The 2019 European Congress on Obesity was the busiest yet and the science presented at the congress enjoyed tremendous news coverage. Here is a selection of English language press coverage from some of the scientific research shared at the congress:
ECO Media Report
Download the PowerPoint presentation media report.
WHO guidelines physical activity and sleep
BBC – No sedentary screen time for babies, WHO says
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48021224
The Telegraph – Limit screen time to an hour a day for under 5s with none at all for under 2s, WHO says
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/24/limit-screen-time-hour-day-5s-none-2s-says/
Daily Mail – Babies and toddlers should spend NO time looking at screens and under-fives be limited to one hour a day, World Health Organisation tells parents
Underestimating child weight status
PA news wire story – Parent fail to admit kids are overweight, as seen in:
The Canberra Times, 7news.co.au:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6093274/parents-fail-to-admit-kids-are-overweight/?cs=14232
https://7news.com.au/news/health/parents-fail-to-admit-kids-are-overweight-c-81915
PA news wire story – ‘He’s just big boned’: GPs, parents fail to admit kids are overweight, as seen in:
The Sydney Morning Herald:
AP newswire story – Parents ‘in denial’ about overweight children, as seen in:
Yahoo news:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/parents-in-denial-about-overweight-children-053650983.html
The Observer – Half of all parents fail to spot child obesity, new study says
The Guardian – Half of all parents ‘fail to spot’ child obesity
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/28/half-of-all-parents-fail-to-spot-child-obesity
The Sunday Telegraph – Parents in denial over children’s obesity
The Telegraph – More than half of parents underestimate how overweight their children are, research suggests
Daily Mail – Parents are ‘in denial’ over childhood obesity with over 54% underestimating how overweight their boys and girls are
Sun – FACE THE FATS Parents a fat lot of good in obesity crisis as more than half think their children are slimmer than they really are
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8955577/parents-obesity-overweight-half-cant-tell/
Healthday – For Kids, Obesity and Mental Health Woes Often Go Hand-in-Hand
Express – Child obesity: Parents turn a blind eye to their children’s weight
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1120031/obesity-children-parents-ignore-weight-overweight
Radio 4 – Woman’s Hour
The Age – Doctors underestimate obese patients’ weight loss attempts: study
Stuff.co.nz –Most doctors believe people with obesity don’t want to lose weight
Sydney Morning Herald – Doctors underestimate obese patients’ weight loss attempts: study
US News and World Report – How Much Does Your Kid Weigh? Chances Are, You’re Underestimating
OnMedica – Study reveals parents and doctors failing to spot child obesity
https://www.onmedica.com/newsarticle.aspx?id=dfe70b7b-c8bb-41bd-ae9c-289f90a21c51
Commuting
ITV news – Obese people with active commute could cut risk of early death, study suggests
The Sunday Times – Cycling to work could save your life, obese commuters told
The Telegraph – Being inactive could be more dangerous for the health than being obese, study suggests
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/28/inactive-could-dangerous-health-obese-study-suggests/
Medical Xpress – Being a car commuter with obesity linked to a 32% increased death risk
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-car-commuter-obesity-linked-death.html
ANI news – Obese people with active commute could cut risk of early death
Medscape – Cycling to Work Could Cut Obesity-Related Mortality
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/912266
Hindustan Times – Obese people with active commute could cut risk of early death
Lastly.com (Washington DC) – Obese People With Active Commute Can Lead to Longer Life, Says Study
Doctor NDTV – Obese People Can Cut Risk Of Early Death By Doing This
Forbes – Commuting By Car Is Killing You So Cycle Instead, Suggests Massive New Obesity Study
US News and World Report – For Obese People, Commuting by Car Can Be a Killer: Study
Independent – People with ‘active commute’ have the same life expectancy regardless of weight, according to new research
Obesity and emotional problems develop together
BBC – Obesity and depression ‘hand-in-hand’ in children
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48067478
The Scotsman – Obesity linked to emotional problems
https://www.scotsman.com/health/obesity-linked-to-emotional-problems-1-4916340
Science Daily – Obesity and emotional problems appear to develop together from age 7
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190427201943.htm
Timesnownews – Childhood obesity and depression: How are they linked? Tips to help your child maintain a healthy weight
Yahoo style UK – Researchers have uncovered a link between childhood obesity and mental health problems
Medical News Today – Obesity may put young people at risk of anxiety, depression
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325070.php
BMI NOVO study
PA newswire story – Obesity increases serious disease risk, as seen in:
The Australian
BBC – Obesity: Study of 2.8 million shows increased disease and death risks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48088391
The Mirror (front page) – Over 18 million Brits in ‘fat danger zone’ and twice as likely to get diabetes
