Scientists from Arizona State University and Oklahoma State University have reported that not all overweight and obesity body shapes are equally stigmatised. Unfortunately, fat stigma is a socially acceptable form of prejudice that contributes to poor medical outcomes and negatively affects educational and economic opportunities. This latest study has shown that women with abdominal fat around their midsection are more stigmatised than those with gluteofemoral fat on the hips, buttocks and thighs.

Researchers from UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science and the UCL MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing, London, UK, who analysed data from the UK Biobank of 500,000 people aged 58 years on average, found that people with higher than normal blood sugar levels were 42% more likely to experience cognitive decline over an average of four years. They were also 54% more likely to develop vascular dementia over an average of eight years, although absolute rates of both cognitive decline and dementia were low.

Outcomes form the investigator-initiated INSPIRE clinical trial, conducted in collaboration with Fractyl, have demonstrate that a majority of patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a combination of Revita DMR (duodenal mucosal resurfacing) and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) were able to discontinue and remain off insulin therapy for 18 months after treatment. Additionally, all treated patients showed significant improvements in measures of glucose regulation and metabolic health.

Apollo Endosurgery has announced that on 1st March 2021, Charles (Chas) McKhann will become CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, with current CEO, Todd Newton, serving as a consultant to the company for up to six months following his transition.

Confusion and misunderstanding still surrounds artificial sweeteners and it is harming the fight against obesity and diabetes, according to research led by Liverpool Hope University, UK. The investigators are calling for an education campaign to improve the reputation of non-nutritive sweeteners in order to get more people making the sugar-sweetener swap.