2026 News Feed
Study Shows Use of Obesity Drugs Alongside Behavioral Intervention Associated with Reduced “Food Noise”
New research presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, shows that use of obesity drugs alongside behavioral interventions leads to a larger drop in so called ‘food noise’ than in those using the behavioral therapy alone. The study is by Dr. Hanim Diktas, postdoctoral researcher at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., and colleagues.
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Pennington Biomedical Contributes to Global Study on Physical Activity and Well-Being
Research from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is part of a major international study published in Nature Human Behaviour that offers new insight into how physical activity and emotional well-being are connected in everyday life. Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim analyzed data sets from more than 8,000 people to investigate how physical activity is related to good mood and positive emotions. For most people, the result was that mood improves with everyday movement. At the same time, people are more physically active when they are feeling better.
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Pennington Biomedical Seeks Volunteers for Study on How the Body Regulates Weight
Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting men and women for a research study designed to better understand how the human body regulates weight. The study, “Experimental Approach to Test Predictions of Body Weight Regulation Models (DIP Study),” will explore how energy intake, energy expenditure and biological responses interact to influence body weight. Findings from this research may help advance scientific understanding of metabolism and inform future approaches to obesity and weight management.
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The Critical Role of Exercise in the GLP-1 Era
As GLP-1 receptor agonists reshape obesity treatment, a new medical perspective published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, underscores a persistent gap in care: integrating exercise into weight management in ways patients can sustain. The perspective, “The Conundrum of Exercise for Weight Management in the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Era,” examines the evolving role of physical activity alongside medications such as semaglutide, liraglutide and other GLP-1-based therapies. Authors included Pennington Biomedical’s Steven B. Heymsfield, M.D., and Harvard University’s Daniel E. Lieberman, Ph.D., and Daniel H. Aslan, Ph.D.
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Pennington Biomedical Convenes Global Experts to Advance Understanding of Ultra-Processed Foods and Health
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center recently hosted a two-day scientific symposium, “Ultra-Processed Food and Health: From Mechanisms to Actions,” bringing together many of the world’s leading experts to examine one of the most pressing topics in nutrition science. The symposium convened an international group of researchers, clinicians and policy experts to explore the rapidly evolving science surrounding ultra-processed foods and their impact on human health. Discussions spanned the biological mechanisms linking ultra-processed foods to chronic disease, the gaps in the available research, the role of the food environment and industry practices, and opportunities for policy and public health action.
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Dr. Hannah Cabré Appointed Assistant Professor and Director of the Aging, Gynecology, and Endocrinology Laboratory
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Hannah Cabré as an Assistant Professor, effective May 1. Dr. Cabré, an emerging leader in the field of nutrition, aging and women’s health, will lead the newly established Aging, Gynecology, and Endocrinology Laboratory, after having trained as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center since May 2023 under mentors including Dr. Eric Ravussin and Dr. Leanne Redman.
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Dr. Hanim Ecem Diktas Shares Her Journey, Research and Advice as 2025 Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Hanim Ecem Diktas, a postdoctoral researcher in Pennington Biomedical’s Ingestive Behavior, Weight Management and Health Promotion Laboratory, has been named the Center’s Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow for 2025. Nominated by Dr. Corby Martin and Dr. John Apolzan, Dr. Diktas has quickly distinguished herself through a strong record of scholarly achievement, including 11 peer-reviewed publications, 22 abstracts and poster presentations, and service as a peer reviewer for five scientific journals.
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Pennington Biomedical Research Advances Understanding of How the Brain Senses Diet to Control Appetite and Metabolism
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center provide critical insight into how the brain and body work together to regulate food intake, energy use and metabolism – offering important new analysis into the biology of obesity and metabolic health. The study, “FGF21 signals through hindbrain neurons to alter food intake and energy expenditure during dietary protein restriction,” published in the journal Cell Reports and led by Pennington Biomedical Associate Executive Director for Basic Science Dr. Christopher Morrison and colleagues, focuses on Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21), a hormone produced by the liver tat helps the body adapt to changes in diet and nutritional status.
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Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Gang Hu Named Fellow of The Obesity Society
Dr. Gang Hu, Director of the Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been named a Fellow of The Obesity Society, or FTOS, one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization. The prestigious FTOS designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly achievement in obesity research, including a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and significant contributions to the field.
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How LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Extends Beyond Louisiana
At Pennington Biomedical, more than 500, nurses, dietitians, biologists and other specialists spend their days asking ever-evolving questions about nutrition and metabolic health. The research conducted in the lab is part of the Center’s larger mission to better understand the root causes of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. But the work, and its impact, doesn’t stop there.
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