Can 'food noise' be measured?

Telehealth giant Ro rolls out a new scale for obesity care that aims to assess which treatments quiet incessant thoughts.

October 25, 2025 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

We want to hear from you! What do you like about this newsletter, and what could we improve? Fill out this quick Weekend Reads survey, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $100 promo code to the STAT merch store. Thanks as always for reading! — Sarah Mupo, director of editorial operations

JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images STAT+ | Can 'food noise' be measured? Telehealth giant Ro rolls out a new scale for obesity care Ro says measuring food noise, or intrusive thoughts about eating, could lead to better obesity treatment. Skeptics say it's a diagnosis to sell a solution. By Elaine Chen Opinion: Would you contract dysentery for $7,300? On the "First Opinion Podcast," Jill Fisher and Jake Eberts discuss their work on compensation for healthy medical research volunteers. By Torie Bosch Adobe STAT+ | Companies tout a novel payment model for obesity drugs, other medications in drive to lower costs Startups are offering employers a way to lower insurance costs by not covering pricey medications, but subsidizing drugs like Wegovy when paid in cash. By Elaine Chen At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry The STAT Summit in Boston made clear the drug industry confronts an era of innovation in the shadow of concerns about public trust and pricing. By Matthew Herper Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century The wave of legislation has cropped up in most states, pushed by people with close ties to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By Associated Press STAT+ | Merck rolls out some showstoppers at a major cancer conference. Its future may depend on them Doctors applauded Merck's impressive Keytruda results and next-gen ADC data at ESMO 2025, a glimpse into how the firm sees its post-Keytruda future. By Andrew Joseph

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Weekend Reads? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser