Belly fat might be more likely for those facing social stress, according to new research. And that’s bad news for people facing financial difficulty, because increased belly fat can lead to other, more serious health conditions. In addition, stress can have a negative impact for women who want to have children,  research shows.

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Belly fat can be beat with smart food choices, according to recent reports. Since the unsightly fat is speculated to trigger hormones that activate the hunger center of the brain, overcoming belly fat could not only help you feel full, but help improve blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Read the full story

In the May 22, 2009 edition of WLS News, learn about the link between allergies and obesity, and find out which friendly bacteria can help you shed those extra pounds. Also, get the scoop on a new initiative to address obesity-related heart disease in women, learn which state is now covering weight loss surgery for state employees, and hear one expert’s recommendation for overcoming our nation’s obesity epidemic. We’ll also tell you which deadly sin might be less deadly than thought, and check in with Yvonne McCarthy about what’s new in weight loss support on the World Wide Web. Read the full story

Get the latest updates on research related to the treatment of obesity and related health issues, and lifestyle tips for keeping the pounds off post-op, each week on WLS News!

In the February 27, 2009, edition of WLS News, we’ll look at the relationship between belly fat and migraines, report on how junk food is affecting our teens’ health, and check on the up-sizing of kids’ clothing as a result of rising childhood obesity rates. We’ll also find out which foods can keep your liver healthy, and new research linking obesity during pregnancy with increased birth defects. Plus, WLS Journeys host Yvonne McCarthy will report in with one of her favorite websites for WLS information and support. Click below to tune into this week’s newscast!

Organizations mentioned in this week’s news:

• Migraine Research Foundation
  
• Drexel University College of Medicine
  
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  
• University of Barcelona
  
• Beth Zuber-Beckwith (Registered Dietician)
• UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
• California Health Interview Survey
• Fruit & Veggies Matter (CDC website)
• The Skinny Online (WLS blog by Lisa Sargese)
• Bariatric Girl (Yvonne McCarthy’s WLS support site)
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• Newcastle University (United Kingdom)
• National Childrenswear Survey
• Select Research (U.K. research agency)
• Bariatric Advantage (nutritional supplements)