Intestinal bacteria: another cause of obesity?

In the past 30 years, the number of obese children and adults in the U.S. has literally exploded. As scientists search for an answer to the problem, they are discovering that obesity is not a simple issue, but a complex, multi-factorial disease with a variety of causes. Some causes are obvious, such as too much food and too little exercise, but there are several other less well-known theories. In recent years, the idea that microbes might cause obesity has gained a foothold. Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, head of the nation’s first department of viruses and obesity, invented the term “infectobesity” to describe the emerging field. His particular interest is in the relationship between obesity and adenoviruses, which cause respiratory tract congestion and some of the “common” colds. Other scientists have been studying the role of microbes in the gut as possible causes of obesity—a theory given more credence by a new report published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Share and Enjoy:

Women’s life expectancy could be cut short due to obesity

Obesity is still a growing problem in the United States, contributing heart disease, high blood pressure and a whole host of health problems to both men and women. But, for women, being obese in middle age could cut the chances of making it to their golden years in good health by approximately 80 percent, which should make you stand up and take notice, not to mention stand up and exercise. Researchers studied more than 17,000 female nurses with an average age of 50 in the U.S. All of these women were healthy at the beginning of the study in 1976. The researchers then monitored the women’s weight, with other health changes, every two years until 2000. For every increase of one point in their Body Mass Index (BMI), the women had a 12 percent lower chance of living to age 70 in good health when they were compared with women who were thin. The researchers defined “healthy survival” as not only being free of any chronic disease, but also having enough physical and mental ability to perform daily tasks such as housework, shopping for groceries, or walking up one flight of stairs. Share and Enjoy: