All articles tagged with #obesity epidemic
The rise of cheaper, replica weight-loss drugs has challenged major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, leading to legal and regulatory actions to curb the production of compounded versions that pose health risks, while also highlighting issues of drug affordability and access for patients.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting a $200 million Nutrition for Precision Health study involving 500 participants living in government laboratories to identify how different people respond to various diets, aiming to provide personalized nutritional guidance and clearer recommendations for the US public amid the obesity epidemic. Participants will spend two weeks on three different diets, undergo medical tests, and provide samples. The study hopes to build a nutritional database of 1 million people, provide individualized health prevention strategies, and develop personalized diet advice based on genetics, culture, and environment.
Novo Nordisk's stock is forming a fresh base after a study showed that its weight-loss drug, Wegovy, reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study, called Select, demonstrated that patients who received Wegovy were 73% less likely to develop diabetes and experienced a 28% reduction in the risk of heart attacks. This could help Novo Nordisk gain approval and insurance coverage for Wegovy in a broader population of patients. The company also tested the drug in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, showing early effectiveness. Novo Nordisk's stock has a nearly perfect IBD Digital Composite Rating of 98.
The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has increased significantly, with approximately 20% of children now living with obesity. As a result, doctors are considering more aggressive treatments, such as bariatric surgery, for teenagers struggling with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery has shown promising results in weight loss and improving obesity-related health issues in adolescents. However, critics argue that these interventions may be too aggressive and could potentially lead to eating disorders. The debate continues on how far doctors should go to treat childhood obesity and the long-term effects of these interventions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic are not a 'silver bullet' for addressing the world's obesity epidemic. The slimming jabs have flown off shelves in recent years as many doctors see them as a magic bullet to fight America's obesity crisis, but fears are increasing about the growing list of side effects. Drugs for obesity are important but must be 'part of a comprehensive approach,' Mr Branca said. 'This is not a silver bullet.' The WHO is revising guidelines for treating children and adolescents with obesity, and will then update recommendations for adults.