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December 28, 2023
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Weight-loss drugs, food addiction, the problem with BMI: 10 stories on obesity

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According to a recent study, more than half of the United States population eligible for semaglutide could lose at least 15% of their body weight after treatment with the medication.

Researchers estimated that the medication could also prevent about 1.5 million CVD events over a decade if given to all eligible patients in the U.S. It was one of Healio’s top stories on obesity in 2023.

person standing on scale
Among the top obesity stories this year were on limitations of BMI as a measurement for overweight and obesity and recommendations for physicians who are prescribing anti-obesity medications. Image Source: Adobe Stock.

Other popular stories include an editorial about the limitations of BMI as a measurement for overweight and obesity, recommendations for physicians who are prescribing anti-obesity medications and emerging research on the concept of food addiction.

Read these and more of Healio’s obesity coverage from 2023 below:

Semaglutide could nearly halve obesity prevalence in US

Researchers estimated that semaglutide could cut the obesity prevalence in the United States by about 46% and prevent more than 1.5 million CVD events over 10 years when given to eligible patients with overweight or obesity. Read more.

'Just one number': The problem with BMI

Although BMI has long been used in clinical practice, many have recently questioned its effectiveness as a standalone measure for obesity. Read more.

New anti-obesity medications: With great power comes great responsibility

Highly effective new anti-obesity medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have led to a sea change in expectations for the treatment of obesity, giving new hope to individuals who have struggled with excess weight for years. Read more.

Weight loss in older healthy adults associated with increased mortality risk

Weight loss of 5% or greater was associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality among older healthy adults, particularly men, highlighting the importance of monitoring these patients for weight changes, according to researchers. Read more.

Food addiction: 'An area of ongoing scientific investigation'

Addiction to highly processed foods can lead to adverse health outcomes, but little is understood about why some patients show a higher propensity for these foods and how to manage the condition in a primary care setting. Read more.

AMA: Use other measures in addition to BMI when diagnosing obesity

The AMA House of Delegates adopted a policy encouraging physicians to use BMI in conjunction with other valid measures when assessing patients for overweight or obesity. Read more.

Presenting weight loss in a positive way linked to greater treatment uptake

Weight loss presented as a positive opportunity by physicians was associated with greater uptake of treatment and weight loss, a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found. Read more.

Q&A: Gastroparesis from Ozempic, Wegovy 'uncommon'

Recent reports in the media and legal action have raised questions about the safety of popular weight-loss drugs, particularly about whether they increase the risk for events such as gastroparesis and gastroenteritis. Read more.

Q&A: In patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, OMA advocates to ‘treat obesity first’

The Obesity Medicine Association published a new clinical practice statement encouraging clinicians to prioritize the treatment of obesity in patients who also have type 2 diabetes mellitus without acute illness. Read more.

A look at intermittent fasting: A potential strategy for patients with obesity

In the quest for practical strategies for treating obesity, intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular and potentially transformative approach. Read more.