Browse the evidence

Loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding POMC, MC3R, and MC4R can lead to early-onset obesity and developmental dysregulation.

Understanding these mutations can inform treatment strategies for obesity.

Obesity alone did not emerge as a robust predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Obesity should not be solely relied upon as a risk factor in cardiovascular assessments.

Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers are currently serving as a temporary funding mechanism for nutrition-related programs.

Understanding the temporary nature of current funding can inform program planning.

Approximately 83.0% of patients in both treatment groups receive TSH testing within a 1-year follow-up.

Practitioners should note that a high percentage of older adults on levothyroxine are monitored for TSH after initiating GLP-1 RAs.

TSH testing patterns did not differ between GLP-1 RAs and SGLT-2is.

Clinicians can expect similar TSH monitoring practices regardless of whether patients are on GLP-1 RAs or SGLT-2is.

The mean time to TSH testing was approximately 130.5 days for both groups.

Practitioners should be aware that TSH testing occurs on average about 130 days after treatment initiation.

Future research should standardize economic evaluation methods in SET studies for better comparison across diverse interventions, settings, and populations.

Researchers should aim for consistent evaluation methods to enhance the validity of findings in SET studies.

There is significant societal attention on the issues of overweight and obesity.

Practitioners should be aware of the societal context when addressing obesity in patients.

Few diabetes prevention program (DPP) studies investigate why these interventions work.

Practitioners should be aware that the mechanisms behind DPP effectiveness are not well understood.

There is no compelling evidence to support any specific mechanism, mediator, or moderator (MMM) in DPPs.

Practitioners should consider that current evidence does not support specific mechanisms in DPPs.

Patients had lower energy and protein intake from oral food intake following the implementation of the tailored nutrition protocol.

Practitioners should be aware that increased enteral feeding may lead to reduced oral intake.

No significant associations with cognitive function were found for physical activity or adiposity.

Physical activity and adiposity may not be effective targets for improving cognitive function in this population.

Replacing ultra-processed foods with minimally processed foods leads to significant weight loss and reduced energy intake even when macronutrients and calories are matched.

Stop eating ultra-processed foods. The paper shows that even if you eat the same number of calories, UPFs make you eat more because they are hyper-palatable. Switch to minimally processed foods to naturally reduce calorie intake and lose weight.

Lifestyle modification, specifically weight loss of >5-10% and regular physical activity, is a cornerstone for improving liver fat and cardiovascular health in MASLD.

Aim for at least 5% weight loss and 150 minutes of exercise per week. This reduces liver fat. Losing 7-10% or more can further reduce inflammation and fibrosis. This is the foundation of MASLD treatment.

Lifestyle interventions, including dietary management (DASH/SDR, Low-Energy Diet) and exercise training, improve clinical outcomes in obese HFpEF patients.

Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a DASH or low-energy diet and regular exercise training. These interventions are the cornerstone of HFpEF management and can reduce hospital readmissions and improve exercise capacity.

Combining aerobic and resistance exercise yields the best results for weight loss maintenance and metabolic health, with resistance training independently lowering obesity risk.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (like brisk walking) per week, plus 2-3 sessions of resistance training focusing on major muscle groups. For better weight loss maintenance, aim for 200-300 minutes of moderate exercise. Tailor the type of exercise to your preferences and physical limitations to ensure sustainability.

Moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (150-420 min/week) produces dose-dependent weight loss (2-7.5 kg), and 200-300 min/week is recommended for weight maintenance, largely by preserving fat-free mass and energy expenditure.

To lose 2-7.5 kg, aim for 150-420 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. For maintaining weight loss, target 200-300 minutes per week. This helps preserve muscle and energy expenditure, making long-term success more likely.

Weight loss, achieved through lifestyle changes, medications, or bariatric surgery, is associated with significant improvements in OSA severity, with a 20% BMI reduction leading to an average 57% decrease in AHI.

Losing weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce OSA severity. If you lose 20% of your body weight, your sleep apnea severity (AHI) can decrease by an average of 57%. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes, medications like tirzepatide, or bariatric surgery, and offers cardiovascular benefits that PAP alone may not provide.

Fasting interventions significantly reduce liver health biomarkers (ALT and liver stiffness) in individuals with MASLD compared to control diets.

For those with MASLD, structured fasting approaches (like Alternate Day Fasting, 5:2 diets, or Time-Restricted Eating) have been shown in meta-analyses to significantly lower liver enzymes (ALT) and reduce liver stiffness compared to control diets. These benefits are linked to improvements in insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. Most effective studies lasted 3 months, so long-term sustainability needs more research, but the short-term liver health gains are robust.

Sustained, non-surgical, non-pharmacological weight loss from overweight (BMI ≥25) to healthy weight (BMI <25) during midlife (ages 40-50) is associated with a significantly decreased risk of incident chronic diseases (excluding type 2 diabetes) and all-cause mortality compared to persistent overweight.

If you are in midlife (40s-50s) and currently overweight, achieving and maintaining a healthy BMI (under 25) through lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) significantly lowers your risk of developing chronic diseases and dying prematurely compared to staying overweight. This benefit is independent of diabetes risk and does not require surgery or medication. The key is sustainability; the health benefits accrue over decades.

Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) and Appendicular Lean Soft Tissue (ALST) are critical protective factors against frailty, diabetes, and mortality, and their loss (sarcopenia) is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes.

Prioritize resistance training to build and maintain muscle mass, especially as you age. Muscle is not just for aesthetics; it is your primary organ for glucose disposal and metabolic health. If you are losing weight, ensure you are doing resistance training and consuming adequate protein to prevent muscle loss, which can lead to frailty and weight regain.

Weight loss of at least 10% of total body weight reverses steatohepatitis and improves histologic fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

To reverse liver inflammation and scarring, you need to lose at least 10% of your body weight. While losing just 3-5% helps reduce liver fat, it is not enough to fix the underlying disease. Focus on sustainable dietary changes and regular exercise to reach this higher threshold.

In patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), achieving a baseline Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher is a significant independent predictor of achieving clinically relevant weight loss (≥7% of initial body weight) through lifestyle interventions.

If you have MASLD and a BMI of 30 or higher, you are statistically more likely to achieve significant weight loss through lifestyle changes than someone with a lower BMI. This is likely due to higher energy expenditure at rest. Use this advantage by committing to the lifestyle changes early, as your body is primed to respond to caloric deficits more robustly than those with lower baseline weights.

Achieving a 5% weight loss over one year results in substantial direct medical cost savings for people with obesity, with savings increasing alongside higher obesity severity.

You do not need to achieve massive weight loss to see financial benefits. Losing just 5% of your body weight within a year can lead to substantial savings in direct medical costs, with the greatest savings seen in those with higher obesity severity (Class II and III). Focus on achieving this modest, sustainable reduction.