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/over-18-million-brits-fat-14923297
The Times – Obesity raises the risk of early death by up to 50%
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/obesity-raises-the-risk-of-early-death-by-up-to-50-t5srnhnr2
ITV – Obesity significantly increases risk of serious disease and early death, warn researchers
Independent – Obesity rates could be worse than thought as patients have not had BMi recorded, study finds
Mail Online – Proof obesity kills: Study of 2.8m Britons shows it can raise the risk of an early death by 50% – and being even slightly overweight is also deadly
i news – Each pound of extra fat increases risk of disease and early death
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/obesity-fat-risk-early-death-disease-study
The Guardian – Severely obese people in middle age 50% more likely to die early, study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/29/monday-briefing-dangers-of-obesity-laid-bare
Sky news – Severe obesity increases risk of early death by 50%, study finds
https://news.sky.com/story/severe-obesity-increases-risk-of-early-death-by-50-study-finds-11706738
The Sun – OBESITY DEATH RISK Being overweight or obese could increase risk of an early death by up to 50 PER CENT, says study
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8959881/overweight-obese-early-death-risk/
Metro – There’s a very good chance that you’re in the ‘fat danger zone
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/29/good-chance-fat-danger-zone-9333716/
Republika.co.id (Indonesia)
Heilpraxisnet.de (Germany)
Medi Bulletin – Higher body mass index means greater risk of disease, death
https://medibulletin.com/higher-body-mass-index-means-greater-risk-of-disease-death/
The Daily Star – Bottle feeding babies makes them 22% more likely to be OBESE
GEL PILL
PA newswire story – Capsules that expand in stomach could help with weight loss, as seen in:
Yahoo news
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/capsules-expand-stomach-could-help-060553719.html
Telegraph – Slimming pill offers hope for millions in battle against obesity
The Sun – PILL YOUR BOOTS Gel pill that helps fill the stomach could double tubby Brits’ chances of losing weight
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8959760/gel-pill-double-chance-losing-weight/
Mail Online – Breakthrough pill that expands in patients’ stomach DOUBLES the chance of losing weight if taken 20 minutes before a meal, researchers find
The Guardian – Diet capsules that swell in stomach could help weight loss
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/29/plenity-diet-capsules-could-help-weight-loss
The Times – Expanding pill fills void in battle to stop obesity (front page)
Radio 5 live
CNN – A capsule tricks your stomach into feeling full: could it treat obesity?
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/29/health/obesity-weight-loss-capsule-plenity-gelesis-fda/index.html
Harpers Bazaar – New slimming pill pledges to fight obesity and tackle weight loss
Cutting sugar in tea
BBC – Sugar ‘not necessary’ for a good cuppa
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48085999
The Independent – Tea doesn’t need sugar to taste good, according to science
ITV – Cutting sugar from tea does not affect fondness for beverage – study
Mail Online – Just milk, please: Cutting out sugar in tea does NOT affect how fond you are of a cuppa, scientists say
Mirror – Sugar is ‘not necessary’ for a delicious cuppa, scientists claim
https://www.mirror.co.uk/science/sugar-not-necessary-delicious-cuppa-14967864
Yorkshire Post – Cutting sugar from tea does not affect people’s fondness for the drink
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/cutting-sugar-from-tea-does-not-affect-people-s-fondness-for-the-drink-1-9737490
Business Recorder – Expandable slimming pill doubles chances of losing weight
Gulf Digital News – Breakthrough pill that expands in stomach offers hope for people battling obesity
PA newswire story – Cutting sugar from tea does not affect fondness for beverage – study, as seen in:
AOL news
i news – Tea doesn’t need sugar to be enjoyable, say scientists
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/tea-doesnt-need-sugar-study-taste-test-sweetener/
Metro – Scientists say sugar isn’t needed for a good cup of tea
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/29/scientists-say-sugar-isnt-needed-good-cup-tea-9334078/
Dunyanews.tv (Pakistan) – No sugar needed to make tea taste good: reports
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Technology/489337-No-sugar-needed-make-tea-taste-good-reports
Diabetes UK – Tea drinkers will not miss sugar after quitting, research shows
Children eating later in day weight risk
PA newswire story – Meals later in the day could make children fat, as seen in:
Portugal news
http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/meals-later-in-the-day-could-make-children-fat/49308
Mail Online – Skipping breakfast makes children fat as catching up on calories later in the day leads to overeating as they grow older, study suggests
The Scotsman – Giving young kids big meals later in day increases long-term weight risk, study suggests
https://www.scotsman.com/health/giving-young-kids-big-meals-later-in-day-increases-long-term-weight-risk-study-suggests-1-4916796
Metro – Bigger meals later in day ‘risk making children fat’
https://www.metro.news/bigger-meals-later-in-day-risk-making-children-fat/1538012/
theidendependent – Skipping breakfast tied to higher risk of heart-related death, study finds
