Fever During Pregnancy, Diabetes and Obesity May Raise Autism Risk

5/11 - Having a fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, or being obese
while pregnant appears to be associated with a heightened risk of autism
or developmental delays in children. (Additional coverage: WebMD)
(HealthDay News)

Fat Stigma: How Online News May Worsen the Problem of Obesity

5/12 - New research published in the Journal of Health Communication
suggests that online news outlets most commonly use negative images of
overweight people to illustrate stories about obesity, which in turn may
perpetuate fat stigma and contribute to obesity rates. (Additional
coverage: Seattle Times)

Immigrants Eat American Junk Food to Fit In: Study

5/6 - A new study published in Psychological Science found immigrants to
the United States tend to choose high-calorie, fatty foods in an attempt
to appear more "American." As a result, immigrants approach U.S. levels
of obesity within 15 years of moving to the U.S. (HealthDay News)

Obesity Counseling Not Affected by Physician Sex

5/9 - Obese patients who see a physician of a different sex are just as
likely to receive weight-related counseling as patients who see a
physician of the same sex, according to new research published in the
American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Researchers found, however,
that male physicians are more likely to counsel obese men regarding
weight loss than female physicians are to counsel obese women. 

Weight-Loss Surgery Seems No Riskier for Seniors

5/9 - Seniors who undergo weight-loss surgery do not experience worse
side effects than their younger counterparts, according to new research
presented at Digestive Diseases Week. Contrary to previous findings,
researchers found age did not seem to be a significant predictor for
mortality or major adverse events, but it did predict a longer hospital
stay. (Additional Coverage: Los Angeles Times; WedMD

Gastric Bypass Weight-Loss Surgery Even Better for Heart Health in Teens than Adults, Study Finds

5/9 - Stanford University researchers suggest that teens who have
gastric bypass surgery may experience greater heart health benefits than
adults. Although weight loss in both groups was about the same, teens
showed a greater improvement in a variety of cardiovascular risk
factors, including diabetes status, blood pressure and cholesterol
levels. (Additional Coverage: HealthDay News)


Source:(Los Angeles Times) 

Gastric Bypass Weight-Loss Surgery Increases Risk of Alcoholism, Study Says

5/9 - Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery may have double the
risk of developing alcoholism compared with other banding procedures,
including the Lap-Band. Researchers explained that the bypass procedure
creates a smaller stomach pouch and bypasses part of the intestines,
restricting the body's ability to digest alcohol before it reaches the
intestine. (Additional Coverage: HealthDay News; CBS News)


Source:LA Times