obesity Archives

Unravelling the links between substance use and binge-like eating disorders

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The researchers explore the role of brain reward systems in eating disorders and substance use disorders.

Binge eating disorder (BED) and substance use disorders (SUD) are characterised by maladaptive responses in the reward system of the brain. Dr Mary C Olmstead at Queen’s University, Canada, and Dr Katia Befort, University of Strasbourg, France, are using rodent models to explore how a part of the reward system, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), affects the two conditions. They hope […]

Obesity and inflammation: A recipe for depression in women

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Dr Pasco and team are unmasking a link between metabolically unhealthy obesity and depression.

A team led by Dr Julie Pasco, Professor of Epidemiology at Deakin University and Barwon Health, Australia, analysed data from the longitudinal Geelong Osteoporosis Study over 16 years. The researchers discovered that metabolically unhealthy obesity, defined by low-grade inflammation in combination with obesity, puts women at higher risk of developing depression. These novel findings highlight inflammation as both a key […]

Co-existence of hepatosteatosis and skeletal muscle fat infiltration

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Accumulation of fat in the liver (hepatosteatosis) and muscle (myosteatosis) affects normal physiological functioning, leading to poorer health outcomes. But what is the concurrence of these two conditions in the general population, and are there common underlying mechanisms? Professor Julie Pasco and colleagues at Deakin University and Barwon Health in Australia investigate these metabolic alterations in a population-based study providing […]

Is the magic in the muscle? Targeting skeletal muscle to improve cardiometabolic function in ageing

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The Butcher Lab investigates the interplay of muscle mass and skeletal muscle on cardiovascular disease, obesity and ageing.

Dr Joshua T Butcher and his team from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, USA, investigate the similarities between the co-morbidities associated with obesity and ageing, and specifically how skeletal muscle mass and function can be used to uncouple diseases from accompanying pathology. While we all know that exercise is beneficial for weight loss, an important underlying benefit […]

Effect of β-glucan from oats and barley on weight loss and adiposity

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Rebecca Mathews and her collaborators review key studies on the effect of β-glucan on weight loss, BMI and obesity.

Obesity is a growing public health concern, but studies suggest that soluble fibre from certain cereal whole grains can help weight management. Specifically, the cell wall carbohydrate β-glucan found in oats and barley may impact body weight, body mass index (BMI), and adipose tissue. Rebecca Mathews and her collaborators in the US conducted a thorough review of key studies demonstrating […]

Blood–brain communication: Essential for regulation of autonomic nervous system and optimal health?

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Professor Alastair V Ferguson researches blood–brain communication and s has focused on understanding how our brain controls many critical variables – including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure and electrolytes to maintain optimal body function and avoid issues with hypertension or obesity.

Professor Alastair V Ferguson leads an interdisciplinary neuroscience research group at Queens University in Canada, studying the central nervous system with a specific focus on understanding changes in brain function associated with hypertension and obesity. More specifically, the group’s recent studies have focused on understanding how our brain controls many critical variables – including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure and electrolytes […]

Reconciling forest and tree conservation with food security

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Forests and trees are a critical resource for human communities. However, conservation efforts to prevent biodiversity loss increasingly conflict with the rights and access of communities using forests for their livelihoods and crucially to meet their nutritional needs. Prof Terry Sunderland of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, has long pointed to the importance of forests in contributing to food […]

The role of IL-33 in preventing metabolic disease

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Dr Amal Hasan is based at the Dasman Diabetes Institute, State of Kuwait. Her work looks at the mechanics behind the relationship between obesity and metabolic disease. In particular, Dr Hasan’s research has shed light on the involvement of a molecule called IL-33 in metabolic disease. IL-33 and its interactions with another molecule, ST2, may play a role in metabolic […]