Obesity, blood glucose tied to enlarged prostate (Reuters)
Reuters - BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia, is a common condition in older men, but the risk of developing the condition seems to be increased by obesity and high blood sugar levels, researchers report.

Obesity Levels In US Are Grossly Underestimated
The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. states has been greatly underestimated. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) analyzed data from health surveys, which are used to estimate obesity levels in states. Because people tend to provide incorrect information about their weight and height, especially in telephone surveys, the researchers concluded that estimates of obesity in individual states have been too low, by more than 50%. [click link for full article]

Eat Less, Weigh More? Enzyme Makes Lean Mice “susceptible” To Dietary Fat
Working with genetically engineered mice, Johns Hopkins scientists have interfered with the brain's ability to control an animal's response to a high-fat diet. The report, to be published in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences online in May, is based on the identification of a gene - CPT1c - the brain needs to manage body weight.According to the researchers, the CPT1c gene protects against weight gain caused by a high-fat diet. [click link for full article]

Metabolic Syndrome Significantly Boosts Risk Of Heart Failure In Middle Age
Metabolic syndrome significantly boosts the chances of heart failure in middle age, suggests research published ahead of print in Heart. Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, unfavourable blood fat levels, and diabetes. The researchers base their findings on regular monitoring of more than 2,300 men who were aged 50 between 1970 and 1974 and who were tracked until the age of 70. [click link for full article]

MCP-1: The Missing Link Between Obesity And Insulin Resistance
Individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome often have excessive fatty tissue in and around their abdomen, high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and an inability to utilize insulin or blood sugar (insulin resistance) - symptoms that put them at high risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. The molecular mechanisms that link obesity and insulin resistance are the subject of intense investigation and are not completely understood. [click link for full article]