Obesity Coverage

US Senate committee investigates weight-loss drug costs as NC negotiates with manufacturer

A U.S. Senate committee is investigating the prices that Novo Nordisk charges for its blockbuster medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. North Carolina officials, who canceled coverage of the drugs over costs, are trying to negotiate lower prices with the drug maker.

Dani Blum, New York Times

TRESSIE McMILLAN COTTOM: Oprah, Ozempic and us

Thursday, March 21, 2024 -- Oprah Winfrey is back and she wants to talk about losing weight. ... Viewed at a distance and as a whole, the one-hour program was a harbinger of how the weight-loss industry is rebranding: Obesity is a disease and -- for the first time -- it's not your fault.

Premature death rate higher in NC than nationwide

Cancer and heart disease are the two leading causes of premature deaths.

Premature deaths in NC rise by 11% with sedentary, screen-driven lifestyle linked to chronic illness & premature death

More people are dying in North Carolina at younger ages, according to the latest America's Health Ranking report. Cancer and heart disease were the two leading causes of premature deaths.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

Where obesity is worst not necessarily where weight-loss drugs are being prescribed

Counties most impacted by obesity aren't the ones where people are seeking out prescriptions for ​​GLP-1 drugs most.

Weight loss drug prescribing practices don't match up with the obesity rates, data shows

Counties most impacted by obesity aren't the ones where people are seeking out prescriptions for ​​GLP-1 drugs most.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL Data Journalist

This is the greatest risk factor of death in people with obesity, according to a new study

(CNN) -- Treating loneliness and social isolation may put people classified as obese at a lower risk for health complications, according to a new study.

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

FDA approves Mounjaro diabetes drug to be prescribed for weight loss

The drug, called Mounjaro for diabetes, will be called Zepbound for weight loss, according to a news release from the FDA.

FDA approves Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro for obesity under new name, Zepbound

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the type 2 diabetes drug tirzepatide for use in chronic weight management Wednesday, making official the use of a medicine already widely prescribed off-label for weight loss.

Carly Haynes , WRAL reporter & Meg Tirrell, CNN

Study: Obesity changes the brain in a way that makes people eat more

It's a story most of us have heard -- a friend goes on a diet program and loses weight but can't seem to keep it off. A new study by the Yale School of Medicine found that obesity may cause irreversible changes to the brain.

Researchers want to stop obesity before it starts

Groundbreaking research is underway to stop obesity before it starts. How much of your health and weight is predetermined at birth?

Duke doctor predicts demand for wieght-loss drug will be heavy

Regulators say a new version of a popular diabetes medicine can soon be sold as a weight-loss drug in the U.S.

FDA approves obesity drug that helped people cut weight 15%

Regulators say a new version of a popular diabetes medicine can soon be sold as a weight-loss drug in the U.S.

By LINDA A. JOHNSON, AP Medical Writer

Airlines could start weighing passengers before flights

Experts say the nation's climbing obesity rates have made the numbers the airlines use for their safety calculations outdated. They say weighing passengers would be a more accurate way of determining whether it was safe for the plane to take off.

Vaccine rates low among some high-risk populations in North Carolina

Data analysis shows there is high vaccine hesitancy among some North Carolinians who are most at-risk for having severe or fatal reactions to the virus.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL investigative data journalist

COVID-19 death rates 10 times higher in countries where most adults are overweight, report finds

The risk of death from Covid-19 is about 10 times higher in countries where most of the population is overweight, according to a report released Wednesday by the World Obesity Forum.

By Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN

Study: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective in obese people

Researchers in Italy have discovered that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may be less effective in obese individuals.

Get paid to lose weight? It's a real program

It sounds too good to be true, but one company is proving that wrong.

American obesity rate hits new record

The number of Americans considered obese has topped 42-percent, and that puts millions at risk for COVID-19 complications.

Researchers at UNC discover link between obesity, coronavirus

Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have discovered a concerning link between coronavirus and obesity.

Americans say they are gaining the 'quarantine 15'

Isolation is causing many to put on weight. Reality star Kim Kardashian even admitted that she's gained a "few pounds" while staying inside.

Survey finds 40% of US adults are obese

About 4 in 10 American adults are obese, and nearly 1 in 10 is severely so, government researchers said Thursday.

UNC student creates support program for obese adolescents

Faith Newsome struggled with obesity her entire life. After getting a gastric bypass at age 16, she decided to dedicate her life to helping other young people struggling with obesity.

UNC student who had gastric bypass at 16 launches support program for obese adolescents

After getting a gastric bypass at age 16, Faith Newsome decided to dedicate her life to helping other young people struggling with obesity.

Loneliness Kills

Loneliness and social isolation is the public health concern of our time. It is quite literally killing us.

Liisa Ogburn