Latest news with #BariatricSurgery
CNET
10 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
Abs Are Made in the Kitchen. Here's How to Eat Right
Six-pack abs might be one of the most sought-after fitness goals, but the truth is, they're not easy to get -- and for a lot of people, they may not even be realistic. Despite what flashy YouTube videos promise, doing a few hundred crunches won't magically give you a defined core in a week. Still, finding a rhythm -- whether it's through routine or listening to the right playlist -- can help keep you moving. Whether you have those coveted abs has less to do with exercise and more with genetics and body fat percentage. Genetics are completely out of our hands, and body fat is a little harder to control than you might think. Still determined to try for six-pack abs, or want to learn why your exercise-filled attempts have never been successful? I spoke to Dr. John Morton, the head of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Yale Medicine, and together we'll tell you everything you need to know, including how to work toward your goal safely. Read more: The best home gym equipment What does body fat percentage mean? Body fat is partly determined by what you eat, but other factors are out of your control. Getty Images It may sound fairly self-explanatory, but your body fat percentage just measures how much of your body mass is fat. And don't look at fat like it's a bad word -- body fat percentage includes essential fat you need to survive. Body fat percentage is easy to get confused with body mass index, or BMI, but the two are quite different. BMI isn't the best measurement of health, since some people can have a "healthy" reading but actually be in danger for obesity-related illnesses because they have too little lean mass. There's a bunch of different ways you can measure your body fat percentage, and for the best readings you'll want to get it done at a doctor's or dietician's office. They'll have machines like an underwater weighing station or the ability to do a DEXA scan, which are far more accurate than anything you can do at home. However, if you don't have the resources to make the trip to a healthcare provider, you can get a fairly good estimate at home. The American Council of Exercise has a calculator where you can plug in some skinfold measurements for a rough idea of what your body fat percentage is. Read more: Best filtered water bottles for 2025 to remove bacteria, sediment and more What body fat percentage do I need for a six-pack? No matter how strong your ab muscles are, they're not going to show through unless you have a low enough body fat. That specific body fat number, though, is individual. Morton says you'll typically need to be below 15% body fat for a six-pack, though he stresses it's different for everyone. Some women on Reddit report that they can start to see a six-pack at around 20% body fat, while others are at 18% and don't see anything. The reason why the number varies for everyone is because we all have different body fat distribution -- some carry fat around their midsection, while others have an "hourglass" shape, where you carry fat in your chest and hips. Body fat distribution is determined in part by environmental factors, like alcohol intake and cigarette use, but it also has a strong genetic component. So, you may be at 18% body fat and carry weight on your hips, but I may be at 18% and carry it around my stomach -- in that case, you'll have a lot easier time getting a six-pack than I will. Read more: The best rowing machines Morton also points to groups of people who have a harder time getting to a low body fat -- namely, Hispanics, African Americans and women. Depending on your individual situation, the body fat percentage needed for a six-pack may not even be healthy. Low body fat can disrupt menstruation and fertility, and can damage your heart, immune system or cause a ton of other serious conditions. Women will typically not want to go below 14% body fat, and men 8%, but for some people that number may be higher -- if you're experiencing health problems connected to your weight, contact your health care provider. Say you get to a low enough body fat percentage in a healthy manner -- I hate to break it to you, but you still might not have a six-pack. Your abs are actually one big muscle, called the rectus abdominis, and the six-pack look is created by the intersections of three lateral tendons and one horizontal one. While most people have this tendon pattern, some have two or four lateral tendons -- in that case, you'll have a four- or eight-pack. What workout should I do for a six-pack? I hope I haven't rained on your parade too much -- if you're still motivated to try, there are certainly steps you can take to maximize your chances of getting that coveted six-pack. The first thing you'll probably want to do is lose weight. But be careful -- weight loss doesn't automatically mean fat loss. Morton says to emphasize your protein intake instead of carbs and fat, and keep up your exercise and weight lifting during your weight loss journey. This way, you can ensure that you're primarily losing fat and not muscle or water. When losing weight, be sure to keep up the exercise. Westend61/Getty Images "Another helpful way to get a six-pack is to avoid the other six-pack," Morton says, referring to alcohol. There's a reason why it's called a beer belly -- alcohol intake usually puts weight around your midsection, so you'll definitely want to avoid overconsumption if you want a six-pack. Finally, don't neglect the core workout. Morton tells me that even if you aren't striving for a six-pack, core workouts are super important for preventing neck and back issues, as well as improving your posture. Certified physical therapist Jeff Cavaliere, known on YouTube as Athlean X, has a great workout routine video with some simple compound movements to develop your abdominal strength. Whatever workout you end up doing, you'll want to ensure you're incorporating whole body movements so you don't develop muscle imbalances. Just remember to make sure you're getting protein, avoiding too much alcohol and working out your abs -- if the genetic gods are kind to you, your hard work will get you where you need to be.