Browse the evidence

Overall US adult obesity prevalence increased significantly from 2011 to 2018, with non-Hispanic Black individuals showing the highest prevalence but leveling off trends.

Overall obesity rates in the US are rising. To maintain health, focus on sustainable lifestyle changes such as balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, regardless of broader demographic trends.

Smoking cessation increases the short-term risk of type 2 diabetes, but this risk is directly proportional to post-cessation weight gain and does not mitigate the long-term reduction in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Quitting smoking is the single most important step for longevity, regardless of what happens to your weight. While you might gain weight and see a temporary spike in diabetes risk (especially if you gain >10kg), the reduction in your risk of dying from heart disease or other causes is massive and sustained. Do not let the fear of weight gain prevent you from quitting.

Chronic treatment with GDF15 promotes greater weight loss and reduces NAFLD compared to caloric restriction alone by maintaining energy expenditure and preventing adaptive thermogenesis in skeletal muscle.

This research suggests that GDF15 therapy could help overcome the metabolic slowdown (adaptive thermogenesis) that typically halts weight loss during dieting. By maintaining energy expenditure, particularly through fatty acid oxidation in muscle, GDF15 allows for greater fat loss than dieting alone. This is relevant for individuals who hit weight loss plateaus despite strict caloric restriction.

GDF15 maintains energy expenditure and promotes weight loss through a GFRAL-dependent signaling axis that activates beta-adrenergic receptors in skeletal muscle, increasing fatty acid oxidation and calcium futile cycling.

The weight loss benefits of GDF15 rely on a specific biological pathway involving the GFRAL receptor and beta-adrenergic signaling in muscles. If this pathway is blocked or missing, the energy expenditure benefits are lost.

The algebraic definition of Energy Availability (EA) has evolved to improve accuracy, with the current standard calculating EA relative to Lean Body Mass (LBM) rather than Total Body Mass (BM), subtracting non-exercise energy expenditure from gross exercise expenditure.

Use the current EA formula: (Energy Intake - Exercise Energy Expenditure) / Lean Body Mass. This is more accurate than using total body weight or gross exercise expenditure.

Higher body mass index (BMI), body weight, and waist circumference are inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

If you have a higher body weight or BMI, you may find your cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) is lower. This is a common physiological relationship. Addressing body weight through diet and activity can significantly improve your fitness levels, which in turn reduces your risk for chronic diseases.

The exact energy cost of skeletal muscle hypertrophy is unknown, and common textbook estimates based solely on tissue composition are likely inaccurate because they ignore the metabolic costs of synthesis, exercise, and adaptive thermogenesis.

Do not rely on textbook calculations for the exact energy cost of muscle gain. These estimates are likely inaccurate. Instead, use a conservative surplus (1,500-2,000 kJ/day) and adjust based on your progress. Individual responses vary greatly due to genetics and metabolic adaptations.

Bariatric/metabolic surgery (BMS) is the most effective strategy for significant and sustained body weight reduction (14-25%) and reduces the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and mortality, but remains underused.

For extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities), bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment, producing 14-25% weight loss and significantly reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and death. Despite its effectiveness, it is underused. If lifestyle and medication fail, discuss surgery with your doctor as a viable, life-saving option.

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for obesity in terms of mortality reduction and comorbidity resolution, but it is restricted to higher BMI classes and not suitable for all patients.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity, significantly reducing mortality and type 2 diabetes risk, but it is generally reserved for patients with Class II or III obesity (BMI ≥ 35 or ≥ 40) and is not suitable for everyone due to surgical risks and access issues.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes, producing superior long-term weight loss and remission rates compared to lifestyle or pharmacologic interventions.

If you have severe obesity or type 2 diabetes, consider metabolic surgery. It is the most effective treatment for long-term weight loss and diabetes remission, far surpassing lifestyle changes or medications alone.

The prevalence of obesity among primary care patients increased from 39.2% in 2017 to 40.7% in 2019.

Healthcare providers should be aware of the rising obesity rates among their patients.

Aerobic exercise at 8 KKW did not induce weight change, and there was no significant change in any component of energy expenditure.

Lower intensity aerobic exercise may not be sufficient for weight loss or changes in energy expenditure.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects more than 25% of adults worldwide.

Healthcare providers should be aware of the high prevalence of NAFLD in adult populations.

The majority of patients with NAFLD are unaware of their condition.

Awareness and screening for NAFLD should be prioritized in clinical practice.

From 2015 to 2019, the percentage of T2D patients treated with a GLP-1 RA increased from 3.2% to 10.7%.

Healthcare providers should be aware of the increasing adoption of GLP-1 RAs among T2D patients.

Lower rates of GLP-1 RA use were found among Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients with T2D.

Efforts should be made to address the disparities in GLP-1 RA access among racial and ethnic minorities.

There is no consensus definition of sarcopenia despite its evolving criteria.

Practitioners should be aware of the lack of consensus in defining sarcopenia when diagnosing and treating patients.

Overall relative search volume (RSV) for 'Ozempic' grew exponentially in the United States between March 2018 and February 2023.

Practitioners should be aware of the increasing public interest in Ozempic for weight loss.

Statistically significant differences in search popularity were found between 'Ozempic', 'Wegovy', and 'Mounjaro' from December 2021 to February 2023.

Surgeons should consider the varying popularity of these medications in their practice.

Fifty-two articles corresponding to five registries were included in the review.

This indicates a comprehensive analysis of existing data on weight loss maintenance.

In 2018, the mean global intake per person of unprocessed red meat was 51 g/day, with 17 countries having mean intakes of at least one serving (100 g) per day.

Practitioners should be aware of the significant global consumption of unprocessed red meat and target interventions accordingly.

Between 1990 and 2018, global intakes of unprocessed red meat, eggs, milk, processed meat, seafood, and cheese increased.

This trend indicates a growing consumption of certain animal-source foods, which may have implications for public health and nutrition policies.

There is a need for the development of highly efficacious and safe new agents for obesity treatment.

Healthcare providers should advocate for and support the development of new obesity treatments.

The food industry in the United States generated nearly $900 billion in sales in 2000.

Understanding the scale of the food industry can inform marketing strategies.