Weight gain could be linked to lack of sleep, according to a new study.  People under 40 who regularly get an average of five hours of sleep or less a night are at increased risk of accumulating abdominal fat. Read the full story

Obesity may be caused by bacteria in the stomach, according to a new study which claims that germs in the gut may help drive appetite. Read the full story

This week on WLS News, we’ll explain how an occasional sip of vino could help you keep a sleek physique, and why putting a tax on junk food may actually help Americans save money. Plus, find out how too little sleep at night could keep you from shedding pounds, and see what researchers are saying about the effect a specific stomach bacteria has on obesity. Get the details on all of these stories and more in this week’s newscast. Read the full story

Low-fat diets may trump low-carb diets when it comes to keeping off the weight for good, a new study suggests. Read the full story

Obesity in girls may be triggered by stress, a new study suggests.  Depression can increase hormone levels in teenage girls, leading to weight gain and obesity. Read the full story

Arthritis rates in the United States are rising and it may be a consequence of the rising obesity rate, according to a new study. Read the full story

Childhood obesity rates have increased due to constant snacking by kids, according to a new study. In fact, snacking accounts for more than a quarter of the calories children consume. Read the full story

Diets that consist of a lot of fattening foods can raise the risk of stroke for women over the age of 50, new research shows. But doctors note the risk can be easily avoided. Read the full story