0 Modern Climate Control Linked to Weight Gain and Obesity

(Article first published as Is Your Warm House The Reason You Can’t Lose Weight? on Technorati.)

We are all well aware that eating too much and insufficient exercise are important factors that determine our weight and drive the current obesity epidemic. Weight gain and loss is a product of many other lifestyle factors including stress, sleep and even the temperature of your house. A review published in the journal Obesity Reviews examines the link between reduced exposure to the cold and obesity in the UK and US.

We Burn More Calories When Cold

It’s not something we think a lot about when we’re sitting in our favorite easy chair in front of a warm fire in our well insulated house during winter. We can easily control our environment with a turn of the thermostat. In fact, the only deterrent to staying warm for most people is fear of the fuel oil or electric bill at the end of the month.

Historically, humans have lived in cold climates where they had to endure bitter cold for extended periods. Our body must burn calories at a much higher level to keep us warm during these times, and the increased metabolism helps to prevent overweight and obesity. This study review attempts to explain that seasonal cold helps to regulate energy balance and can help maintain normal body weight on a population level.

Indoor Temperatures Have Increased Over the Past Several Decades

Widespread access to central heating and air conditioning contribute to a restriction of the temperature variations experienced under natural conditions. Humans have evolved to acclimate to mild thermal stress, as our metabolic rate can easily adjust to differing temperature zones. When we’re cold, our heart rate and blood pressure increase as blood vessels close to the skin constrict in response to reduced temperatures.

The net effect is more calories burned for a longer period of time and this translates into lower body weight. Researchers have found that we experience a much smaller range of temperature variation than we did just 30 years ago. While this may not fully explain the skyrocketing overweight and obesity rates now seen across the US and UK, it does provide an important clue to how our environment can impact our ability to maintain a normal weight.

External Temperature Can Modify Our Fat Structure

Over the past decade, medical researchers have gained a much better understanding about the two distinctly different types of adipose or fat cells that we accumulate. White fat is metabolically active tissue that accumulates most commonly around the hips and mid-section of the body. Excess amounts of white fat are associated with inflammation, metabolic disease, heart disease and cancer.

Brown fat is a thermally active type of tissue that actually burns calories for energy and is associated with a higher metabolic rate and lower weight range. Researchers from the Obesity Reviews study found that when people spend more time in a climate controlled environment they produce less brown fat and metabolize fewer calories at rest. This was found to result in a tendency to gain weight, especially when coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.

The researchers concluded "Research into the environmental drivers behind obesity, rather then the genetic ones, has tended to focus on diet and exercise -- which are undoubtedly the major contributors. However, it is possible that other environmental factors, such as winter indoor temperatures, may also have a contributing role. This research theore raises the possibility for new public health strategies to address the obesity epidemic." The bottom line is to caully control calories and remain physically active. Be mindful that external environmental factors also contribute to your ability to successfully lose weight.

0 Overeating impairs brain insulin function can lead to diabetes and obesity

New research from Mount Sinai School of Medicine sheds light on how overeating can cause a malfunction in brain insulin signaling, and lead to obesity and diabetes. Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease) and his research team found that overeating impairs the ability of brain insulin to suppress the breakdown of fat in adipose tissue.

In previous research Dr. Buettners team established that brain insulin is what suppresses lipolysis, a process during which triglycerides in fat tissue are broken down and fatty acids are released. When lipolysis is unrestrained, fatty acid levels are elevated, which can initiate and worsen obesity and type 2 diabetes. The current study is published online in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. The first study was published in the February 2, 2011 issue of Cell Metabolism.

"We are interested in understanding why people who eat too much eventually develop diabetes. Our recent studies suggest that once you overeat, your brain develops insulin resistance. Since brain insulin controls lipolysis in adipose tissue by reducing sympathetic nervous system outflow to adipose tissue, brain insulin resistance causes increased spillage of fatty acids from adipose tissue into the blood stream," said Dr. Buettner.

Increased fatty acids induce inflammation and that, in turn, can further worsen insulin resistance, which is the core defect in type 2 diabetes. Fatty acids also increase glucose production in the liver which raises blood glucose levels, Dr. Buettner explained. "Its a vicious cycle and while we knew that this can begin with overeating, this study shows that it is really the brain that is harmed first which then starts the downward spiral."

