Obesity 'link to same-sex parent' (UK)

"There is a strong link in obesity between mothers and daughters and fathers and sons, but not across the gender divide, research suggests. A study of 226 families by Plymouth's Peninsula Medical School, UK, found obese mothers were 10 times more likely to have obese daughters. For fathers and sons, there was a six-fold rise. But in both cases children of the opposite sex were not affected. The researchers believe the link is behavioural rather than genetic. They say the findings mean policy on obesity should be re-though" - BBC

Obesity health risk cause 'found'

Scientists believe they may have uncovered a key reason why obese people have a raised risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes. They blame a specific protein - pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) - which is secreted by fat cells. The Australian and US research on mice suggests blocking some of PEDF's action may reverse some complications - raising hopes of new drug treatments. The study appears in the journal Cell Metabolism - BBC

Women live longer, not better, largely because of obesity and arthritis

"Obesity and arthritis that take root during early and middle age significantly contribute to women's decreased quality of life during their senior years, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. In a study that included 5,888 people over 65, women suffered up to two and a half times more disabilities than men of the same age. Higher rates of obesity and arthritis among these women explained up to 48 percent of the gender gap in disability - above all other common chronic health conditions"

Drinking water could curb obesity (USA)

"It's not just American adults who are faced with an epidemic of obesity. Children and adolescents are becoming overweight at an alarming rate. In fact, Centers for Disease Control statistics show the prevalence of obesity among children between the ages of 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years. But now a study just published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine concludes there's a simple and effective way to reduce the excess intake of calories causing childhood overweight and obesity, as well as contributing to cavities and other health problems. The solution isn't a new drug - it is simply drinking more water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages." - Natural News Network

Study: Morbidly obese sedentary for more than 99 percent of day

"A new study appearing in Clinical Cardiology examines the average fitness level of the morbidly obese (body mass indexes between 40.0 and 49.9). The findings show that the tested population was sedentary for more than 99 percent of the day and, on average, walked less than 2,500 steps per day – far below healthy living guidelines of 10,000 steps per day. The results provide important links between obesity, poor fitness and cardiovascular disease. The study used a precise body sensor to continually measure physical activity, caloric expenditure and movement minute-by-minute over a 72-hour period within their home environments. Following collection of the data, structured cardiorespiratory fitness testing was performed on each subject" - EurekAlert

Longer bouts of exercise deter childhood obesity (Canada)

Children who exercise in bouts of activity lasting five minutes or longer are less likely to become obese than those whose activity levels are more sporadic and typically last less than five minutes each, Queen's University researchers have discovered. Led by Kinesiology and Health Studies professor Ian Janssen, the new study supports Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Youth, which call for children to accumulate at least 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over the course of the day, in bouts of at least five to 10 minutes' duration. Until now there has been no scientific evidence to support the recommendation of sustained, rather than sporadic exercise. 'Even in 60-minute physical education classes or team practices, children are inactive for a large portion of the time and this would not necessarily count as sustained exercise,' says Dr. Janssen. 'When children engage in longer periods of sustained physical activity, there is a smaller likelihood that they will be overweight or obese.' The findings appear in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. - redOrbit

Britons 'in denial' over heart risk from obesity and smoking

Britons at high risk of heart attack are 'in denial' and ignoring doctors' advice to change their lifestyle, says a new survey. More than three-quarters are obese or overweight - with dangerously big stomachs - and most smokers have refused to give up. More than half have out-of-control blood pressure and 40 per cent have high cholesterol levels. Two out of three refuse to accept they are more at risk than other people their age - despite being given warnings by their GP and lots of prescription drugs. The findings from a major European survey are published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. Around one in three middle-aged Britons is at high risk of heart disease because of factors such as obesity, diabetes, family history, high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Mail