Duration of overweight linked to cancer risk
The length of time that a woman spends of her adulthood as overweight or obese is directly linked to the development of a range of cancers. Up until now many studies that have looked at the associated risk between cancer and obesity have been cross-sectional, meaning that multiple measurements over a period of time haven’t been analysed. This study examined the BMI measurements of around 74,000 women and its association with cancer risk. They also took into account other compounding factors such as physical activity, diet, smoking and medications.
They found that for every 10 years that a person spent as overweight their risk of developing all obesity related cancers increased by 7%, a 5% increase in breast cancer risk and a 17% increase in the risk of endometrial cancer. The authors are keen to show that the health care teams should recognise that cancer prevention should be a part of obesity management. This study focused solely on women and the results for a similar study in men would be interesting.
Read MoreBrains of obese people show premature ageing
A study performed at the University of Cambridge has found that the brains of obese individuals display the differences seen in lean individuals that are 10 years their senior. Brains are known to shrink with age and these changes are found in the white matter part of the brain. This study analysed cross-sectional data from 473 individuals and found that the white matter of obese individuals was different to that of a lean person of the same age, but the same of that of a lean person 10 years older.
The researchers only noticed this difference in middle-aged and older individuals, suggesting that our brains are more vulnerable during this period of time. Dr Lisa Ronan, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University, explained that we are still unsure what the specific mechanisms involved are. However, the team further mentioned that the combination of the ageing population as well as the rise of obesity meant that this issue will be very important in the coming years and that they are hoping to continue this work in the future.
Read MoreObesity rates differ amongst elementary school groups
A study conducted in Southeastern Texas has found that the obesity trajectory rates amongst elementary school children differ with gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The researchers set out to examine whether there were distinct BMI trajectory groups, and if they could develop predictors for these groups. 1,651 school children were involved in the study, and data was collected biannually from when the children were 5 to when they were 11 years old.
The researchers found that boys, Hispanic and non-hispanic black children were at a much higher risk of becoming overweight or obese during their time at elementary school. Highlighting a possible need for focused obesity treatment. Furthermore, it was found that post-kindergarten and the summer months were when most children transitioned to becoming overweight or obese. The authors of the study are hoping to continue this work and identify which particular diet and lifestyle factors are largely responsible for the varying group trajectories so that more of an effort can be made in preventing overweight and obesity from developing.
Read MoreNew drug treatment for rare genetic disease
A new drug has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a rare genetic disease that leads to obesity. In a paper published in NEJM, Setmelanotide was shown to induce weight loss and reduce appetite in patients with Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency. This extremely rare disorder, which leads to early-onset obesity and a high appetite, is caused by a defect in the MCR4 gene, and is thought to only affect 100-500 people worldwide.
Although only 2 patients were included in this trial, due to the disorders rarity, the researchers were excited by their response to setmelanotide as it highlights the importance of the MCR4 gene in weight regulation. The lead author, Dr Peter Kühnen, explains that if the continued use of the drug carries on being effective, then it could be administered in the treatment of other genetic disorders associated with obesity.
Read MoreReward centres of obese women act differently to those of normal weight
A new study has shown that the parts of the brain that control feelings of reward continue to respond after severely obese women are already full. The brains of 15 obese women were compared with the brains of 15 lean women. It was found that activity in certain parts of the brain were increased in both groups before a meal, whilst they were hungry, however after the meal these centres continued to respond in the obese women. Whilst the appeal of pictures of food dropped by 15% for lean women, the obese women only had a 4% drop, further to this the reward centres in the obese women’s brains maintained activation.
The authors of the study described the obese women as having ‘an instinctive drive to keep eating’. These findings may help to explain why some obese people report underlying and irresistible drives to continue eating, despite the fact that they are no longer hungry. This also highlights some of the more difficult factors to address when attempting to treat obesity in a handful of the population.
Read MoreTake part in Sheffield Hallam University’s physical activity and Pokémon Go™ survey
On the 14th July 2016, Pokémon Go™ was released in the UK. The App relates to the animated game Pokémon™, that allows users to capture different characters and complete challenges. It is made explicit to the user when downloading the App that they will need to be physically active to engage with the game.
Researchers from the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University are studying whether the Pokémon Go™ App has increased physical activity in the last 7 days.
The research team are recruiting people aged 18 years and older from across the world to complete an online survey. If you would like to complete the survey or for more information, please follow the link below:
https://shusls.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4Git5qVSH4ZA1al
Read MoreOnline behavioural counselling effective at sustaining weight loss
Behavioural counselling has been used as a treatment option for obesity, alongside diet and lifestyle changes. However, previous studies have suggested that intensive counselling and support is needed for it to be effective. A new online weight reduction programme called Positive Online Weight Reduction (POWeR)+ has been proven to be highly effective at weight loss and weight loss maintenance, these results have been published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Professor Paul Little, the developer of the programme, explained that it not only helped people lose weight, but it enabled them to manage their weight going forward.
The programme itself involves brief online contacts from a nurse that teaches self-regulation and cognitive behavioural techniques, providing long-term solutions to weight loss. The study itself included 818 people over 30 who were participating in the course for over 6 months. The researchers explain that online interventions that are effective have the ability to save the NHS money by reducing the amount of time and funding given to face-to-face contact.
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