“Food Insecure” Appalachians More Likely To Be Obese, Diabetic, Study Finds
Members of rural Appalachian households who lack access to food or experience hunger are more likely to be obese and have diabetes, according to an Ohio University study.Researcher David Holben found that subjects from households with greater levels of what medical, nutrition and dietetic professionals call "food insecurity" had a greater body mass index (BMI) than those with smaller levels of food insecurity (an average BMI of 30.3 vs. average BMI of 29). [click link for full article]

Study Comparison Of Gastric Bypass And Gastric Banding Surgeries In Obese Patients
Extremely obese patients who undergo gastric bypass procedures may have fewer complications, a greater reduction in obesity-related diseases, more weight loss and a higher level of satisfaction than those who have gastric banding procedures, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. [click link for full article]

A Matter Of Fat: Ghrelin Hormone Promotes Storage Of Energy As Fat
The hormone ghrelin is produced at high levels in the stomach when we are hungry and at decreased levels after meals. As such, this hormone plays a critical role in signaling the brain when we are hungry or full and has become an important focus of obesity research. [click link for full article]

Shift In Heart Disease Treatment Needed
As the obesity epidemic grows in the United States, the medical community is faced with the significant challenge of properly treating patients before complications such as heart disease arise. But, as obesity expert Louis Aronne, MD, explained, ongoing research into the endocannabinoid (EC) system shows promise in combating obesity and the associated cardiometabolic risks. [click link for full article]

US states underestimate obesity problem (Reuters)
Reuters - The obesity problem in individual U.S. states appears much greater than official health surveys have indicated, according to a new study.