Highlights from the Medicine and Life Sciences Research Communities
Published in Cancer, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Genetics & Genomics
While reviewing recent blog publications in the Health & Clinical Research and Life Science Communities, one topic kept re-emerging, World Obesity Day. Held every year on March 4th, World Obesity Day aims to raise awareness and advocate for solutions to the global obesity crisis and highlight the urgent need to improve how we understand, prevent, and treat obesity.
If you’d like to learn more, I highly recommend visiting the World Obesity Day website where you can explore personal stories, advocacy opportunities, and ways to raise awareness.
In this blog post, I wanted to highlight some of the research on this topic shared by our authors and the stories of how this research came to be. From how clinicians can better communicate with patients about obesity to how AI is driving Europe’s first Childhood Obesity Prevention Network, these studies highlight the incredible work being done to tackle this global challenge.
The Complex Relationship Between Obesity, Food Insecurity, and Liver Health
For centuries, a larger body size was a sign of wealth and health. Today, obesity is more often linked to food insecurity and chronic diseases like metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This paradox is particularly interesting to read , how is it that those struggling to afford food are also at the highest risk of diet-related illnesses?
This blog post by @Dana Ivancovsky Wajcman @Jeffrey V Lazarus and @Shira Zelber Sagi expands on the paper published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology and discusses ways food insecurity fuels poor nutrition, from aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods to limited access to fresh, affordable produce. More importantly, it also explores solutions, policy changes, healthcare interventions, and community-driven efforts, to break this cycle.
Read the full 'Behind the Paper' post here, which expands on how food inequality is shaping global health and, importantly, what we can do about it.
Preventing childhood obesity with AI
Childhood obesity is particularly challenging due to its lifelong impact, shaped by diet, exercise, genetics, environment, and behaviour.
This ‘Behind the Paper’ post, written by @Izidor Mlakar following publication of their article in ISRCTN registry, expands on how Europe's first AI-powered childhood obesity prevention network got started by asking a key question: ‘why do some children respond well to obesity interventions while others see little effect?’
This question led researchers to develop the BIO-STREAMS project, a digital biobank that connects data from thousands of children across Europe, helping to predict which interventions work best for different individuals.
Explore how cutting-edge technology was developed to shape the future of childhood obesity prevention in this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post.
Let’s Talk About Obesity & Clinical Communication
I really enjoyed reading this ‘News and Opinion’ blog by @Charlotte Albury on how small changes in conversation can make a huge difference in obesity care. This post discusses how the way healthcare professionals talk about weight, down to specific words and tone, can completely change how patients perceive the helpfulness of conversations, with some common approaches potentially doing more harm than good.
The research discussed breaks down how professionals and patients living with obesity can have supportive and helpful conversations together when discussing obesity and how simple tweaks in communication can lead to better support and real progress. Learn more about healthcare, patient communication and the power of words in this 'News and Opinion' blog post.
Explore more content and continue the conversation around World Obesity Day 2025
The editors and publishers at BMC have selected and shared a number of articles from the Research Communities, collections, and research highlights that support World Obesity Day 2025. The post follows BMC’s commitment to support the Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Join the Conversation!
There is always an abundance of amazing research stories being showcased on the Research Communities. To explore more, visit the ‘Behind the Paper channel and learn what thoughts and ideas go on behind the scenes of research projects.
Interested in more content highlighting awareness days on the Research Communities? Read more about World Water Day and World Tuberculosis Day, as well as other blog roundups:
- February Highlights from Mathematics, Physical, and Applied Sciences Communities
- March Highlights from Mathematics, Physical, and Applied Science, focusing on World Water Day
- Top Posts from the Research Communities in 2024
- February Highlights from Humanities and Social Sciences Communities
- SDG Action & Awareness Week: Exploring SDG Success
Don’t forget to like and start conversations in the comment section of the posts you enjoy. Is there more you would like to learn from the author? Let them know in the comments!
If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at communities@springernature.com
Helping researchers connect, collaborate, and communicate their work. Specialising in Medicine and Life Science and passionate about making science more visible and accessible.
Follow the Topic
-
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
The basic, translational and clinical content in this journal is written by internationally renowned basic and clinical academics and researchers and targeted towards readers in the biological and medical sciences, from postgraduate level upwards.
-
BMC Primary Care
Previously known as BMC Family Practice, this is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of primary health care research.
-
ISRCTN registry
A primary clinical trial registry recognised by WHO and ICMJE that accepts studies involving human subjects or populations with outcome measures assessing effects on human health and well-being, including studies in healthcare, social care, education, workplace safety and economic development.
Your space to connect: The Primary immunodeficiency disorders Hub
A new Communities’ space to connect, collaborate, and explore research on Clinical Medicine, Immunology, and Diseases!
Continue reading announcementRelated Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Primary care workforce and systems
BMC Primary Care is calling for submissions to our Collection, Primary care workforce and systems. The primary care workforce is integral to the healthcare system, serving as the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical attention. This Collection aims to explore the dynamics of the primary care workforce, including its composition, distribution, and the systems that support it. As healthcare needs evolve, understanding the role of healthcare providers and the models of primary care delivery is essential for ensuring quality care and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.
Addressing the challenges faced by the primary care workforce, such as shortages and burnout, is crucial for enhancing patient access to essential services. Recent advancements in integrated care models and innovative workforce strategies have shown promise in mitigating these issues. By focusing on enhancing training, retention, and support for primary care providers, we can improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery, ultimately benefiting patients and communities alike.
In this Collection, we welcome submissions that span a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
-Strategies for addressing workforce shortages
-Innovative primary care models
-Enhancing patient access to primary care
-Integrated care approaches
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Feb 20, 2026
Physiotherapists as first contact practitioners
BMC Primary Care is calling for submissions to our Collection Physiotherapists as first contact practitioners. Physiotherapists acting in this role are gaining increasing recognition in the landscape of primary healthcare. This shift acknowledges the capabilities of physiotherapists to assess, diagnose, and manage conditions, allowing patients to access care more efficiently. In various healthcare systems around the world, physiotherapists are now positioned at the frontline of patient interaction, often serving as the initial point of contact for individuals seeking treatment for pain or injury. This Collection aims to explore the implications of this evolving role and its potential impact on healthcare delivery.
Ongoing research supports new models of care that capitalize on the expertise of physiotherapists as first contact practitioners. This may include the development of enhanced training programs, the establishment of standardized protocols for diagnosis and treatment, and innovative approaches to collaborative care. Such advancements could ultimately lead to improved patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.
In this Collection, we welcome submissions that span a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
- Outcomes of physiotherapy as first contact care
- Training requirements for first contact physiotherapists
- Integration of physiotherapy in primary care
- Telehealth applications in physiotherapy practice
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Dec 18, 2025
Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in