Marriage triples obesity risk in men; significant ADHD misinformation in popular TikTok videos; FDA warns of hemodialysis bloodline shortages – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Married men are over three times more likely to be obese than unmarried men, with marriage not affecting women's obesity risk similarly.
Factors like increased portion sizes and decreased physical activity contribute to weight gain in married men, while women's obesity risk is linked to depression and health literacy.
Less than half of top ADHD TikTok videos align with clinical standards, highlighting misinformation and the need for accurate mental health education.
The FDA warns of hemodialysis bloodline shortages, advising conservation strategies and prioritization of high-risk patients.

The top news stories in medicine today.

Marriage linked to higher obesity risk in men

New research from the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw reveals that married men are more than three times as likely to be obese than unmarried men. Marriage does not appear to increase obesity risk for women. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, analyzed 2,405 participants and found that marriage also raises the likelihood of being overweight — by 62% in men and 39% in women.

Researchers suggest factors like increased portion sizes, social eating, and decreased physical activity may explain weight gain in married men. Meanwhile, obesity risk in women was linked more to depression, health literacy, and living in smaller communities. Experts emphasize the need for policies that promote healthier food environments and lifestyle choices rather than blaming individuals. The Guardian has more.

A study published in PLOS ONE found that less than half of the top 100 ADHD-related TikTok videos align with clinical diagnostic standards, highlighting widespread misinformation. Researchers from the University of British Columbia discovered that young adults, especially those with ADHD, frequently watch and recommend misleading content, often overestimating ADHD’s prevalence by up to 10 times. Psychologists and students had starkly different perceptions of which videos were credible, underscoring the need for more accurate online mental health education to support those seeking reliable ADHD information.

FDA warns of hemodialysis bloodline shortages, advises conservation strategies

The FDA has announced a supply disruption of hemodialysis bloodlines due to supplier issues, with shortages expected to last through early fall 2025. Health care providers are advised to monitor supplies, implement conservation strategies, and prioritize patients at highest risk. The FDA is working with manufacturers and dialysis providers to mitigate the impact and urges facilities to report shortages or supply concerns.