The article highlights a disturbing trend in the United States – cancer deaths linked to obesity have tripled over the past two decades. A study presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco examined more than 33,000 deaths from obesity-associated cancers and revealed sharp increases in cancer deaths, particularly among women, older adults, Native Americans, and Black Americans.

“Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple cancers, contributing to significant mortality,” said lead researcher Faizan Ahmed. “This research underscores the need for targeted public health strategies such as early screening and improved access to care, especially in high-risk rural and underserved areas.”

The study used mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to analyze U.S. deaths from obesity-associated cancers between 1999 and 2020. The results showed age-adjusted mortality rates increased from 3.73 to 13.52 per million over two decades, with steep increases among certain groups.

Obesity is a complex disease resulting from multiple genetic, physiological, hormonal, environmental, and developmental factors. It raises the risk of developing serious chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic and end-stage kidney disease.

In addition to certain types of cancer, obesity is associated with a higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer, according to the CDC. These cancers make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.

The regions with the highest rates of obesity-related cancer deaths were identified as follows:

* The Midwest had the highest rate.
* Vermont, Minnesota, and Oklahoma had the highest state-level rates.
* Utah, Alabama, and Virginia had the lowest state-level rates.

This research emphasizes the need for targeted public health strategies to combat the growing epidemic of obesity-related cancer deaths. Early screening and improved access to care are crucial in reducing mortality rates among high-risk groups.

In recent years, the anti-obesity medication semaglutide has gained popularity for its ability to melt fat effectively. However, a small study presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco, highlights a concerning side effect of this medication – the potential quiet stripping away of muscle strength, particularly among women and older adults.

Losing muscle mass, also known as lean mass, is a common issue associated with weight loss in adults with obesity. This can have negative consequences on metabolism and bone health. Muscle plays an essential role in controlling blood sugar levels after meals and keeping bones strong. Approximately 40% of the weight lost from taking semaglutide comes from lean mass, including muscle.

The researchers conducted a three-month study involving 40 adults with obesity, divided into two groups: those prescribed semaglutide and those following a diet and lifestyle program called Healthy Habits for Life (HHL). The results showed that participants who took semaglutide lost more weight than those in the HHL group. However, the percentage of weight loss attributed to lean mass was similar between the two groups.

Further analysis revealed that being older, female, or consuming less protein was linked to greater muscle loss among participants taking semaglutide. Moreover, losing more muscle was associated with less improvement in blood sugar control (HbA1c levels).

Study lead researcher Melanie Haines emphasized the importance of preserving muscle during weight loss with semaglutide to reduce insulin resistance and prevent frailty in people with obesity. She also highlighted that higher protein intake may help mitigate muscle loss in these patients.

In conclusion, while semaglutide is an effective medication for weight loss, it’s essential to be aware of its potential side effects, particularly among vulnerable populations like women and older adults. By understanding the importance of preserving muscle mass during weight loss and incorporating higher protein intake into their diet, individuals can maximize the benefits of this medication and achieve a healthier, more sustainable weight loss outcome.

The study, presented at ENDO 2025 in San Francisco, California, compared three dietary interventions for managing type 2 diabetes with obesity. Researchers found that intermittent energy restriction (IER), also known as fasting twice a week, showed greater advantages in reducing blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and lowering triglycerides.

For the study, 90 patients were randomly assigned to either IER, time-restricted eating (TRE), or continuous energy restriction (CER) for 16 weeks. While there were no significant differences in HbA1c reduction and weight loss between the three groups, the IER group experienced a greater absolute decrease in blood sugar levels and body weight.

The study’s lead researcher, Haohao Zhang, Ph.D., highlighted the importance of this research, stating that it fills a gap in directly comparing 5:2 intermittent energy restriction with a 10-hour time-restricted eating. The findings provide scientific evidence for clinicians to choose appropriate dietary strategies when treating patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, the IER group had the highest adherence rate at 85%, followed by the CER group at 84% and the TRE group at 78%. This suggests that fasting twice a week may be more feasible and effective for people managing type 2 diabetes.

The study’s results have significant implications for the management of type 2 diabetes, particularly in relation to dietary interventions. As researchers continue to explore the benefits and limitations of different diets, healthcare professionals can rely on evidence-based information to guide their recommendations.