‘Hunger hormone’ turns eating less into eating more
If scientists can suppress ghrelin’s activity in the brain, they may be able to cut down on the desire to overeat.
Medicare seniors likely to be sicker, live longer in near future
USC Schaeffer Center and Brookings Institution researchers analyze concerns, trends and policy considerations critical for the sustainability of Medicare.
Thanksgiving offers researchers a feast of data on obesity
USC psychologist and health care expert team with Virginia engineers to devise a method for combating overeating.
Parents can use Halloween as a teachable moment
Conversations about the annual treats and sweets may help children lead a healthier lifestyle.
Factors in breast milk may play a role in transmission of obesity
Considered the first and best nutrition source, breast milk may have a surprising influence on obesity, study finds.
New USC research center to examine causes of childhood obesity in low-income populations
Exposure to pollution and social stresses suspected to be among the key factors.
The ‘Happy Meal effect’: Little bribes spark better eating habits
Giving consumers an incentive for choosing smaller meal portions means lower daily intake of calories, USC research finds.
A closer look at childhood obesity: In many groups, it’s still on the rise
Reports of a slowdown don’t tell the whole story, USC analysis shows.
Newly discovered hormone mimics the effects of exercise
Natural human hormone protects against obesity and diabetes in mice.
Fit Families feeds a need for healthier eating
USC’s free wellness program educates residents about diet and exercise in areas at high risk of chronic diseases.
Can sleep apnea patients get a good night’s rest?
Three researchers develop new tools to see inside the airway of pediatric patients.
Gene discovery prevents weight gain with a high-sugar diet
A genetic mutation may be the crucial link to prevent obesity with high-sugar diets.
Soda consumers may be drinking more harmful sugar than labels reveal
The dose could increase a person’s risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.
USC scholar uses MRI to examine thyroid disorders
Brown fat is increasingly drawing the interest of medical researchers who study metabolic and endocrine issues.
Newly funded fotonovelas bound for overseas distribution
USC School of Pharmacy Associate Professor Mel Baron receives new funding for his popular fotonovelas.
Medical student leads urban youth to great outdoors
Ali Arastu has transformed his experiences — from hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail to living on Skid Row — into a passion for preventive medicine.
Perceptions must change to avoid overeating, author says
Have you ever felt driven to eat something sweet, even when you didn’t want to?
USC examines links between maternal stress and childhood obesity
A USC research team will study discover whether stress in the lives of working mothers influences risk of childhood obesity in their children.
Can air pollution make children obese?
Keck Medicine of USC researchers will investigate the hypothesis that children who live near busy roadways may be exposed to air pollution that leads to obesity.
Research confronts efficacy of foster care placement in reducing obesity
In 2011, the Cuyahoga County Department of Family Services removed an 8-year-old, 200-pound Ohio boy from his mother’s care, citing medical neglect as the cause.
Students learn about life and health at Kids’ Day
The USC School of Pharmacy held its annual Kids’ Day, inviting 110 students from El Sereno Middle School on March 2 to learn about health and well-being.
Irrationality May Be the Result of Mental ‘Noise’
Humans systematically make irrational decisions and poor estimates, but new research shows that real-world biases such as prejudice and self-aggrandizement may be explained by simple “noisy” deviation in our mental processes.
Program Helps Children Fight Obesity
When a fifth-grader told Nadine Afari that pepperoni grows from the ground, the USC Young Scientists Program director decided her next project would teach children the differences between processed and natural foods.