Health & Medicine / Obesity

#81: Inflammation
 Might Help Defeat Diabetes

Scientists have long tied diabetes to inflammtion—but a new study shows that an inflammatory protein can cure the disease in mice. 01.05.2012

A New Suspect in the Obesity Epidemic: Our Brains

The urge to eat too much is wired into our heads, in several complicated and overlapping ways. Tackling obesity may require bypassing the stomach and short-circuiting our brains. 08.23.2011

The Trillions of Microbes That Call Us Home—and Help Keep Us Healthy

The human body is a habitat for a huge range of harmless and beneficial microbes, which may be the key to fighting disease without antibiotics. 
 07.13.2011

The 100 Top Science Stories of 2010

Every year DISCOVER sorts through the scientific accomplishments of the past 12 months, and assembles a list of the coolest experiments, most brilliant discoveries, and most world-changing events. As you page through the countdown to the #1 science story, we think you'll come to the same conclusion we did: 2010 was quite a year. 12.16.2010

Child's Plague: Inside the Boom in Childhood Diabetes

A decade ago juvenile diabetes was rare. A controversial new theory may reveal what causes the disease—and how to keep the incidence from going still higher. 11.08.2010

Fish Oil Is No Snake Oil

The new wonder food seems to be good for two of your most important parts: your heart and brain. 02.23.2010

#53: The Fat That Can Make You Thin

Babies use brown fat to burn calories and keep warm. Now researchers discover that adults have some of the special tissue, as well. 12.30.2009

Vital Signs: A Gland Failure

When adrenal functions go out of whack, the mind and body respond in startling ways. 03.29.2009

The Best and Worst of the Latest Science News

Endangered humpback whales may be saved, but Navy sonar can still cause them problems. 01.18.2009

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Fat

Body fat can kill you, keep you warm, or power your boat. 01.05.2009

#61: A New Drug Delivers “Fitness” Without the Workout

Take a pill and simulate the effects of exercise. 12.10.2008

3 Diseases We May Be Able to Blame on Our Ancient Ancestors

Obesity, lactose intolerance, and high blood pressure may all be traceable to hunter-gatherer survival. 11.27.2008

Whodunnit: TV or Fast Food or Genes?

When it comes to obesity, no one explanation tells the whole story. 06.03.2008

Introducing the Absolute Scale of Food Healthfulness

A ban of junk-food advertising relies on a new measure of nutrition. 01.25.2008

Further Proof: Exercising Is More Important Than Dieting

The treadmill and General Mills can both be your best friends. 01.14.2008

Big Boned: How Your Skeleton Can Make You Fat

Bones help fix themselves by controlling the body's metabolism. 11.23.2007

The Fat Virus

Millions of people are carrying a fat-related virus. But would their knowing make any difference? 11.14.2007

The Fat Virus

Millions of people are carrying a fat-related virus. But would their knowing make any difference? 11.14.2007

Inside the Strange World of Sleep Eaters

Open wide for buttered cigarettes, Brillo pads, and lots of gooey junk food. 08.02.2007

Exercise Gene

Exercise activates a gene that turns rats into fat-burning machines. 06.25.2007

Exercise Gene

Exercise activates a gene that turns rats into fat-burning machines. 06.25.2007

Health FAQs: Diet and Genetics

If protein, fat, and carbs are bad, what do you eat? 06.06.2007

The Open Secret to Successful Dieting

No short-cuts involved, just straight-up arithmetic 06.06.2007

Fat Is Not the Enemy

A low-fat diet won't necessarily make you thinner... or healthier. 05.11.2007

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Obesity

Money for getting squashed in your airplane seat, our country's fattest state, the Monster Thickburger, and more. 07.24.2006

Fat Belly Genes

Blame your genes when you can't fit your jeans. 06.13.2006

Fat Gene Found

Frustrated dieters finally have hard evidence. 04.24.2006

Vital Signs: Why Does Her Belly Hurt?

Complications from surgery provide an important lesson for ER doctors 03.10.2006

Vital Signs

Benign but irritating skin eruptions signal much more serious internal troubles 11.22.2005

Gaining Pounds, Losing Years

Obesity can shorten your life. 03.17.2005

What Does Science Say You Should Eat?

Most diets aren't realistic or advisable, including the U.S. agriculture department's famous food pyramid. Instead, a Harvard scientist recommends a new way of eating based on the world's largest and longest food study. 02.05.2004

Neuroscience

01.02.2004

The Greatest Unanswered Questions of Medical Science

Where the money and brainpower will go in the next decade 12.03.2003

The Chemistry of . . . Fat Substitutes

The Next Generation of fake fats has arrived, but does anyone want them? 03.01.2001

Fat Genes

He's already proved you wrong. 05.01.2000

Vital Signs

An insidious--and often undiagnosed--sleep disorder robs a woman of her ability to take in oxygen 05.01.2000

Lethal Snoring

07.01.1999

Why We Get Fat

The good news is recent research indicates fat might not be your fault. The bad news is you might not be able to do much about it 04.01.1999