With about two in every three adults in the UK classed as overweight or obese, we need to consider ways to overcome the escalating global problem. Obesity has grown to about one billion in the developing world since 1980. It's obvious that people will gain weight if they consume more calories in food than they burn off. However, it's difficult to eat less when your body cries out like a baby demanding food. Perhaps there's another way to use calories.
In the news today, Dutch researchers suggest that using central heating may be contributing to our ballooning waistlines. Although higher temperatures in homes, offices and hospitals provide more comfort, bodies switch off. They no longer need to burn extra calories to keep warm.
A Maastricht University Medical Centre group says 19C (66F) is sufficient to provide the right balance.
In the news today, Dutch researchers suggest that using central heating may be contributing to our ballooning waistlines. Although higher temperatures in homes, offices and hospitals provide more comfort, bodies switch off. They no longer need to burn extra calories to keep warm.
A Maastricht University Medical Centre group says 19C (66F) is sufficient to provide the right balance.
www.huffingtonpost.com In winter, people spend 90% of their time indoors. When we heat our environment for maximum comfort, the energy balance is shifted towards weight gain. A drop in temperature would help burn off some calories. Authorities suggest spending more time outside. A walk or a run in the fresh air would work wonders.
To balance that, studies suggest that in cold indoor temperatures would increase the likelihood of a stroke, apart from the winter mortality effect. So beware if you're at risk.
The University of Stirling used research from 100,000 homes in England. People in houses heated above 23C tended to be slightly thinner, because at this point the body needed to lose heat, and sweating used up energy. Higher temperatures also lowered appetite and the amount of food being consumed. Perhaps we should keep the thermostat turned up high—if we could afford the increased charges.
A researcher from the UK's National Obesity Forum said that a cold environment switches on brown fat deposits, which are said to generate 300 times more heat than any organ in the body. This is the no-cost way to achieve a slim waist.
To balance that, studies suggest that in cold indoor temperatures would increase the likelihood of a stroke, apart from the winter mortality effect. So beware if you're at risk.
The University of Stirling used research from 100,000 homes in England. People in houses heated above 23C tended to be slightly thinner, because at this point the body needed to lose heat, and sweating used up energy. Higher temperatures also lowered appetite and the amount of food being consumed. Perhaps we should keep the thermostat turned up high—if we could afford the increased charges.
A researcher from the UK's National Obesity Forum said that a cold environment switches on brown fat deposits, which are said to generate 300 times more heat than any organ in the body. This is the no-cost way to achieve a slim waist.
listverse.com When we're born, we have an abundance of brown fat in our bodies, wrapped round the central organs to keep us warm, to help us adapt to life outside the womb. The brown fat content of our bodies decreases as we age. Scientists have discovered that this type of fat is a good thing because it produces lots of heat by burning calories. Unlike white fat, which clings to our hips and expands our ageing waistlines, brown fat keeps the weight off.
Studies show that brown fat is the body's natural thermal resource. The heat kept us warm as babies and is still capable of that job now. The bonus would be losing weight.
However, severe cold weather can have drastic effects on older people with existing health problems. People aged over 65 are 7 times more likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of low temperatures compared with those aged 18 to 44.
Studies show that brown fat is the body's natural thermal resource. The heat kept us warm as babies and is still capable of that job now. The bonus would be losing weight.
However, severe cold weather can have drastic effects on older people with existing health problems. People aged over 65 are 7 times more likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of low temperatures compared with those aged 18 to 44.
chronicfatigue.about.com Also, many health problems have a hidden link to the cold, which do not manifest symptoms until after the severe weather has passed. These conditions lead to strokes, hypothermia or respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia which are directly caused by the impact of the cold.
Okay. I admit I'm over 70 years with unrealistic expectations of my body image. I want my 18 inch waistline back! But as soon as my heating cuts off, I start to fidget. My fingers and legs feel the cold first. As my fingers cool down, they stiffen and turn icy. Although I want my brown fat to power up, I'm not sure I'm ready to venture into the 19C (66F) halfway-house between warm and cold. How about you?
Okay. I admit I'm over 70 years with unrealistic expectations of my body image. I want my 18 inch waistline back! But as soon as my heating cuts off, I start to fidget. My fingers and legs feel the cold first. As my fingers cool down, they stiffen and turn icy. Although I want my brown fat to power up, I'm not sure I'm ready to venture into the 19C (66F) halfway-house between warm and cold. How about you?
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