News and Opinion
There are stories relating to obesity breaking around the world every day. The stories below are those where journalists haver sought NOF opnion/quotes or summaries of research on which NOF may have a view. Where possible the source of the stories are identified by the newspaper banner or a URL in red.
NOF Opinion will always be identified in italics.
Fat and fit live as long as slim
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Toronto researchers are challenging the idea that all obese individuals need to lose weight. They say that trying - and faiiling - to lose weight may be more detrimental than simply staying at an elevated body weight. Healthier obese people were generally heavier in early childhood and were happier carrying extra weight. [ source: Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism]
Fortunately, the researchers stress that all these individuals were also more likely to be physically active and consume a healthy diet. Their research co-incides with this week's timely reminder that physical activity is key: even as little as 15 minutes burst per day can add 3yrs to your lifespan and reduce the risk of an early death by 14%. It confirms that the more you do [particularly 100 minutes if you can manage it brings even bigger health gains [source The Lancet]
Another reason for being physcally active is that watching TV could lead to a premature death. Australian researchers conclude that every hour watching takes 22 minutes off your life and, they say, the stats would be the same across the world. Viewing for an average of six hours a day can cut short your life by 5 years. Now that you've read this, consider a walk round the block before settling down to to-day's telly [source: British Journal of Sports Medicine].