http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/197578
Obesity and kidney cancer children
PA newswire story – Kidney cancer risk for tall, heavy kids, as seen in:
The Australian
AAP newswires story – Kidney cancer risk for tall, heavy kids, as seen in:
Perth Now
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/health/kidney-cancer-risk-for-tall-heavy-kids-ng-s-1940604
Science Daily – Heavier and taller children are more likely to develop kidney cancer as adults than their average-sized peers
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190429125316.htm
Healthsite.com – Heavy, tall kids are at higher risk of kidney cancer
https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/heavy-tall-kids-are-at-higher-risk-of-kidney-cancer/
Independent Online (South Africa) – Heavy, tall kids at higher risk of kidney cancer
https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/heavy-tall-kids-at-higher-risk-of-kidney-cancer-22172560
Pregnant women with obesity risk hypertension
ANI news – Pregnant women who were overweight in childhood at risk of hypertensive disorders
Doctorndtv – Women Who Have Undergone Weight-loss Surgery At Risk Of Birth Complications
New Kerala (Washington DC) – Pregnant women who were overweight in childhood at risk of hypertensive disorders: Study
BMI measured by GP
The Scotsman – Quarter of Scots patients have ‘never had BMI measured by doctor’
https://www.scotsman.com/health/quarter-of-scots-patients-have-never-had-bmi-measured-by-doctor-1-4916626
OnMedica – Study reveals parents and doctors failing to spot child obesity
http://www.onmedica.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=dfe70b7b-c8bb-41bd-ae9c-289f90a21c51
Bariatric surgery higher risk pregnancy complications
Medical news – Women who have undergone bariatric surgery may be at higher risk of pregnancy complications
Medical Daily – Weight-Loss Surgery Before Pregnancy Puts Babies At High Risk Of ‘Congenital Anomalies’
https://www.medicaldaily.com/weight-loss-surgery-pregnancy-puts-babies-high-risk-congenital-anomalies-433669
Mole Post Gazette – Women Get Increased Risk of Delivering Premature Babies after Undergoing Weight-Loss Surgery before Pregnancy
Breastfeeding protects against childhood obesity
PA newswire story – Breastfeeding reduces child obesity: study, as seen in:
Canberra Times
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6098363/breastfeeding-reduces-child-obesity-study/?cs=14232
The Guardian – Breastfeeding reduces child obesity risk by up to 25%, WHO finds
The Times newspaper
Daily Mail – Babies given formula milk instead of being breastfed are 25% more likely to become obese
The Telegraph – Bottle-fed babies are a quarter more likely to end up obese
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/30/bottle-fed-babies-quarter-likely-end-obese/
The Sun – MILK ROUND Bottle-fed babies are a quarter more likely to develop into overweight children, World Health Organisation research reveals
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8967655/bottle-fed-babies-quarter-more-likely-overweight/
Belfast Telegraph – Mixed feeding increases risk of childhood obesity, warns health agency
Medical Xpress – Study confirms breastfeeding protects against child obesity, however levels of breastfeeding across Europe are well off
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-breastfeeding-child-obesity-europe-off-target.html
Yahoo style – Bottle-fed babies 25% more likely to end up overweight, new research suggests
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/bottle-fed-babies-likely-end-obese-new-research-suggests-091153778.html
On Medica – Breastfeeding ‘protects’ against child obesity
http://www.onmedica.com/newsArticle.aspx?id=3e03626c-ae54-45d9-a61d-be016bbec6fc
The Times – Breastfeeding rate in Ireland low for Europe
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/breastfeeding-rate-in-ireland-low-for-europe-cv8vnzj07
The Express – Breastfeeding ‘cuts childhood obesity’, new study shows
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1121018/breastfeeding-childhood-obesity-study
News.com (Australia) – Hidden dangers of bottle feeding babies
Daily Record – Bottle-fed babies more likely to become obese as breast milk is more healthy
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/family-kids/bottle-fed-babies-more-likely-14970449
Sugar Tax
PA newswire story – Sugary drinks not linked to childhood obesity, says new research, as seen in:
The Independent
Daily Mail – Questions over value of sugar tax as study finds children who drink soda are NOT heavier than other youngsters
The Scotsman – Study finds ‘no link’ between sugary drink consumption in children and increased BMI
https://www.scotsman.com/health/study-finds-no-link-between-sugary-drink-consumption-in-children-and-increased-bmi-1-4917555
Irish Examiner – Study suggests no link between sugary drinks and high calories intake in children
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/study-suggests-no-link-between-sugary-drinks-and-high-calorie-intake-in-children-920926.html
News Medical Net – UK Sugar Tax may ‘not be most effective tactic’ for childhood obesity
Social media influencers
PA newswire story – Social media bloggers ‘offer inaccurate or biased diet advice’, as seen in:
AOL
The Sun – DIET BLOG BLAGS Most weight loss blogs on social media give BAD diet and fitness advice, experts warn
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8967147/weight-loss-blogs-influencers-bad-advice/