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Calls for urgent regulation of weight loss surgery tourism after 28 Britons die from medical complications in Turkey
Medical tourism for weight loss is rising in popularity, with around 5,000 Britons a year travelling overseas for cut-price surgery. But experts have warned the industry is putting patients' lives at risk and is in urgent need of regulation. Botched surgery can lead to infections 'leakage, sepsis, and even death,' a report by the BMJ highlights. At least 28 British people had died between 2019 and March 2024, due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey figures provided by the Foreign Office revealed. Weight loss surgery, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a treatment for people who are severely obese. It makes the stomach smaller, so it feels fuller sooner and less food is eaten. Despite the rise in popularity of weight loss jabs, the medical tourism industry for weight loss surgery continues to grow. Medical tourism industry is worth more than $400 billion (£300 billion) annually, with anticipated year on year growth of 25 per cent. Patient's seeking weight loss surgery are often lured abroad by cut price deals and before and after weight loss images posted on social media. The out-of-pocket cost for this type of surgery done privately in the UK is around £10, 000 to £15,000, but costs approximately £2,500 to £4,500 in countries, such as Turkey. Dr Jessica McGirr of the Obesity Research and Care Group RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland and Imperial College London highlight that although cheaper often these packages do not cover care after the operation or long-term nutritional or psychological support that you would be offered in the UK. An inquest into 40-year-old Hayley Butler, a dog groomer from Norwich who died of organ failure after a sleeve gastrectomy at the Ozel Gozde Hospital in Izmir, revealed the surgery 'had not been done properly'. A doctor Tanveer Adil, who works at Luton & Dunstable Hospital, explained she died as a result of the procedure and the "lack of safety netting" afterwards. He added that he had dealt with more than 100 other patients suffering complications after undergoing similar procedures abroad. On the NHS it can take two or more years from referral for a patient to receive the surgery, plus there are specific requirements to meet. To be considered for surgery on the NHS, patients need to have a BMI of 40 or more, meaning they are obese. Patients will also need to have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet, exercise and medicine. Around 4 million people in the UK meet the criteria for surgery, but the NHS only deals with about 5,000 cases each year. The BMJ report highlights most patients (71 per cent) self-refer for surgery abroad, meaning the surgery may not appropriate for them. 'When considering adverse outcomes, including anastomotic [surgical tissue join in the gut] leakage, sepsis, and even death, equally concerning is the absence of regulation to ensure that only accredited procedures are performed by appropriately qualified providers,' study authors said. 'Further concern arises in the context of medical tourism 'packages' in which patients are offered multiple procedures within the same trip,' which are often accompanied by financial incentives, they added. A survey of weight loss surgery providers overseas found nearly a third of respondents believed the consent process was 'inappropriate', while 14 per cent believed that patients were personally responsible for surgical complications. 'The need to regulate the bariatric and metabolic tourism industry to mitigate these safety, ethical, and legal risks for patients is essential,' authors argued. In many cases the NHS is left to pick up the pieces of returning medical tourists after botched surgery. The current situation 'highlights the need for transnational collaboration among all sectors to implement regulation,' the authors explained, suggesting that bodies, such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation, and the European Union, among others, should be involved in a global forum designated with this task. The BMJ report concluded: 'This unregulated industry presents opportunity for quicker access to effective treatment for individuals with obesity but carries potential safety, ethical, and legal risks. 'The economy and healthcare resources of both home and destination countries may benefit financially from bariatric and metabolic tourism, but the potential for unintended negative consequences and widening health inequity are significant. 'Establishing regulation through transnational collaboration is essential to protect health and health equity.'
