February 12, 2019 — Will ultra-processed food kill you? Probably not, but two new studies provide some real evidence for caution about this dietary boogeyman. First, a large observational study in France finds a 14 percent higher risk of death in a people who eat more of the stuff. And then, an RCT from NIH shows that ultra-processed foods […]
December 27, 2018 — How safe is a drug for type 2 diabetes that causes weight gain? This question pops up as we read a big new study of outcomes with second line drugs for type 2 diabetes. That’s because two types of drugs that cause weight gain – basal insulin and sulfonylureas – had a clear link to bad […]
September 13, 2018 — CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics have published new statistics on the prevalence of obesity and overweight. We already knew that obesity rates in 2016 were still rising. But with these additional statistics, we see signs of a subtle shift in trends. Less Progression to Overweight Since the 1980s, we’ve seen a rather […]
April 26, 2018 — It’s one of those deeply entrenched beliefs. Having a baby can be a trigger for weight gain that’s seemingly impossible to shed. But it begs a question. Does having children increase the risk of obesity for a woman? A new study published in Obesity this week suggests that the answer is no. No Association Between […]
April 23, 2018 — You’ve probably heard that dieting can wreck your metabolism. It’s a simple way to explain repeated cycles of losing and regaining weight. But it’s a pretty poor explanation for the complexity of metabolic adaptation. A new study in Obesity asks us to consider an alternate view. Calorie Restriction or Overfeeding? It’s true enough that when […]
January 11, 2018 — We shouldn’t be surprised. In this season, both hucksters and health reporters are burying us in false promises about weight and health. The advertisements for dietary supplements are annoying enough. We keep our finger on the mute button. And we can filter tabloid headlines about Kerry Katona’s protein injections out of our news feed. But […]
December 21, 2017 — It’s a fact. Around the time of winter holidays, people tend to gain weight. And when it comes to pop nutrition advice, you can find just about anything you want to hear on the subject of holiday weight gain. Holiday Food Patterns The pattern is clear enough. Lisa Jahns and colleagues actually documented it in […]
August 28, 2017 — It’s official as of Friday. Liraglutide (Victoza) is not only for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. FDA now says it also effectively prevents heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. This new information applies to people taking it for diabetes who also have heart disease. A Dramatic, Ongoing Shift in Diabetes Care This news represents […]
July 30, 2017 — Seven to nine hours of sleep per night might significantly improve health and reduce obesity risk. A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that people who sleep only six hours per night have a waist that’s three centimeters bigger than people who get nine hours. With better sleep, the odds of diabetes drop as […]
July 22, 2017 — Nutrition has more than its share of hot button issues. But low-calorie sweeteners stir especially strong feelings and sensational headlines. This week, the Washington Post warns us that “diet drinks are associated with weight gain.” Reader’s Digest tells us to avoid them “at all costs.” America’s president figured this out years ago. I have never […]