ITV – Social media bloggers ‘offer inaccurate or biased diet advice’
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-30/social-media-bloggers-offer-inaccurate-or-biased-diet-advice/
The Independent – Social media influencers give bad diet and fitness advice eight times out of nine, research reveals
The Mirror – Social media influencers offer ‘inaccurate or biased diet advice’, study warns
https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/social-media-influencers-offer-inaccurate-14969158
Sky news – Dieters warned to avoid bloggers’ ‘potentially harmful’ advice
https://news.sky.com/story/dieters-warned-to-avoid-bloggers-potentially-harmful-advice-11707435
The Express – Social media bad for your health, Glasgow seminar is told
Medscape – Avoid Food Bloggers When Looking for Nutritional Advice
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/912360
Medscape – Are Your Patients Getting Dodgy Diet Advice Online?
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/912283
WHO study severe obesity Europe
The Independent – Severe child obesity highest in Greece, Italy and Spain amid decline of Mediterranean diet, WHO report shows
Euractiv.com – Childhood obesity is a plague on Southern Europe, new WHO report finds
The Olive Press
Medical Xpress – New WHO research reveals wide gradient of severe child obesity across Europe
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-reveals-wide-gradient-severe-child.html
Exams stress and eating behaviour
Press Trust of India newswire story (largest news agency in India), as seen in:
Indian Express – Stressed during exams? Junk food may be to blame: Study
Daily Pioneer
New-medical.net – Increased exam stress linked with eating poorer quality diet
The Week – Are you stressed during exams? Giving up junk food might help
Hospital study—proportion pregnant women with obesity doubled
PA newswire story – Obesity in pregnant women doubles at Scottish hospital, figures show, as seen in:
AOL.co.uk
ITV – Obesity in pregnant women doubles at Scottish hospital, figures show
The Times – Obesity in pregnant women at maternity unit doubles
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/obesity-in-pregnant-women-at-maternity-unit-doubles-9m905hxfz
The Sunday Post – Obesity in pregnant women doubles at Scottish hospital, figures show
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/obesity-in-pregnant-women-doubles-at-scottish-hospital-figures-show/
Scottish Daily Mail in paper
Henry programme child obesity (abstract PO2.105)
PA newswire story – Leeds becomes first city in UK to lower its childhood obesity rate, as seen in:
Yorkshire Evening Post
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/health/leeds-becomes-first-city-in-uk-to-lower-its-childhood-obesity-rate-1-9741784
The Telegraph – Training parents to be stricter cuts child obesity, Oxford University study finds
The Telegraph (opinion) A family meal and no snacks: The old ways are the best ways in the battle against obesity
The Telegraph – The Permissive Parenting Fat Trap: how becoming stricter can cut childhood obesity
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/permissive-parenting-fat-trap/
Daily Mail – Tough love parenting classes reverse the rise in childhood obesity as landmark trial of eight-week course is attended by 10,000 families
The Guardian – Leeds becomes first UK city to lower its childhood obesity rate
The Guardian – My organisation helped Leeds lower child obesity. Here’s how to do it nationwide
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/02/leeds-lower-child-obesity-henry
The Sun – PESTER POWER FAILURE Parents taught to say ‘no’ to their kids help to cut child obesity
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8975551/parents-urged-to-say-no-to-kids-to-stop-obesity/
The Sun – GIVE PEAS A CHANCE My fussy daughter would only eat sausage, beans and chocolate – but I changed that by learning to say NO
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8981558/fussy-daughter-learn-say-no/
The Mirror – Leeds makes history by becoming first UK city to REVERSE childhood obesity
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/leeds-makes-history-becoming-first-14975291
The Times – Lessons for parents in Leeds put child obesity into reverse
The Times – Leeds child obesity: ‘My two-year-old only ate baked beans’
The Times – Nine out of ten pre‑school children eat too much sugar
The Independent – Leeds becomes first UK city to lower childhood obesity rate after teaching parents to be stricter
BBC – Has Leeds cracked the obesity problem?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48113843
BBC – Obesity: How to help your child eat healthily
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48120078
BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme
TVNZ – City of Leeds in England sees impressive decline in childhood obesity
Metro – Simple methods that helped Leeds become first UK city to reverse childhood obesity
Sky News – Drop in child obesity linked to teaching parents to be stricter with their kids
Channel 4 news – Leeds becomes first UK city to lower childhood obesity
https://www.channel4.com/news/leeds-becomes-first-uk-city-to-lower-childhood-obesity
ITV news – Teaching parents how to say ‘No’ to help cut obesity among children
i news – How Leeds became the first UK city to lower its childhood obesity rate
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/leeds-lower-childhood-obesity-rate-first-uk-city/
Huffington Post – Leeds Becomes First English City To Cut Childhood Obesity – So How Did They Do It?