Medscape
15-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Bariatric Surgery: Who's Eligible Now?
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool for long-term weight loss, but it requires lifelong commitment to healthy eating, physical activity, supplements, and behavior change. When should you refer for bariatric surgery? The 2019 AACE/TOS/ASMBS guidelines recommend considering surgery for individuals with a BMI over 35 and at least one obesity-related condition — like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension — or anyone with a BMI over also note that patients with a BMI from 30 to 34.9 and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may be considered. The updated 2022 ASMBS guidelines recommend expanding eligibility to include a BMI over 30with weight-related conditions, especially for Asian populations who experience metabolic risk at lower most insurance plans still only cover surgery for a BMI over 35 with associated conditions or a BMI over 40. Because long-term weight loss is difficult due to biologic adaptations, I offer surgery as an option to all eligible patients so they can make an informed choice. Surgery may be especially appropriate for patients who prefer surgery over lifelong obesity medications — though they'll still need lifelong vitamin supplementation — those who have not achieved long-term success with lifestyle interventions and/or obesity medications, or those who have higher BMI, for whom obesity medications and lifestyle modifications may not be sufficient to lead to resolution of weight-related complications. Importantly, this does not have to be an either/or patients benefit from a combination of bariatric surgery and obesity medications to achieve meaningful, lasting weight loss and improvements in health. As always, shared decision making is key, including a clear discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and patient goals.
CNET
05-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Want Visible Abs? Start in the Kitchen, Not the Gym
Six-pack abs are the holy grail when it comes to many people's fitness goals, but getting them isn't an easy feat (and it's not a healthy pursuit for many people, either). YouTube videos with titles like "How to get a six-pack in one week" make people believe having visible abs is just a matter of doing 100 crunches a day. Hate to burst your bubble, but achieving a chiseled midsection requires much more than that. Whether you have those coveted abs has less to do with exercise and more with genetics and body fat percentage. Genetics are completely out of our hands, and body fat is a little harder to control than you might think. Still determined to try for six-pack abs, or want to learn why your exercise-filled attempts have never been successful? I spoke to Dr. John Morton, the head of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Yale Medicine, and together we'll tell you everything you need to know, including how to work toward your goal safely. Read more: The best home gym equipment What does body fat percentage mean? Body fat is partly determined by what you eat, but other factors are out of your control. Getty Images It may sound fairly self-explanatory, but your body fat percentage just measures how much of your body mass is fat. And don't look at fat like it's a bad word -- body fat percentage includes essential fat you need to survive. Body fat percentage is easy to get confused with body mass index, or BMI, but the two are quite different. BMI isn't the best measurement of health, since some people can have a "healthy" reading but actually be in danger for obesity-related illnesses because they have too little lean mass. There's a bunch of different ways you can measure your body fat percentage, and for the best readings you'll want to get it done at a doctor's or dietician's office. They'll have machines like an underwater weighing station or the ability to do a DEXA scan, which are far more accurate than anything you can do at home. However, if you don't have the resources to make the trip to a healthcare