High Obesity in 16 States; PFAS & Breastfeeding; Illegal Diabetes Supplements

Sixteen states — a jump from 12 states in 2019 — now officially have high obesity prevalence rates, defined as at least 35% of residents having obesity. New to the CDC’s list in 2020 were Delaware, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas.

Might the carbohydrate-insulin model be able to better explain this obesity epidemic rather than simply overeating? (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Pregnant women exposed to higher concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — a family of endocrine-disrupting chemicals — were less likely to be able to breastfeed. “Our findings are important because almost every human on the planet is exposed to PFAS. These man-made chemicals accumulate in our bodies and have detrimental effects on reproductive health,” said study author Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann, PhD, of the University of Southern Denmark in Copenhagen, in a statement. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)

Enrollment is officially underway in the phase IV clinical trial testing the efficacy and safety of teprotumumab (Tepezza) in patents with inactive, chronic thyroid eye disease, Horizon Therapeutics announced. The treatment was first approved in January 2020.

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to 10 companies that were illegally selling dietary supplements claiming to cure, treat, and prevent diabetes.

The FDA also granted breakthrough therapy designation to the SGLT-2 inhibitor empagliflozin (Jardiance) as an investigational treatment for adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced.

The bihormonal bionic pancreas — an experimental device combining a continuous glucose monitoring, two hormone pumps, and an algorithm — was able to help patients with hyperinsulinism who had their pancreas removed maintain glycemic control. (Diabetes Care)

The Endocrine Society praised the U.K’s Court of Appeal’s ruling to maintain gender-affirming care for transgender and gender diverse teenagers seeking treatment to delay puberty.

In addition, the Endocrine Society announced the 13 endocrinologists who will be honored with the 2022 Laureate Awards, recognizing the highest achievements in the field of endocrinology.

The Yale Diabetes Research Center announced it is accepting applications from Yale faculty to receive $30,000 in 1-year pilot and feasibility project grants to fund diabetes and metabolism-related studies.