Latest news with #EuropeanCongressonObesity
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Shirley Ballas shares two-ingredient dinner she eats to stay slim
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has shared her thoughts on dieting while speaking on a podcast, revealing that she only eats once a day and follows a very simple meal plan Strictly Come Dancing's head honcho, Shirley Ballas, 64, has revealed her strict and much-debated diet plan to maintain her svelte figure. The 'Queen of Latin' dancer and TV star believes that after turning 60, it's 'impossible' to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, so she sticks to just one meal a day. During her chat with Grace Dent on the Comfort Eating podcast, Shirley explained her simple daily dinner: chicken flavoured with lemon. She mentioned that she usually forgoes any extra spices: "Just lemon chicken and then I cut it. But it's a hot chicken that has just been baked and that's what I have on Strictly. I have that every year, every week." On occasion, she'll add some rice to the mix. "I do intermittent fasting," she confessed. "I don't have anything in the morning and normally around lunch I'll have a juice, and then about 4 or 5pm my mother does a lovely meal.", reports Surrey Live. What is intermittent fasting? Popular amongst celebs such as Jennifer Aniston and Carol Vorderman, intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern where you switch between eating and fasting periods. A study released this month indicates that fasting at specific times during the day for three months may be a solid approach for sustained weight management. Experts have discovered that overweight or obese individuals who limited their eating to an eight-hour "window" each day managed to lose weight and maintain the loss. The fresh research was unveiled at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga. The study's lead author, Dr Alba Camacho-Cardenosa from the University of Granada in Spain, stated: "Our study found that restricting the eating window to eight hours at any time of the day for three months can result in significant weight loss for at least a year. These benefits can be attributed to the 16-hour fasting window rather than the time of eating." A previous randomised controlled trial by the same team, published in Nature Medicine, revealed that limiting eating to eight hours per day reduced body weight and enhanced cardiometabolic health. Their most recent study examined the long-term effects over 12 months on 99 participants. They were divided into four groups for 12 weeks – eating within a 12-hour or longer window; limiting eating to an eight-hour window starting before 10am; limiting eating to an eight-hour window starting after 1pm; and allowing individuals to choose their own eight-hour window. All groups received advice on following a Mediterranean diet to promote healthier eating habits. The researchers recorded body weight, waist and hip measurements at the beginning of the trial, after the 12-week plan, and again 12 months later. The research discovered that while those consuming food over a 12-hour period or longer shed an average of 1.4kg, the groups with restricted eating times lost more, approximately 3kg to 4kg. Shirley's daily treat is quite simple, consisting of "one cup of coffee, in a china cup,' with 'a teaspoon of brandy, Coffee Mate and two brown sugars. That is the highlight of my day." She also occasionally enjoys a small slice of cake. As reported by the Daily Mail, Shirley has also dabbled with the controversial 'plant paradox' diet which limits certain vegetables. This diet advises against eating lectins – carbohydrate-binding proteins found in legumes like beans, lentils or chickpeas. However, detractors argue that restricting foods rich in lectin could lead to nutrient deficiencies, as these foods are packed with fibre, vitamins, and essential minerals. The Mayo Clinic emphasises that grains and legumes are 'a powerhouse of nutrients'. Both she and fellow Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse aim to get their five-a-day through juicing, with Shirley having two per day. She also takes part in an annual juice retreat, as revealed by the Daily Mail, named Juicy Oasis Portugal, where guests survive solely on juices for seven days. Since celebrating her 40th birthday, Shirley has been mindful of her diet, as reported by The Sun. Her rigorous approach to diet and exercise drew attention after she shed nearly 5kg in just one week in 2023. Additionally, she revealed to the Daily Mail that she commits to a yearly weight-loss regimen ahead of the show's premiere. Shirley has spoken candidly about the biting comments she's faced throughout her illustrious dancing career and their impact on her self-image: 'I've constantly had people tell me I needed to be thinner or that I had to look a certain way. Comments throughout my life have always stuck with me and in the past, they've made me feel conscious of how I look. Sadly I thought that validation from others was necessary. '. However, she has since learned to focus on self-validation. "I'm proud of myself and pleased with how I look. I feel good in my own skin. ".
