The findings of the 2 year interim report of the APEX (Lap-Band AP Experience) study show encouraging results for obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Designed in 2008, the APEX study is a multicenter, prospective, open-label, 5-year assessment of severely obese patients undergoing the LAP-BAND AP System surgery. In the report, researchers are presenting data…
Exercise and the Brain
Two new studies on the brain have provided a better understanding of how exercise affects our desire to eat. The first study, conducted by researchers at California Polytechnic State University, looked at how exercise affected what is called the ‘food-reward system’ region of the brain, in 30 physically-fit young adults. They looked at the participants’…
Is the Freshman 15 a Myth?
Is the notion of the “Freshman 15” weight gain a myth? A new study from the Ohio State University’s Center for Human Resource Research found that most students do not in fact gain 15 pounds in their first year of college, and on the contrary, almost a quarter of students actually report losing weight during…
Bariatric Surgery and Fertility
Fertility is an important issue for women undergoing weight loss surgery. There are strong associations between body weight and infertility, insulin resistance and diabetes. Although fertility is not often the primary motivating factor for bariatric surgery, there is strong evidence that it improves post-operatively. Irregular menstrual cycles and polycyctic ovarian syndrome are also very likely…
Sleep apnea
This is a bit of a pet topic here at OWLS, and one that we feel is often not adequately addressed. Sleep apnea is common, underdiagnosed, and a preventable cause of sudden death. It is also very difficult to loose weight when people are not able to sleep properly. Anyway, we have recently had a…