise region of the brain appears to reduce caloric intake and prompt weight loss in obese animal models, according to a new study.

Tart cherries linked to reduced risk of stroke

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:21:21 EDT

For the millions of Americans at risk for heart disease or diabetes, a diet that includes tart cherries might actually be better than what the doctor ordered, according to new animal research.

Physicians less likely to 'bond' with overweight patients

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:33:33 EDT

In a small study of 39 primary care doctors and 208 of their patients, researchers have found that physicians built much less of an emotional rapport with their overweight and obese patients than with their patients of normal weight.

More evidence berries have health-promoting properties

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:34:34 EDT

Adding more color to your diet in the form of berries is encouraged by many nutrition experts. The protective effect of berries against inflammation has been documented in many studies. Diets supplemented with blueberries and strawberries have also been shown to improve behavior and cognitive functions in stressed young rats.

What really makes us fat? Article questions our understanding of the cause of obesity

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:47:47 EDT

If we are to make any progress in tackling the obesity crisis, we have to look again at what really makes us fat, claims a new article.

Smartphone way to lose weight

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:49:49 EDT

Forget fad diets and hypnotherapy; your smartphone could be a key tool to losing those post-Easter egg pounds, according to scientists.

Stress during gestation causes a predisposition to the development of pathologies in adulthood

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:59:59 EDT

The intrauterine environment plays an important role in the health of the offspring. Now, experts from the affirm that the mother's stress, due to socio-economic or psycho-social causes, is associated with the development of pathologies related with obesity.

'Well-being risks' contribute to decreased productivity

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:09:09 EDT

In addition to health-related risk factors, some non-traditional "well-being risks" can have a significant impact on workers' productivity.

Fatheads: How neurons protect themselves against excess fat

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:33:33 EDT

In a recent study in mice, researchers have pinpointed an enzyme that keeps neurons' fat levels under control, and may be implicated in human neurological diseases.

Marriage can threaten health: Study finds satisfied newlyweds more likely to gain weight

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:04:04 EDT

A study of 169 newlywed couples finds that spouses who are more satisfied with their marriage are more likely to gain weight because they are less likely to consider divorce and thus find a new partner.

Rewarding groups for losing weight more effective than rewarding individuals

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

A multi-institution study has found that tying financial incentives to group weight loss led to significantly greater weight loss than cash awards based on an individual's success in losing weight on his or her own.

Cash for weight loss? Works better when employees compete for pots of money

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Do cash rewards for healthier habits work? Maybe, says a new study, if you add on one more condition -- peer pressure. A growing number of companies are offering employees an opportunity to boost earning power at work via cash incentives to stay healthy. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers will soon be able to offer even larger financial incentives to prod healthy lifestyle behaviors among their workforce, such as quitting smoking and losing weight. But people who are offered money for weight loss may be much more successful when awards are based on a group's performance -- rather than just their own -- according to the new research.

Is guided self-help effective in treating childhood obesity?

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:49:49 EDT

Initial research indicates that a self-help treatment program for overweight children and their parents, guided by clinical experts, may be an effective solution.

Eating more fiber may lower risk of first-time stroke

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:14:14 EDT

Eating more fiber may decrease your risk of first-time stroke, according to new research.

Serious mental illness no barrier to weight loss success

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:48:48 EDT

Through a program that teaches simple nutrition messages and involves both counseling and regular exercise classes, people with serious mental illness can make healthy behavioral changes and achieve significant weight loss.

Explaining how extra virgin olive oil protects against Alzheimer's disease

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:54:54 EDT

The mystery of exactly how consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may lie in one component of olive oil that helps shuttle the abnormal AD proteins out of the brain, scientists are reporting in a new study.

Food memories can help with weight loss

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:30:30 EDT

Psychologists have found that using memories of recent meals reduces the amount of food eaten later on. It also found that being distracted when eating leads to increased consumption.

Coffee, green tea, may help lower stroke risk, research shows

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:01:01 EDT

Green tea and coffee may help lower your risks of having a stroke, especially when both are a regular part of your diet. People who drank either green tea or coffee daily had about approximately 20~30 percent lower risk for one type of stroke, compared to those who seldom drank them.