provider, you can get a fairly good estimate at home. The American Council of Exercise has a calculator where you can plug in some skinfold measurements for a rough idea of what your body fat percentage is. Read more: Best filtered water bottles for 2020 to remove bacteria, sediment and more What body fat percentage do I need for a six-pack? No matter how strong your ab muscles are, they're not going to show through unless you have a low enough body fat. That specific body fat number, though, is individual. Morton says you'll typically need to be below 15% body fat for a six-pack, though he stresses it's different for everyone. Some women on Reddit report that they can start to see a six-pack at around 20% body fat, while others are at 18% and don't see anything. The reason why the number varies for everyone is because we all have different body fat distribution -- some carry fat around their midsection, while others have an "hourglass" shape, where you carry fat in your chest and hips. Body fat distribution is determined in part by environmental factors, like alcohol intake and cigarette use, but it also has a strong genetic component. So, you may be at 18% body fat and carry weight on your hips, but I may be at 18% and carry it around my stomach -- in that case, you'll have a lot easier time getting a six-pack than I will. Read more: The best rowing machines in 2020 Morton also points to groups of people who have a harder time getting to a low body fat -- namely, Hispanics, African Americans and women. Depending on your individual situation, the body fat percentage needed for a six-pack may not even be healthy. Low body fat can disrupt menstruation and fertility, and can damage your heart, immune system or cause a ton of other serious conditions. Women will typically not want to go below 14% body fat, and men 8%, but for some people that number may be higher -- if you're experiencing health problems connected to your weight, contact your health care provider. Say you get to a low enough body fat percentage in a healthy manner -- I hate to break it to you, but you still might not have a six-pack. Your abs are actually one big muscle, called the rectus abdominis, and the six-pack look is created by the intersections of three lateral tendons and one horizontal one. While most people have this tendon pattern, some have two or four lateral tendons -- in that case, you'll have a four- or eight-pack. What workout should I do for a six-pack? I hope I haven't rained on your parade too much -- if you're still motivated to try, there are certainly steps you can take to maximize your chances of getting that coveted six-pack. The first thing you'll probably want to do is lose weight. But be careful -- weight loss doesn't automatically mean fat loss. Morton says to emphasize your protein intake instead of carbs and fat, and keep up your exercise and weight lifting during your weight loss journey. This way, you can ensure that you're primarily losing fat and not muscle or water. When losing weight, be sure to keep up the exercise. Westend61/Getty Images "Another helpful way to get a six-pack is to avoid the other six-pack," Morton says, referring to alcohol. There's a reason why it's called a beer belly -- alcohol intake usually puts weight around your midsection, so you'll definitely want to avoid overconsumption if you want a six-pack. Finally, don't neglect the core workout. Morton tells me that even if you aren't striving for a six-pack, core workouts are super important for preventing neck and back issues, as well as improving your posture. Certified physical therapist Jeff Cavaliere, known on YouTube as Athlean X, has a great workout routine video with some simple compound movements to develop your abdominal strength. Whatever workout you end up doing, you'll want to ensure you're incorporating whole body movements so you don't develop muscle imbalances. Just remember to make sure you're getting protein, avoiding too much alcohol and working out your abs -- if the genetic gods are kind to you, your hard work will get you where you need to be.