The Star
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
First five years key to preventing obesity in kids
Help your kid stay in the healthy weight range during their first five years of life to optimise their chances of not becoming overweight or obese as they grow up. — dpa The first five years of a child's life are crucial when it comes to preventing obesity in the future, according to researchers. Experts in the Netherlands found that body mass index (BMI) at age six is a better predictor of obesity in later life than at other points of childhood. They suggest the first years of life are a 'fantastic opportunity to intervene' and give youngsters a 'chance at a happy, healthy' future. The researchers used data from an ongoing study known as Generation R to track the BMI of thousands of children in the Netherlands at ages two, six, 10, 14 and 18. Of the 3,528 youngsters, some 32.3% were considered overweight or obese at age two, 22.3% at age six, 24.7% at age 10, and 20.6% at age 14. Many of these children were still classed as overweight or obese at age 18. The researchers found every one unit increase in BMI at age six more than doubled a child's odds of being overweight or obese at 18. They also suggest that if a child with a higher BMI reached a healthy weight by the age of six, they were no longer at risk. Presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity held in Malaga, Spain, on May 11-14 (2025), Erasmus MC PhD candidate and medical student Jasmin de Groot said: 'We need to understand how children grow and develop if we are to help future generations grow up healthier and give every child a chance at a happy, healthy life. 'Our research assists with this by showing that a child with overweight or obesity isn't destined to live with overweight or obesity as a young adult, and that the first five years of a child's life provide a fantastic opportunity to intervene and prevent them experiencing overweight and obesity in the years to come.' – PA Media/dpa
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Weight-loss jab Mounjaro helps people shed much more weight than rival
Weight-loss jab Mounjaro – dubbed the 'King Kong' of similar medicines – helps people shed significantly more weight than rival Wegovy, new research suggests. Key research pitching the drugs against each other found Mounjaro was superior when it came to shedding pounds and losing inches, though both drugs worked. Experts presented their findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga and published them in the New England Journal of Medicine. Both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are weight-loss medicines that make people feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry. The new randomised controlled trial involved 751 adult with obesity, but without type 2 diabetes. They received either Mounjaro at the maximum tolerated dose (10mg or 15mg) or Wegovy (1.7mg or 2.4mg) once a week for 72 weeks. The typical age of the people was 45 and most (65%) were female, with a typical body mass index (BMI) of 39. All had at least one known obesity-related complication, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnoea or heart disease. The typical drop in body weight at the end of the trial was a 20.2% reduction with Mounjaro and 13.7% with Wegovy, showing Mounjaro was superior. The drop in waist circumference was also 18.4cm on average with Mounjaro and 13cm with Wegovy. People on Mounjaro were more likely to reach their weight loss goals. One limitation to the study was that people knew which drug they were taking, though the researchers said the findings were in line with previous studies. The research was sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Mounjaro. Our study shows that treatment with tirzepatide was superior to semaglutide with respect to reduction in body weight and waist circumference Dr Louis Aronne, from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, who led the work, said the dual action of Mounjaro may explain the findings. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy mimic a hormone produced in the body called GLP-1 – a substance that is released in the gut when people consume food. This hormone slows the rate at which food is emptied from the stomach, reduces appetite via the brain and works on insulin levels. But Mounjaro also mimics another hormone known as GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). Dr Aronne said: 'Our study shows that treatment with tirzepatide was superior to semaglutide with respect to reduction in body weight and waist circumference. 'Tirzepatide, while a single molecule, pharmacologically activates two metabolic receptors, GIP and GLP-1, which have both overlapping and non-overlapping expression and function. 'This dual agonism of tirzepatide may contribute to the higher weight reduction observed in the current study compared to semaglutide, a mono-agonist.' As people lost weight in the study, health factors such as blood pressure and unhealthy blood fats all improved. Speaking at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain on Sunday, Dr Aronne said: 'This is actually the first head-to-head trial of two obesity medications, so I think we're going to start seeing more of these as new medications become available. 'I saw a list the other day of 150 medications… that are now in development, so many people now realise how important it is to manage body weight in addition to other metabolic factors. 'I've called it the golden age of obesity treatment. It took a long time!' Dr Aronne said semaglutide still remained an 'extremely effective' weight loss medication and that the trial did not intended to minimise its effects. He added: 'For example, if you have a patient with a BMI of 32, which is class one obesity, they could get to a BMI in the mid 20s, right around 25 (with semaglutide), which is normal. 'So the majority of people with obesity will do just fine on semaglutide. People at the higher end – class two, class three obesity – may ultimately do better with tirzepatide.'
