Throughout November, the Vari Hall Rotunda will play host to displays and demonstrations featuring our faculty and graduate researchers. Drop by between 10 am and 2 pm each Wednesday to learn what 91ÑÇÉ«'s researchers are doing.

The Research Month index on 91ÑÇÉ«'s Research website contains complete information about the researchers, research centres and research support groups participating in the event.

Social sciences and humanities research – Nov. 3

Confirmed participants include:

• Institute for Science & Technology Studies
• 91ÑÇÉ« Centre for Education & Community

Science and engineering research – Nov. 10

Confirmed participants include:

Health research – Nov.17

Confirmed participants include:

• Professor Joseph DeSouza, Faculty of Health, Department of Psychology
• Professor , Faculty of Health, School of Nursing
• Professor Jennifer Kuk, Faculty of Health, School of Kinesiology & Health Science
• Professor Gail Mitchell, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing
• Professor Jennine Rawana, Faculty of Health, Department of Psychology
• Professor Rose Steele, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing
• LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence & Conflict Resolution
• 91ÑÇÉ« Institute for Health Research

Fine and performing arts research — Nov. 24

Confirmed participants include:

Want to participate?

Do you have completed works, prototypes, technology, or works in progress that you could demonstrate? Do you have graduate/undergraduate students working with you who could assist and help talk about the work? If you have other ideas, we would love to hear about them.

Interested faculty members or research centres should contact Elizabeth Monier-Williams in the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation at ext. 21069 or eamw@yorku.ca. Please note that space is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Other research-related events

These research-related events will also be running in November:

• Nov. 6 – , featuring Professor Poonam Puri from Osgoode Hall Law School and Professor Steven Gaetz from the Faculty of Education among other speakers.
• Nov. 10 – Toward a Behavioral Neuroscience of Parenting, sponsored by the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Health.
• Nov. 24 & 25 – at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (by invitation only).
• Nov. 26 – Campus visit from Suzanne Fortier, president of the .
• Nov. 30 – Campus visit from David Malone, president of .

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer

The post November is Research Month: 91ÑÇÉ« celebrates with a series of events appeared first on Research & Innovation.

Being seriously overweight will cut your life short, even if you experience no major health problems as a result of your condition, according to a new study by researchers in 91ÑÇɫ’s Faculty of Health.

The study examined the mortality risk of more than 6,000 Americans aged 18 to 65 years over a nine-year span using data from the Third National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey.

Researchers compared metabolically normal obese people with those who had multiple metabolic risk factors known to increase one’s risk for early mortality. Surprisingly, although both groups were at elevated mortality risk, there were no significant differences in the mortality risk between the groups.

"Our findings challenge the idea of a ‘healthy’ obese person," says the study lead Jennifer Kuk, a professor in 91ÑÇɫ’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science. "It doesn’t matter if you currently have no other medical problems. You are still at a similar risk level as someone who has the classic disease states triggered by obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular problems."

Right: Jennifer Kuk

For the purposes of the study, obesity is classified as anyone with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adults. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.

Respondents were defined as metabolically normal or abnormal based on measures of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and triglycerides. Only 1.3 per cent of respondents were classified as obese but metabolically normal.

"It’s important to note that metabolicallynormal obesity is an extremely rare subtype, but when it does occur, treatment is absolutely necessary," says Kuk.

"We already know that in addition to diabetes and heart disease, obese individuals are also more likely to die from trauma and have cancer diagnosed at more advanced stages. This research reinforces the seriousness of this condition, and highlights the need for both treatment and prevention," she says.

The study, "Are Metabolically Normal but Obese Individuals at Lower Risk for All-Cause Mortality?", appears in the December issue of Diabetes Care, published by the American Diabetes Association. It is co-authored by Chris Ardern, a professor in 91ÑÇɫ’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science.

From YFile - 91ÑÇÉ«'s daily e-bulletin

The post 91ÑÇÉ« study examines mortality risk associated with obesity appeared first on Research & Innovation.