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Top stories in endocrinology: Factors that influence childhood obesity risk, hyperthyroidism treatments may hasten weight increases

Among the top stories in endocrinology last week were a study that provided common characteristics in children with obesity, and a study that suggested adults with hyperthyroidism who received treatments for the condition may have an increased risk for obesity

Other highlights included research that determined consuming saturated fatty acids increased liver fat, a study that found a plant-based diet improved insulin sensitivity in adults with obesity and findings that indicated rising levels of serum uric acid can amplify the odds of stroke and all-cause death in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Parental education levels, BMI influence childhood obesity risk

Children with obesity are more likely to be boys, be physically inactive and have parents with some combination of elevated BMI and lower levels of education, according to findings published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. Read more.

Hyperthyroidism treatments may accelerate increases in weight

Obesity was shown to be more likely to develop in a cohort of adults with hyperthyroidism who received treatment for the condition vs. a background population, with radioiodine therapy applications playing a large role in this trend, according to findings published in Thyroid. Read more.

Consuming saturated fatty acids promotes liver fat accumulation

Adults with overweight or obesity assigned to an 8-week diet that included muffins made with palm oil experienced an increase in liver fat and circulating ceramides that was not observed in similar adults who ate muffins with sunflower oil during the same period, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Read more.

Plant-based diet improves beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity in obesity

Adults with overweight or obesity assigned to a vegan diet for 16 weeks experienced improvements in beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity vs. similar adults assigned to a control diet. Read more.

Serum uric acid presents cardiovascular, mortality dangers in type 2 diabetes

Rising levels of serum uric acid can amplify the odds of stroke and all-cause death in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to findings from a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. Read more.