The Star
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
This combination raises breast cancer risk for women
When you have your first child and how much weight you put on during adulthood (if any) have an impact on your risk of developing breast cancer. — dpa Women who put on weight and have a baby later in life may be significantly more likely to develop breast cancer, new research suggests. Experts in Britain discovered that a big weight gain after the age of 20, plus having a first child after 30 or not having children at all, meant women were almost three times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who gave birth earlier and whose weight remained stable. The research, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented at the European Congress on Obesity held in Malaga, Spain, on May 11 to 14 (2025). Lead researcher and University of Manchester research associate Lee Malcomson said that more women in Britain are now overweight or obese than around a decade ago, while giving birth later in life has been steadily increasing over the past 50 years. At the same time, diagnoses of breast cancer in women are at their highest ever rate, he said. He added: 'More information about how age of motherhood and weight gain affect the risk of breast cancer would allow us to better work out who is most at risk of the disease and target lifestyle advice accordingly.' For the study, Malcomson and his colleagues analysed data on 48,417 women, typically aged 57, whose body mass index (BMI) was in the overweight range, i.e. around 26.3. The women were split into whether they had their first pregnancy early (before the age of 30), late (30 and over) or had not given birth. Their weight gain in adulthood was also looked at. This weight gain was calculated by asking women to recall their weight at the age of 20 and subtracting it from their current weight. The women were followed up for an average of 6.4 years, during which 1,702 were diagnosed with breast cancer. The study results suggested that women with an early first pregnancy had greater weight gain during adulthood than those with a late first pregnancy, with 0.21kg of extra weight gain for each year earlier the pregnancy occurred. An early first pregnancy also seemed to protect against post-menopausal breast cancer, which confirms previous research, while weight gain pushed up the risks, which has also been found before. However, the study found no evidence that having a first pregnancy at an early age managed to offset the increased risk of breast cancer caused by weight gain. Overall, women who had over a 30% increase in weight during adulthood and either had their first child after age 30 or did not have children, were nearly three times more likely (2.73 times) to develop breast cancer compared with women who had an early first pregnancy and less than a 5% increase in adult weight. Malcomson said: 'Our study is the first to establish how weight gain and age of first birth interact to affect a woman's risk of breast cancer. 'It is vital that GPs (general practitioners) are aware that the combination of gaining a significant amount of weight and having a late first birth – or, indeed, not having children – greatly increases a woman's risk of the disease.' – PA Media/dpa
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight-loss medications may also benefit common medical problem, study finds
Weight-loss medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which have gained popularity for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, have been shown to have the surprising secondary benefit of reducing alcohol intake. A team of international researchers from Ireland and Saudi Arabia followed 262 adult patients with obesity who started taking two GLP-1 medications: liraglutide or semaglutide. Among the regular drinkers, weekly alcohol intake decreased by 68%, from approximately 23 units of alcohol to around 8 units. Weight Loss, Diabetes Drugs Can Cause Mood Changes: What To Know About Behavioral Side Effects The findings were recently published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and were also presented last week at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain. GLP-1 agonists mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which is released from the gastrointestinal system after eating, according to study co-author Carel Le Roux, a professor at University College Dublin. Read On The Fox News App These medications activate GLP-1 receptors in the brain, decreasing the sense of "reward" people feel after eating or drinking, eventually leading to reduced cravings for both food and alcohol, he told Fox News Digital. "It is this commonality of function that suggests the GLP-1 receptors in the brain may be