Weight Loss Research: ♦ Eating fruits and non-starchy vegetables is linked to less weight gain ♦ A high fat diet leads to overeating because of faulty brain signaling

Diet beverage drinkers compensate by eating unhealthy food A new study that examined the dietary habits of more than 22,000 US adults found that diet-beverage consumers may compensate for the absence of calories in their drinks by binging on extra food that is loaded with sugar, sodium, fat and cholesterol.

Nutritional deficiencies common before weight loss surgery Malnutrition is a known complication of weight loss surgery, but findings from a small study show many obese people may be malnourished before they undergo the procedure.

A high fat diet leads to overeating because of faulty brain signaling

Defective signaling in the brain can cause overeating of high fat foods in mice, leading to obesity, according to a new article. The body controls food intake by balancing a need for food to survive with a desire for food for pleasure. By shifting the balance between these systems, defective brain signaling can cause pleasure to take over, resulting in overeating and obesity.

Eating more fruits and non-starchy vegetables is associated with less weight gain

Increased consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables is inversely associated with weight change. The  study shows differences by type of fruit or vegetable, suggesting that characteristics of these foods influence the strength of their association with weight change.