Less sleep leads to more eating and more weight gain, according to new study

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:11:11 EDT

Sleeping just five hours a night over a workweek and having unlimited access to food caused participants in a new study to gain nearly two pounds of weight.

Money talks when it comes to losing weight

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:29:29 EST

Weight loss study participants who received financial incentives were more likely to stick with a weight loss program and lost more weight than study participants who received no incentives, according to new research.

Eating junk food while pregnant may make your child a junk food addict

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:34:34 EST

A healthy diet during pregnancy is critical to the future health of your children. New research suggests that pregnant mothers who consume junk food cause developmental changes of the opioid signaling pathway in the brains of their unborn children. Consequently, these children are less sensitive to opioids released upon consumption of foods high in fat and sugar, and need to eat more to achieve a "feel good" response.

Ultrasound reveals autism risk at birth, study finds

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:25:25 EST

Low-birth-weight babies with a particular brain abnormality are at greater risk for autism, according to a new study that could provide doctors a signpost for early detection of the still poorly understood disorder.

Disruption of circadian clock linked to obesity, diabetes and heart attacks

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:18:18 EST

Disruption in the body's circadian rhythm can lead not only to obesity, but can also increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. That is the conclusion of the first study to show definitively that insulin activity is controlled by the body's circadian biological clock. The study, helps explain why not only what you eat, but when you eat, matters.

Employees shed pounds in worksite-based weight loss intervention with behavioral counseling

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:35 EST

Workplace-based programs that include dietary advice coupled with behavioral counseling appear to be a promising approach for men and women with significant weight loss goals, based on the results of a pilot study. Employees enrolled in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial lost on average, 18 pounds over a six-month period compared to a two pound weight gain in a control group.

Antioxidants in your diet may not reduce risk of stroke or dementia, study suggests

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:35 EST

Contrary to other research, a new study found that the total level of antioxidants in people’s diets is not related to their risk of developing stroke or dementia. Antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E are found in many foods.

Lack of sleep? Keep away from the buffet

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:47:47 EST

New research shows that sleep-deprived people select greater portion sizes of energy-dense snacks and meals than they do after one night of normal sleep. Poor sleep habits can therefore affect people’s risk of becoming overweight in the long run.

Is there a link between childhood obesity and ADHD, learning disabilities?

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:10:10 EST

A new study has established a possible link between high-fat diets and such childhood brain-based conditions as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory-dependent learning disabilities.

Low-protein diet slows Alzheimer's in mice

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:16:16 EST

Mice with many of the pathologies of Alzheimer's disease showed fewer signs of the disease when given a protein-restricted diet supplemented with specific amino acids every other week for four months.

Food and beverages not likely to make breast-fed babies fussy

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:45:45 EST

Many new moms fear that eating the wrong foods while breast-feeding will make their baby fussy. However, no sound scientific evidence exists to support claims that certain foods or beverages lead to fussiness in infants, according to a registered dietitian.

Southern diet could raise your risk of stroke

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:14:14 EST

Eating lots of Southern cuisine is linked to increased stroke risk. A Southern-style diet includes fried foods, organ meats, sugary drinks and a lot of salt. African-Americans are five times more likely to eat Southern foods, which may help explain their higher stroke risk.

Eat to dream: Study shows dietary nutrients associated with certain sleep patterns

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:35:35 EST

A new study shows for the first time that certain nutrients may play an underlying role in short and long sleep duration and that people who report eating a large variety of foods -- an indicator of an overall healthy diet -- had the healthiest sleep patterns.

Alcohol mixed with diet drinks may increase intoxication more than alcohol and regular drinks

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:25:25 EST

A person's breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) after drinking is influenced by factors such as food. New findings show that mixing alcohol with a diet soft drink can result in a higher BrAC than mixing alcohol with a regular or sugar-sweetened drink. Individuals were unaware of these differences, which may pose safety risks such as drinking and driving.