Eating rice to tackle obesity
PA newswire story – Eating More Rice Could Help Fight Obesity, Study Suggests, as seen in:
Bloomberg
The Hindu
Japan Times – Eating more rice could help fight obesity, study led by Japan researcher suggests
ITV news – Eating more rice could help fight obesity, researchers suggest
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-01/eating-more-rice-could-help-fight-obesity-researchers-suggest/
Todayonline – Japanese study suggests that eating more rice could help fight obesity
https://www.todayonline.com/world/japanese-study-suggests-eating-more-rice-could-help-fight-obesity
CTV news (Canada) – Eating more rice is associated with lower obesity rates, researchers say
Strait Times – More grain, less gain? Eating rice helps fight obesity: Study
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/eating-more-rice-could-help-fight-obesity-study-suggests
Irish Examiner – Eating rice may help prevent obesity, research suggests.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/eating-more-rice-could-help-fight-obesity-researchers-suggest-921212.html
Business Standard – Counting your calories? A rice-based diet may help prevent obesity
The Economic Times – What’s for dinner? Eating more rice may pro ..
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/whats-for-dinner-eating-more-rice-may-protect-against-obesity/articleshow/69127004.cms
Phenolic acid breast cancer
Daily Mail – Diet rich in coffee, fruit and vegetables could protect against breast cancer ‘because they are abundant in powerful compounds’
Sky news – Coffee, fruit and vegetables may cut breast cancer risk
https://news.sky.com/story/coffee-fruit-and-vegetables-may-cut-breast-cancer-risk-11707778
STV News – Study suggests coffee and fruit may protect against cancer
https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1437445-study-suggests-coffee-and-fruit-may-protect-against-cancer/
The Independent – Diet rich in coffee, fruits, vegetables and whole grains may cut breast cancer risk by 65%
ITV news – Diet rich in coffee, fruit and veg ‘cuts breast cancer risk’
https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-01/diet-rich-in-coffee-fruit-and-veg-cuts-breast-cancer-risk/
Controlling obesity and preventing premature deaths (NOVO)
PA newswire story – Study finds that thousands of lives would be saved by 2030 if people lost weight, as seen in:
The Sunday Post
The Guardian – Cutting obesity would slash number of early deaths, research finds
The Daily Mail – Halting the obesity epidemic will save 10,000 lives over the next 11 years
Metro – Towns with England’s fattest children revealed
https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/01/towns-with-englands-fattest-children-revealed-9374957/
Bristol Post/Manchester Evening News – End obesity and prevent 40,000 premature deaths say researchers
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/end-obesity-prevent-40000-premature-2818990
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/eliminate-obesity-uk-save-40000-16207948
Children’s understanding of body weight (abstract IS14.03)
Mail Online – Children as young as four view overweight people in a negative light and notice when characters get fatter in books
PA news wire story – Four-year-olds view overweight people negatively – study, as seen in:
The Daily Mail
Irish News
Risk of childhood obesity prediction tool
The Guardian – Risk of obesity can be accurately predicted in babies, study finds
The Telegraph – Childhood obesity can now be predicted within months of a baby’s birth
The Sun – BORN THIS WEIGH How to tell whether your baby will be tubby by the age of ten, according to a scientific formula
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8984528/formula-predict-tubby-by-age-ten/
The Daily Mail – Test reveals if your child will be obese by the age of 10 using facts about parents and infant such as birth weight and diabetes during pregnancy