In this study, researchers fed rats a high-fat diet comprised of 10 percent lard for three consecutive days. This increased their daily caloric intake by up to 50 percent compared to the control rats that were fed a regular low fat diet. The researchers then infused a tiny amount of insulin into the brains of both groups of rats that they had shown in earlier studies to suppress release of glucose from the liver and fatty acids from fat tissue. They found that overeating impaired the ability of brain insulin to suppress glucose release from the liver and lipolysis in fat tissue. Similarly, short-term overeating in humans is known to produce comparable insulin resistance which could be explained by brain insulin resistance.

"When you overeat, your brain becomes unresponsive to these important clues such as insulin, which puts you on the road to diabetes. We believe that what happens in rats also happens in humans" said Dr. Buettner.

Dr. Buettners team plans to investigate methods of improving brain insulin function that could restrain lipolysis and improve insulin resistance.

0 The Girl More Risk in Obesity

The Girl More Risk in Obesity - Obesity has now become one of serious diseases in the 21st century. Both parents and children have the same risk of experiencing obesity. Some questions also often arise related to this disease, obesity really is a hereditary disease?

A latest research shows, children of parents with obese have a higher likelihood to be obese. But unique, girls are more likely to be obese than boys.

The findings are based on observations during the 20-years by scientists at Glasgow University, Scotland. The study involved nearly 1,500 families in the West of Scotland and found that 24 percent of children will be obese just like their parents. And only 9 percent of children who are not overweight than parents with obesity.

The data also showed that 17 percent of mothers with obesity, will be at risk of having a daughter with obesity as well, namely by 20 percent. This figure is much greater if you see the proportion between the father and son or mother to son.

Researchers confirmed, although genetic factors have a role related to obesity, gender differences can also influence. The study is published in European Journal of Epidemiology.

The research concludes that women are more likely to have weight similar to their mothers, and experts believe that this could be due to a lack of maternal skills in food processing and food choices are wrong.

"A family with a background of obese parents, their children will tend to have bigger bodies. There is a strong relationship between the weight of a mother and daughters rather than sons," said Dr.. Jennifer Logue, clinical professor of biochemistry and metabolic medicine of Glasgow University.

0 Obesity People Easier Dehydration

Obesity People Easier Dehydration - About two-thirds of the human body weight is water weight. But to those who are overweight or obese, the total water in the body lower than those of normal weight.

Because the water content in their fat cells is lower than the water content in the muscle cells, then the obese person is more prone to dehydrate. Unfortunately, though it was dehydration, but the signs are not very clear and should be cautious in assessing the state of water in less obesity.

In the book Water For Health, written by Professor Hardinsyah and his friends, for the water needs of obese people are advised two glasses more than the people who are not overweight. Besides being easy to factor the lack of fluids, adequate water consumption will also help you lose weight.

"It is wrong to drink plenty of water is called will cause obesity. Quite the contrary because the water contains no calories. Drinking water before meals will also cause a feeling of satiety so your calorie intake can be reduced," he said in the seminar titled Meet Balanced Nutrition, Inadequate Water Supplies, in Jakarta (19/1).

0 Obesity Increases Risk Kidney Cancer

Obesity Increases Risk Kidney Cancer | The result of cancer studies center in England show, Obesity increase the risk of kidney cancer until 70 %. Lets compare by smoke that increase the risk of kidney cancer as big as 50 percent.

The causes, obesity trigger hormonal increases that can increase the cancer risk. The England cancer studies center estimate 25 percent cases of kidney cancer in man and 22 percent of kidney cancer in woman causes by fat.

The number of cases of kidney cancer in England in 1975 only 2300 cases increased to 9,000 cases in 2009. Over the last 35 years, obesity rates rose 70 percent in men and 60 percent of women in that country.

According to Director of Information Center for Cancer Studies Sara Hiom to the BBC, Friday (30/3), obesity is also a risk factor for some cancers, like breast cancer, colon, and cervical cancer. Kidney cancer now ranks eighth most common cancer society. The presence of blood in the urine can be used as the initial sign. If detected early, kidney cancer can be cured with surgery.

