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: The UK’s Clinical Study 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.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Ethics and regulation of AI in primary care
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into primary care is rapidly transforming healthcare delivery, enabling more personalized, efficient, and effective patient care. However, the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with the deployment of AI technologies in this context are multifaceted and require thorough examination. Issues such as patient privacy, data protection, informed consent, and the potential for algorithmic bias are at the forefront of discussions surrounding AI's role in healthcare. As AI systems increasingly influence clinical decision-making, understanding the ethical frameworks and regulatory requirements governing their use is essential for safeguarding patient rights and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
The significance of addressing the ethical and regulatory dimensions of AI in primary care lies in its potential to enhance patient trust and ensure that AI applications are developed and implemented responsibly. Recent advancements in AI have demonstrated its capabilities in improving diagnostic accuracy and streamlining administrative tasks; however, these benefits must be balanced with robust protections for patient data and ethical considerations regarding decision-making. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive regulations can lead to inconsistencies in AI application and misuse, which could undermine public confidence in these technologies.
In this Collection, we welcome submissions that span a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
- Ethical considerations in AI applications
- Data protection and patient privacy in AI
- Informed consent processes for AI use
- Regulatory frameworks for AI in primary care
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: Jan 28, 2027
Identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse in primary care
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) remains a pervasive issue affecting individuals across various demographics, often leading to significant physical and mental health consequences. Primary care settings are uniquely positioned to identify and respond to instances of DVA, yet many healthcare providers feel ill-equipped to address this sensitive issue. This Collection aims to explore the role of primary care in recognizing the signs of domestic abuse and developing effective response strategies, enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals to support affected individuals.
As this research area continues to evolve, we may see significant advancements in the implementation of standardized protocols for identifying and responding to domestic violence in primary care. Future studies could lead to the development of comprehensive training programs for healthcare providers, enhancing their confidence and competence in addressing this issue. Ongoing research could facilitate the creation of collaborative networks between primary care providers, social services, and community organizations, ultimately leading to more effective support for survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, integrating mental health support and community resources into primary care settings has shown promise in creating safer environments for patients, and fostering early detection and intervention.
In this Collection, we welcome submissions that span a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
- Identification tools for domestic violence in primary care
- Training programs for healthcare providers on DVA
- Integrating primary care, social services, and mental health support
- Community and peer support resources for domestic abuse survivors attending primary care
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
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: Nov 11, 2026
