Explanations for the obesity epidemic and our collective overweight status aren’t only found in people’s diets, according to new researchers. A group of U.S. researchers say that what we eat might be too simple an explanation. Other, more mysterious factors are at work.
Another important question is this: why do we eat too much and expend too little energy? Playing off this question, the study sought to find suspects that might be contributing to the obesity epidemic.
The paper was just published and is called “Canaries in the coal mine: A cross-species analysis of the plurality of obesity epidemics.” It suggests that the root cause of obesity may be much more complicated than we have long presumed.
First, the researchers noticed that, in a group of small primates, the population as a whole showed pronounced weight gain over time. There appeared to be no compelling reason. The nature of the diet had changed, but when the collective weight gain occurred was still unknown.
Next, they tracked down previous studies of mammals that had lasted at least a decade. They included data on rats, monkeys, chimpanzees, dogs and cats. All sets of animals had seen overall weight gain in the population over time. Nearly all sets of animals had seen obesity rates rise.
There was no single reason for any of the issues of weight gain. Some might have started eating richer food, some had become less active, but some had the exact opposite scenarios. But all showed an overall weight gain. From this arose the intriguing possibility that obesity might have unidentified factors at play.
But what are they? Here are just three candidates that the researchers identified as potentially playing a role in weight gain:
1. Light: Studies have shown that subtle changes in the amount of time spent in light or dark environments changes eating habits. It’s possible that light pollution might play a role in humans.
2. Viruses: Infection with adenovirus-36 is associated with obesity. Could this virus, or other infections, be contributing to obesity in populations?
3. Genetic changes: Genetic modifications brought about by any number of environmental cues such as stress, resource availability, or even climate change could play a factor in weight changes.
The bottom line, the researchers say, is that obesity is a problem that most likely has many causes and will need many solutions.
Next Post:
Is Moderate Drinking Good for Your Heart? Previous Post:
The Vaccination Debate ContinuesTags: general health news, Health News, obesity
