Latest

weight gain

·September 16, 2019·4 min read

Teen girl ‘night owls’ may be more likely to gain weight

Teenage girls who experience inadequate sleep have an increased risk of obesity than their peers who prefer to sleep early. Interventions aimed at improving sleep schedules could be useful preventative tools for curbing obesity in teenagers.

This shows a woman next to a bowl of salad measuring her tummy

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 28, 2019·3 min read

The role of a single molecule in obesity

A molecule called 27HC directly affects white adipose tissue and increases body fat, even if you eat a healthy diet.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2019·5 min read

Ack! I need chocolate! The science of PMS food cravings

From comfort eating to hormonal levels contributing to a desire for sweets, many studies have investigated why women with PMS often crave certain foods. Researchers explore why food cravings may occur, and what can be done to suppress them for women with premenstrual syndrome.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 11, 2019·5 min read

Sleeping with artificial light at night associated with weight gain in women

Exposure to artificial light while sleeping is associated with weight gain and an increased risk of obesity in women. Compared to those who slept without artificial light, those who slept with television or light on were 17% more likely to have an 11 pound or more increase in weight.

This shows a weighing scale, a tape measure and an apple

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 2, 2019·3 min read

New brain mechanisms regulating body weight identified: Rodent study

Interleukin-6 interacts with leptin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus to reduce food intake. Reducing IL-6 in the IPBL increases weight gain and could help explain why some are more prone to overeating and obesity.

This shows neurons in the central amygdala

Featured Neuroscience

·April 25, 2019·4 min read

Comfort food leads to more weight gain during stress

A combination of chronic stress and high-calorie diets raised insulin levels tenfold in the amygdala of mice. Prolonged high levels of insulin in the central amygdala resulted in neurons becoming desensitized to insulin. The desensitized neurons boosted NPY levels, which promoted eating and reduced the normal homeostasis response to burn calories. The findings may shed light on why some indulge in high-calorie foods when stressed, and why this may lead to obesity.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 26, 2018·6 min read

How Sleep May Contribute to Adverse Weight Gain

Researchers report just one night of sleep loss can have a tissue specific impact on metabolism and the regulation of gene expression. The study could explain why those who suffer chronic sleep loss or work shifts are at greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 14, 2018·3 min read

Fat Consumption is the Only Cause of Weight Gain

Researchers say dietary fats, not sugars or proteins, are the only cause of weight gain.

Featured Psychology

·June 12, 2018·5 min read

Binging, Purging and Fasting More Common in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

A new study reports overweight and obese young adults are almost twice as likely than their peers of lower weight to binge, purge and embark on other behaviors associated with eating disorders. Researchers found Asian/Pacific islanders and sexual minorities were also at higher risk of developing eating disorders.

Image shows gut bacteria on a petri dish.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 12, 2017·5 min read

Body Clock and Gut Microbiota Work Together to Pack on Pounds

A new Science study sheds light on how the gut microbiota interacts with circadian rhythm to impact metabolism. Researchers say the finding could help explain why those who work night shifts have higher rates of metabolic diseases.

Image shows scales, an apple and tape measure.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 8, 2017·5 min read

Later Circadian Timing of Food Intake Is Associated with Increased Body Mass Index

According to researchers, those who eat in close proximity to their natural melatonin onset are more likely to have a higher percentage of body fat and BMI than those who eat earlier.