Demi
Mon, Aug-20-07, 13:30
The Mail
London, UK
20 August, 2007
Is fat catching? Scientists discover the cold virus that makes you obese
Forget crash diets and expensive gym memberships, the key to keeping trim could be simple as washing your hands.
Scientists have shown that obesity may be caused by a virus that causes colds and sore throats - and is spread through dirty hands.
The research - which supports other studies linking the extremely common adenovirus to weight gain - could hasten the development of an anti-obesity vaccine.
The notion that obesity is contagious could also help explain soaring rates of the condition which raises the risk of a host of potentially fatal illnesses, from heart disease to cancer.
With adult obesity rates nearly quadrupling over the last 25 years in the UK alone, some experts say there must be more than diet and exercise at play.
One possible contender is the adenovirus - the bug behind up to ten per cent of colds and sore throats.
Spread by coughs and sneezes and by dirty hands, the virus can also cause stomach upsets and conjunctivitis.
Previous studies have shown that chickens and mice infected with the virus put on weight more quickly than other creatures, even when they don't eat any more food.
Human studies show that almost a third of obese people carry the virus - compared to just 11 per cent of lean men and women.
Now, US government-funded research has revealed just how the virus might make people pile on the pounds.
Using samples of fatty tissue from people who had undergone liposuction, Louisiana State University researchers showed that the virus could trigger the development of new fat cells in the body.
When stem cells - master cells with the ability to turn into other types of cell and tissue - were infected with adenovirus, they grew into fat cells. Uninfected stem cells, however, did not change in appearance.
Presenting her findings at the American Chemical Society's annual conference yesterday (MON), Dr Magdalena Pasarica (CORR) said:
"'We're not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections.
"Not all infected people will develop obesity. We would ultimately like to identify the underlying factors that predispose some obese people to develop this virus and actually find a way to treat it."
Research is also needed to work out how long the virus stays in the body and how long its fat-enhancing effect lasts once it has gone.
However, recent studies have shown that infected animals remain obese for up to six months after shaking off the virus.
Ultimately, the research could lead to the development of anti-adenovirus drugs or vaccines aimed at combating the obesity epidemic.
British experts said that while it was important to research the causes of obesity, people shouldn't underestimate the importance of diet and exercise.
Dr David Haslam, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "A vaccine won't help people from eating the food put in front of them at fancy restaurants, it isn't going to change people's lifestyle.
"Even if a tiny part of obesity is caused by a virus, the food you put in your mouth and the activity you don't do is key."
Genetic also plays a role, with British scientists recently identifying a rogue gene that raises the risk of obesity by up to 70 per cent.
With almost a quarter of adults obese, Britain is the second fattest nation in the developed world, trailing behind only America in the obesity stakes.
Child obesity rates have trebled over the last 20 years, with 10 per cent of six year olds and 17 per cent of 15 year olds now obese.
By 2050, half of all primary school-age boys and a fifth of girls could be so overweight that their health is at serious risk.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=476557&in_page_id=1774
London, UK
20 August, 2007
Is fat catching? Scientists discover the cold virus that makes you obese
Forget crash diets and expensive gym memberships, the key to keeping trim could be simple as washing your hands.
Scientists have shown that obesity may be caused by a virus that causes colds and sore throats - and is spread through dirty hands.
The research - which supports other studies linking the extremely common adenovirus to weight gain - could hasten the development of an anti-obesity vaccine.
The notion that obesity is contagious could also help explain soaring rates of the condition which raises the risk of a host of potentially fatal illnesses, from heart disease to cancer.
With adult obesity rates nearly quadrupling over the last 25 years in the UK alone, some experts say there must be more than diet and exercise at play.
One possible contender is the adenovirus - the bug behind up to ten per cent of colds and sore throats.
Spread by coughs and sneezes and by dirty hands, the virus can also cause stomach upsets and conjunctivitis.
Previous studies have shown that chickens and mice infected with the virus put on weight more quickly than other creatures, even when they don't eat any more food.
Human studies show that almost a third of obese people carry the virus - compared to just 11 per cent of lean men and women.
Now, US government-funded research has revealed just how the virus might make people pile on the pounds.
Using samples of fatty tissue from people who had undergone liposuction, Louisiana State University researchers showed that the virus could trigger the development of new fat cells in the body.
When stem cells - master cells with the ability to turn into other types of cell and tissue - were infected with adenovirus, they grew into fat cells. Uninfected stem cells, however, did not change in appearance.
Presenting her findings at the American Chemical Society's annual conference yesterday (MON), Dr Magdalena Pasarica (CORR) said:
"'We're not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections.
"Not all infected people will develop obesity. We would ultimately like to identify the underlying factors that predispose some obese people to develop this virus and actually find a way to treat it."
Research is also needed to work out how long the virus stays in the body and how long its fat-enhancing effect lasts once it has gone.
However, recent studies have shown that infected animals remain obese for up to six months after shaking off the virus.
Ultimately, the research could lead to the development of anti-adenovirus drugs or vaccines aimed at combating the obesity epidemic.
British experts said that while it was important to research the causes of obesity, people shouldn't underestimate the importance of diet and exercise.
Dr David Haslam, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "A vaccine won't help people from eating the food put in front of them at fancy restaurants, it isn't going to change people's lifestyle.
"Even if a tiny part of obesity is caused by a virus, the food you put in your mouth and the activity you don't do is key."
Genetic also plays a role, with British scientists recently identifying a rogue gene that raises the risk of obesity by up to 70 per cent.
With almost a quarter of adults obese, Britain is the second fattest nation in the developed world, trailing behind only America in the obesity stakes.
Child obesity rates have trebled over the last 20 years, with 10 per cent of six year olds and 17 per cent of 15 year olds now obese.
By 2050, half of all primary school-age boys and a fifth of girls could be so overweight that their health is at serious risk.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=476557&in_page_id=1774