A proposed framework for diagnosing obesity that moves away from using body mass index as a standalone metric could delay treatment for millions of patients, especially those with preclinical obesity, according to the Endocrine Society. In an article in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the organization wrote that the framework could complicate routine clinical care and widen health disparities.

Full Story: MedPage Today (free registration) (4/2)

A bipartisan group in the Senate has introduced the INSULIN Act, which would cap insulin costs at $35 per month for Americans with private insurance and initiate a pilot program for uninsured individuals in 10 states. The bill faces challenges but represents a potential bipartisan win on health care affordability amid rising costs.

Full Story: The Associated Press (4/2)

A single-center retrospective observational study found metabolic benefits of tirzepatide for patients with partial lipodystrophy. The study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found reductions in A1C, serum triglycerides and daily insulin requirements with tirzepatide. Median weight loss of 7.9% was reported.

Full Story: Medscape (3/31)

A 20-year study in Greece found that people with impaired fasting glucose had higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that 40.2% of those with impaired fasting glucose developed cardiovascular disease, compared with 30.2% of those with normal glucose levels.

Full Story: Medscape (3/31)

A study in Scientific Reports found that problematic social media use, characterized by compulsive engagement and loss of control, is linked to higher depressive symptoms in adolescents, particularly those under 16. Early adolescence emerged as an especially vulnerable period, highlighting the importance of education and digital literacy to help young people manage online exposure responsibly.

Full Story: Medical Xpress (3/15)

The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and other heart groups published updated guidance — including for children and young adults — for treating and managing dyslipidemia and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Among the recommendations are lipid panel screening at ages 9 to 11, 19 to 21 and then at least every five years going forward, health behavior counseling for young patients, and possible lipid-lowering therapy for young adults with higher risks.

Full Story: Healio (free registration) (3/13), Healio (free registration) (3/13)

A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found no difference in hip bone loss for patients with diabetes who were taking GLP-1 medications compared with those not taking GLP-1 medications. For patients without diabetes, hip bone loss rates were higher among patients taking GLP-1 medications. Most participants in the 255-person study were women, and their median age was 64.

Full Story: Endocrinology Advisor (3/16)

A study published in The Lancet found that orforglipron resulted in greater reductions in A1C and body weight than oral semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes. The trial involved 1,698 adults and showed significant improvements in cardiometabolic parameters with orforglipron. However, gastrointestinal adverse events were more common with orforglipron.

Full Story: Healio (free registration) (2/25)

A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that 30.8% of US youth ages 10 to 19 had prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, with boys representing 62% of cases. The study, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found non-Hispanic white adolescents had the highest prevalence across racial and ethnic groups. Abdominal adiposity, measured by waist-to-height ratio, was the strongest independent predictor.

Screening: “From a clinical and public health perspective, these findings suggest that screening strategies relying solely on BMI may miss high-risk adolescents. Integrating waist-to-height ratio into routine pediatric assessment could enhance early identification, particularly among males, and inform targeted interventions to reduce central adiposity before glycemic deterioration occurs,” the study authors wrote.

Full Story: Medscape (2/26)

A midstage trial in China of the “triple G” obesity drug candidate UBT251, developed by Novo Nordisk and United Laboratories International, has shown a mean weight loss of up to 19.7% over 24 weeks. UBT251 targets GLP-1, GIP and glucagon.

Full Story: Reuters (2/24)