Kidney cancer expert, who is also professor at the University of Cambridge, England, Tim Eisen, say, 10 years, the Center for Cancer Studies to develop new drugs that damage blood flow to the kidney cancer. However, these drugs only help control the disease, not cure.

0 Obesity Causes and Treatment

OBESITY

* A bodily condition characterized by excessive deposition or
   storage of fat in adipose tissue is called obesity.

* Obesity can occur at any age in either sex.

* Among women, obesity is liable to occur after pregnancy and
   at menopause.

* Obesity is a serious health hazard as the extra fat puts a strain on
   the heart, kidneys, and liver as well as hips, knees, and ankles.

* Overweight persons are susceptible to several diseases like
   coronary thrombosis, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes,
   arthritis, gout, and liver and gallbladder disorders.

CAUSES

* The chief cause of obesity, most often is overeating.

* Obesity is sometimes also the result of disturbances of the thyroid
   or pituitary glands.

TREATMENT

* The chief consideration in this treatment should be the balances
   selection of foods which provide the maximum essential nutrients
   with the least number of calories

* The patient should undertake a juice fast for 7 to 10 days.
   Juices of lemon, grapefruit, orange, pineapple, cabbage,
   and celery may be taken during this period.

* Juice fasts should be repeated at regular intervals of two months
   or so till the desired reduction in weight is achieved.

* After juice fast, the patient should spend a further four for five days
   on an all-fruit diet, taking three meals of fresh juicy fruits such as
   oranges, grapes,pineapple, and papaya.

* Never eat until hungry.

* Do not eat when tired, angry, or worried.

* Ingestion of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity.
   Start with about 10 grams of honey with hot water.
   The dose can be gradually increased.

* Another effective remedy for obesity is an exclusive lemon juice diet.

* Cabbage is considered to be an effective home remedy for obesity.

* A 100 grams if cabbage yields only 27 kilo calories of energy while the
   same quantity of wheat bread will yield about 240 calories.

* Exercise is an important part of weight reduction plan.

* Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed
   by running, swimming, rowing, and other outdoor sports.

0 How to Avoid Child From Obesity

How to Avoid Child From Obesity - Today many families who find it difficult to maintain a normal weight and healthy children. The best way is to get children to eat healthy foods and beverages.

To get children a healthy diet should be exemplified from the parents and the whole family. With examples from all the families, the children will be more receptive to the habit. Besides the food should be presented with an attractive appearance tastes of children, because children are usually very fond of food that looks attractive or sweet foods, for example: as advertised in various media.

Sweet foods are high in sugar, which can cause children in obese. A child is considered obese if his weight was 20 percent exceeded healthy weight.

Obesity can be caused by eating more calories than needed for growth and also because the physical activity of children who are too little.

Causes of obesity in children

1. Heredity
When one or both parents obese, then their children also tend to be obese.

2. Physical activity is less
If children spend much time in front of the television, games, or computer can lead to unused calories converted to fat

3. Overeating
In families whose family members no history of obesity, obesity is generally caused due to excess eating.

Avoiding obesity in children

1. Provide a healthy diet in children
The diet includes foods that are healthy nutritious and balanced diet, including eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Be sure to calculate the calorie intake, according to the age of the child.

2. Limit sugary drinks no more than one serving per day.
Encourage children to drink more water, so that children do not consume too many sugary drinks.

3. Make a habit of a healthy diet for the family.
Eating together at the dinner table with a menu of healthy food can get children to eat healthy foods. Surely a healthy diet is also valid for all family members in order to be a good example for children.

4. Do not send children to eat when not hungry or to spend all the foods that are already on the plate. Allow the child to eat slowly and stop eating when they begin to feel full. Do not be forced to spend the food already taken the child to the plate that he used.

5. If you want to give gifts to children, offer a reward other than food.
If giving gifts to children with food may make the child too oriented towards food. So it is best if you will give gifts to children should not be food.

6. Limit fast food.
At fast food is usually high in calories. Therefore, when children often eat fast food, can cause obesity.

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