obesity

December 20, 2018

Study uses IT to prevent early childhood obesity

A research team led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Russell Rothman, MD, MPP, has been approved for a $7 million research funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to conduct a randomized, multi-center trial comparing clinic and consumer information technology approaches to promote healthy behaviors and prevent early childhood obesity.

By Paul Govern
December 13, 2018

Lean vs. obese adipose tissue cells

A greater understanding of the mechanisms and cell types involved in returning adipose (fatty) tissue to the lean state may lead to more effective treatments for obesity.

By Bill Snyder
September 13, 2018

Research reveals link between immunity, diabetes

When it comes to diet-induced obesity, your immune system is not always your friend.

By Bill Snyder
August 9, 2018

Study finds behavioral changes insufficient at preventing early childhood obesity

Young children and their families in poor communities were able to make some achievable and sustainable behavioral changes during the longest and largest obesity prevention intervention ever conducted. But, in the end, the results were insufficient to prevent early childhood obesity.

By Craig Boerner
June 7, 2018

Enzyme protects against obesity-related heart disease

Vanderbilt scientists have discovered that a certain enzyme plays a crucial role in preventing obesity-related cardiac dysfunction.

By Sanjay Mishra
March 23, 2018

Voluntary exercise and energy balance

Non-exercise physical activity has a measurable energy expenditure, which goes down when animals engage in voluntary exercise, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 8, 2018

Study explores best pre-transplant weight loss options

Vanderbilt researchers are comparing two types of weight-loss options to determine which is the most effective in helping obese patients reach a more ideal weight before undergoing kidney transplant surgery.
By Jill Clendening
December 21, 2017

Obesity interventions: ideal dose?

The optimal “dose” for behavioral interventions to treat childhood obesity are not clear, Vanderbilt researchers concluded after analyzing 133 clinical trial that occurred over the course of 17 years.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 15, 2017

Inhibiting obesity

An enzyme in the gut – NAPE-PLD – is required for the action of signaling molecules that reduce food intake and weight gain.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 16, 2017

VUMC joins cutting-edge obesity research network

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is one of four centers receiving a $15 million, four-year research award from the American Heart Association (AHA) to provide cutting-edge research on obesity as part of its sixth Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN).
By Craig Boerner
January 24, 2017

Saliva test for obesity risk

“Epigenetic signatures” in DNA may present an opportunity for prevention of or early intervention in childhood obesity.
By Bill Snyder
September 29, 2016

BMI genotype and breast cancer risk

For breast cancer prevention, a new study provides evidence for lifestyle modification to reduce weight gain in adults.
By Paul Govern
August 29, 2016

Nervous system’s role in hypertension

Increased activity of the “fight or flight” nervous system contributes to obesity-associated hypertension and may be a good therapeutic target for the disease.
By Leigh MacMillan