NEW YORK, June 27: ‘Super-sized’ fast food meals and TV time shouldn’t take all the blame for the US obesity problem, according to a research review published on Tuesday.
In fact, a group of researchers contend, a number of aspects of modern living — from lack of sleep to exposure to environmental chemicals to living with air conditioning — may be feeding Americans’ weight woes.
Writing in the International Journal of Obesity, they argue that obesity research and prevention efforts need to look beyond the ‘Big Two’ — food industry practices, like beefed-up portion sizes and added sugar; and reduced physical activity from factors such as cuts in school gym classes.
Dr. David B. Allison of the University of Alabama said the evidence linking obesity to food industry marketing and lack of gym class is circumstantial.
It’s equally plausible that a range of other factors are also involved, Allison and his colleagues point out.
Lack of sleep is one, they say. Research in animals and humans suggests that chronic sleep deprivation boosts appetite and eating, and studies also show that US adults and children are sleeping less than they used to.
Another factor potentially weighing Americans down is air conditioning. The body burns calories when forced to regulate its own temperature and, Allison noted, people tend to eat less in hot, humid weather.—Reuters
