The following were identified in the press during September 2008 as obesity causes:

 

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Fat cells: Many people don't understand that fat cells just don't up and disappear. They actually empty and compact themselves. It turns out that we're chock full of baby fat cells that regulate fat storage. The bright ones would like to modify the fat cells to become more insulin sensitive. Nothing like make it easy.

Graff said, "We know that skinnier fat cells send out good signals and fatter fat cells send out bad signals. TZDs alter them so that they are more insulin-sensitive."  

These are the stories in June 2008 detailing the causes of obesity.

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Serotonin causes obesity: "A study on worms shows that serotonin levels in the nervous system influence feeding and fat. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, also acts independently to control eating and what your body does with those calories once they’ve been consumed, the study said."

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Genes cause obesity: "Our results confirm the association between FTO and fat mass and indicate that the 5-LO promoter modifies the association between FTO and lipid levels."

One of the many factors swirling around obesity is the economics factor. If poorer people are more obese due to limited food choices, then why do we obesity increasing in other countries of poor means?

A couple of articles today discuss the economic causes of obesity and they really sound good. Of course, eating too much causes obesity, but why the stage is set for over eating will be debated forever. These two articles, one in The Desert Sun and the other in Slate, look at the economic conditions our society finds itself in.

The Desert Sun article is actually an op-ed piece. In it they say:

I have no idea who the Center for Consumer Freedom are or their purpose, but I do know they are funded by restaurants and food industries. I mention this only as a prelude to the article entitled, "Blame The Couch, Not Food Industry, For Obesity." Hold your nose, because it gets worse than the title. 

Let's step back first and look at their website. Choose the Obesity Debate section. And I thought I was carrying the torch for obesity defiance. At least I realize obesity is a societal, health and personal issue. The folks at Consumer Freedom would like you to believe obesity really doesn't exist. While I do like and agree with their stance on government intervention into food choices, I don't think I can accept some of their opinions. 

January 2008

Not getting enough sleep causes obesity

This reduced insulin sensitivity was comparable to the effect of gaining 20 or 30 pounds. Earlier studies found that not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.

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Surviving childhood lukemia causes obesity

Childhood Leukemia Survivors At Risk for Harmful Obesity

The International Herald Tribune has a story concerning obesity rates in India and their cause. It looks at the outsourcing boom that has swept India as a reason for their increased obesity rates. With the latest news that sitting shuts down fat burning enyzmes, this seems to make sense. 

The article is a good, quick read, but the there is an issue with the information presented. It seems the Indian government isn't any better at staking the obesity issue than the US government. The article notes:

Fascinating.

Recent research at the University of Missouri has shown that excessive sitting leads to obesity. This is one of my pet reasons for why obesity rates have surged in the United States. It's also one of the reason people who are obese and exercise may not lose weight.

The research was completed by Dr. Marc Hamilton at the University of Missouri. He says:

The enzymes in blood vessels of muscles responsible for 'fat burning' are shut off within hours of not standing. Standing and moving lightly will re-engage the enzymes, but since people are awake 16 hours a day, it stands to reason that when people sit much of that time they are losing the opportunity for optimal metabolism throughout the day.

Yesterday an article appeared entitled, "Obesity goes global — blame prosperity, bad habits, fast food." It came out of the Orlando Sentinel and focused on looking at various reason obesity is becoming a global issue.

I'm going to ignore the fast food and bad habits angle, since it's dubious to think this is a cause. The real gem in this article is prosperity. (There is a gentleman name Matt Owen who supplies a success story in the article. I tried to find him online for an interview, but was unable to. Hopefully, he searches for his name and comes across this. If so, Matt, can you email us?)

There have been several prominent researchers espousing an economic cause of obesity. One the leading voices is Dr. Adam Drewnowski of the University of Washington. Dr. Drewnowski is the director of the Exploratory Center for Obesity Research.

Dr. Drewowski is one the obesity researchers who really dig into the numbers concerning obesity. He's had a couple of great articles published about his theories, including one in the New York Times.