The study, presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the profound impact of weight-loss surgery on patients’ self-esteem. Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center found that within one year of undergoing bariatric surgery, participants experienced a staggering 131% increase in their self-esteem scores.

The study involved a database of 5,749 patients aged 18 and older with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more who had undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019. The participants completed the Impact of Weight Quality of Life (iwQOL) survey before and 12 months after their operation to assess weight stigma and quality of life.

The results showed that self-esteem scores rose from an average of 33.6 to 77.5, a more than 40-point increase on a scale from 0 to 100. The study also found that the amount of weight loss was directly correlated with the increase in self-esteem, regardless of demographics such as gender, age, and race or type of bariatric procedure.

Justin Dhyani, MD, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding weight stigma and psychosocial factors associated with obesity. “While these factors should not dictate the decision to have bariatric surgery, they should be an important part of the conversation,” he said.

Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, FASMBS, President of ASMBS, added that weight stigma is a serious issue that places an extra psychological burden on patients struggling with obesity. “This study shows we need to understand what patients are going through and be supportive and empowering of them as they navigate their health and make decisions about treatment,” she said.

The findings of this study have significant implications for the holistic care of patients with obesity, highlighting the importance of addressing weight stigma and psychosocial factors in conjunction with medical treatment. By providing supportive and empowering care, healthcare professionals can help patients achieve a better quality of life and overcome the challenges associated with obesity.

Research has discovered that men who carry a common genetic variant are twice as likely to develop dementia in their lifetime compared to women. This groundbreaking study, published in Neurology, used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial to investigate whether people with variants in the haemochromatosis (HFE) gene might be at increased risk of dementia.

One in three people carry one copy of the H63D variant, while one in 36 carry two copies. Having just one copy of this gene variant does not impact someone’s health or increase their risk of dementia. However, having two copies of the variant more than doubled the risk of dementia in men, but not women.

The researchers emphasize that the genetic variant itself cannot be changed, but the brain pathways affected by it could potentially be treated if we understood more about it. Further research is needed to investigate why this genetic variant increased the risk of dementia for males but not females.

The findings suggest that perhaps testing for the HFE gene could be offered to men more broadly, considering its routine testing in most Western countries, including Australia, when assessing people for haemochromatosis – a disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron. The study found no direct link between iron levels in the blood and increased dementia risk in affected men.

This points to other mechanisms at play, possibly involving the increased risk of brain injury from inflammation and cell damage in the body. Understanding why men with the double H63D variant are at higher risk could pave the way for more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment.

The ASPREE trial was a groundbreaking study that created a treasure trove of healthy ageing data, which has underpinned a wealth of research studies. This collaboration between Curtin University, Monash University, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and Fiona Stanley Hospital demonstrates the importance of diverse Australian research groups working together to improve health outcomes for people around the world.

The implications of this study are significant, considering that more than 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia, with around a third of those being men. This discovery could lead to improved outcomes for people at risk of developing dementia and ultimately contribute to a better understanding of these progressive diseases.

The American Stroke Association has published research that highlights the significant role of nontraditional risk factors in unexplained strokes among young adults. According to a study published in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal, adults under 50 years old have more than double the risk of having a stroke from migraine or other nontraditional stroke risk factors compared to traditional risks such as high blood pressure.

Previous research indicates that the rate of ischemic (clot-caused) strokes among adults aged 18-49 is increasing, propelled by a corresponding rise in cryptogenic strokes (strokes of unknown cause) in adults without traditional risk factors. Up to half of all ischemic strokes in younger adults are of unknown causes and more common in women.

Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 European adults aged 18-49, with a median age of 41 years. Half of the participants had experienced a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, while half had no history of stroke. The study examined the associations of 12 traditional risk factors, 10 nontraditional risk factors, and five risk factors specific to women.

The analysis found that:

* Non-traditional risk factors contributed significantly to unexplained strokes in younger adults.
* Migraine headaches emerged as one of the leading risk factors for stroke development in this age group.
* The study’s results should inform healthcare professionals to develop a more tailored approach to risk factor assessment and management.

Lead study author Jukka Putaala emphasized the importance of careful and routine assessment of both traditional and nontraditional risk factors in younger people, as well as screening after they have had a stroke to prevent future strokes. American Heart Association chair Tracy E. Madsen noted that recognizing specific risks that affect women and those not commonly seen could change our approach to screening for these risks and educating patients throughout their lives.

The study’s limitations include being an observational study, which means it was a review and analysis of existing health data on patients enrolled in another trial or database, and the reliance on patient-reported risk factors. The findings may not be applicable to other populations due to the predominantly white European participant pool.

Overall, this research highlights the critical need for healthcare professionals to consider nontraditional risk factors, especially migraine headaches, when assessing stroke risk in younger adults, particularly women.