Fox News
14-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Weight-loss drugs' impact on cancer risk revealed in new study
Weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery have both been found effective at helping people shed excess pounds — and now a new study explores their link to obesity-related cancer (ORC) risk. Obesity is a known risk factor for certain types of cancers, and has also been shown to impact cancer survival. Obesity-related cancers include multiple myeloma, meningioma, adenocarcinoma of esophagus; stomach, colorectal, liver or bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, uterus, ovary, renal-cell kidney, thyroid, and postmenopausal breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers at Clalit Health Services in Tel Aviv, Israel, conducted an observational study of the medical records of 6,356 participants aged 24 and older who had obesity and diabetes, with no history of obesity-related cancer. Between 2010 and 2018, half of the participants took GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) — injectable medications for obesity and type 2 diabetes — with at least six drug purchases within 12 months. The other half underwent bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS). After adjusting for other factors, the researchers determined that ORC occurred in 5.62 cases per 1,000 person-years in those who had the surgery, and in 5.89 cases per 1,000 person-years among those who took GLP-1s. Overall, the study determined that "the direct effect of GLP1-RAs compared to BMS on the risk for ORC beyond their effects on weight-loss is estimated as 41% relative risk reduction." The findings were published in the journal eClinicalMedicine. "The results point at the existence of additional pathways beyond weight loss in which GLP-1RAs contribute to the decreased risk for obesity-related cancer," lead study author Yael Wolff Sagy, PhD, head of research at Clalit Health Services, told Fox News Digital. Niketa Patel, professor of molecular medicine with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida, noted that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. "GLP1-RAs are shown to reduce inflammation and thus decrease the risk of developing ORC," she told Fox News Digital. (Patel was not involved in the study.) "The anti-inflammatory properties of these medications address a known risk factor for various cancers." "Bottom line: Obesity can cause certain cancers, and treatment of obesity with GLP1-RA reduces the risk of only obesity-related cancers." Dr. Britta Reierson, MD, medical director of knownwell, a provider of metabolic health services, said there are several ways in which GLP-1 RAs could have cancer mitigation properties. "First, the anti-inflammatory properties of these medications address a known risk factor for various cancers," the Minnesota-based doctor, who also was not part of the research, told Fox News Digital. "Second, the metabolic regulation and improvement in metabolic health from these medications, including lowering blood glucose levels and decreasing insulin resistance, can reduce cancer risk." Emerging evidence also suggests that GLP-1 RAs may have direct anti-tumor effects, Reierson noted — "potentially through modulation of immune responses and epigenetic changes (changes that occur to gene expression and are passed down to future generations)." Research suggests that GLP-1 medications help reduce inflammation not just through weight loss, but also in other organs of the body, such as the heart, according to Dr. Susan Savery, MD, a board-certified obesity medicine and primary care physician with PlushCare, a virtual health platform offering primary care, therapy and weight management services. "Over time, chronic inflammation can be a risk factor for cancer development, as it may damage cell DNA," San Francisco-based Savery, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "Our fat cells (adipose tissue) naturally produce inflammatory cells, and GLP-1 medications, similar to bariatric surgery, help reduce this inflammation by decreasing the amount of adipose tissue through weight loss." The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. "First, it is an observational study. It means that our comparison groups (persons who had surgery versus those who received GLP1-RAs) may still have some residual differences, despite our methodological efforts," Sagy told Fox News Digital. "However, only this type of real-life observational study can provide the long follow-up period that is necessary to evaluate the risk of developing cancer, which often has very long latency periods." Another limitation is that the primary drug included in the study was liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza), with smaller numbers of people taking exenatide (Byetta) and dulaglutide (Trulicity). "It will be important to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the newer GLP1-RA drugs, which are expected to have a larger effect," Sagy said. "Although the direction of the results is promising, we should wait and see if and how clinical guidelines will consider it." Reierson agreed that much more research is needed before GLP-1 RAs could ever be considered as cancer prevention options. "Larger, randomized, controlled trials are necessary to confirm the observed effects and better understand the underlying mechanisms," she said. "It will also be important to investigate the impact of GLP-1 RAs on different types of cancer and assess the long-term safety and potential side effects of using GLP-1 RAs as a cancer therapy." Savery agrees that it's likely too early to predict FDA approval for cancer therapy, but noted that "weight reduction plays an important role in cancer prevention, and GLP-1s seem to offer an additional benefit through inflammation reduction." While GLP-1 RAs are "wonderful tools" that can support people on weight-loss journeys, Savery pointed out that maintaining a healthy lifestyle through nutritious eating and regular physical activity is "the foundation for cancer prevention and better overall health."