a therapeutic target for not just the disease of obesity, but also for alcohol use disorder," the professor said. Before the participants started the weight-loss drugs, they self-reported their weekly alcohol intake, then were categorized as non-drinkers, rare drinkers or regular drinkers. Approximately 72% had at least two follow-up visits and 68% reported regular alcohol consumption. Weight-loss Drugs' Impact On Cancer Risk Revealed In New Study After starting the weight-loss medications, the participants' weekly average alcohol intake decreased by almost two-thirds overall — from approximately 11 units of alcohol to four units after four months of treatment with the GLP-1 agonists. The reduction in alcohol use was comparable to the decrease that can be achieved by nalmefene, a drug that decreases the "buzz" feeling in people with alcohol use disorder in Europe, according to the researchers. For the 188 patients who were followed over an average of four months, none had increased their alcohol intake after starting the weight-loss medications. Patients reported that after an evening meal, they were too full to have their usual drink — and when they did drink, they reported becoming full extremely quickly and drinking at a slower pace, Le Roux noted. This suggests that the experience was less enjoyable, partly due to the reduced rate of alcohol absorption. Some patients also reported that they didn't enjoy the flavor of the alcoholic beverages as much, and also that hangovers were much worse. All of these experiences showed that the weight-loss medications create "guard rails" that prevent most patients from drinking excessively, giving them a degree of control over their alcohol intake, according to Le Roux. "The findings in this study suggest that we may have just found a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder — the GLP-1 receptor," the professor told Fox News Digital. "This finding potentially opens the possibility of an entirely new pharmacological treatment paradigm, which could be used in conjunction with conventional methods, such as behavior therapy and group support." The study was limited by its relatively small number of patients, the researchers acknowledged. Also, the researchers were not able to verify the participants' self-reported alcohol intake, and roughly one-third of them were not available for follow-up. Semaglutide Found To Have Shocking Benefit For Liver Disease Patients In New Study There was also no control group, which means the researchers couldn't prove that taking weight-loss medication reduces alcohol intake. "Randomized, controlled trials with diverse patient populations — including patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder — are needed to provide the quality and quantity of data that could be used to support an application for licensing the medication for the treatment of alcohol use disorder," Le Roux said. (One such trial is currently underway in Denmark.) With the current medications available to treat alcohol use disorder, the "major problem" is compliance, Le Roux said — "because the cravings for alcohol tend to come in waves." "This means a patient might be fully committed to treatment at one point in the week, but then stop taking the medication later in the week when a craving comes," the professor added. There are currently three FDA-approved medications to treat alcohol use disorder: naltrexone (which helps decrease cravings by reducing the "buzz" feeling that comes with drinking alcohol); disulfiram (which helps some people avoid alcohol by making them feel sick when they drink), and acamprosate (which restores the balance of hormones in the brain to reduce cravings), according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter But less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder get the proper treatment, with many resuming use within the first year of treatment, past research shows. The main advantage of the GLP-1 agonists is that they only need to be taken once a week and continue to work for the entire week. Outside experts say the study's findings highlight the potential of weight-loss medications to help treat alcohol use disorder. "This research suggests a promising ancillary benefit of GLP-1 analogs, potentially influencing cravings for alcohol and offering a new avenue for managing alcohol use disorder," Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who was not part of the study, told Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit "While the exact mechanisms are still being explored, the findings contribute to our understanding of the broader benefits of GLP-1 analogs beyond obesity treatment," Stanford article source: Weight-loss medications may also benefit common medical problem, study finds
