Low carbohydrate and high fat diets lead to rapid weight gain
A new study conducted in mice, has shown that a diet of low carbohydrates and high fats (LCHF) can result in weight gain and health complications after just 8 weeks. The researchers were aiming to assess the efficacy of a range of diets, and found that this type of diet, which is commonly undertaken as part of the Paleo diet, is actually bad for your overall health. They used mice models, in which both groups were showing pre-diabetes symptoms; one group was put on an LCHF diet. They found that the LCHF group experienced rapid weight gain, impaired glucose intolerance and a rise in insulin levels, their fat mass doubled from 2% to 4%. This is the equivalent of a 100kg person gaining 15kg in just 2 months.
A new study conducted in mice, has shown that a diet of low carbohydrates and high fats (LCHF) can result in weight gain and health complications after just 8 weeks. The researchers were aiming to assess the efficacy of a range of diets, and found that this type of diet, which is commonly undertaken as part of the Paleo diet, is actually bad for your overall health. They used mice models, in which both groups were showing pre-diabetes symptoms; one group was put on an LCHF diet. They found that the LCHF group experienced rapid weight gain, impaired glucose intolerance and a rise in insulin levels, their fat mass doubled from 2% to 4%. This is the equivalent of a 100kg person gaining 15kg in just 2 months.
Read More3.7 million cases of obesity could be prevented by taxing sugar-sweetened drinks
Recently there have been calls for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in the UK. A recent report conducted by Cancer Research UK has predicted that by 2025, a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could reduce obesity by 3.7 million cases. The same report claims that the NHS would save £10 million in direct health and social care costs. It is widely known and publicised that junk food, high in fats and sugars, are large contributors to the obesity crisis. It is therefore thought that by introducing a tax on sugary drinks, people would be less inclined to buy and consume them, and subsequently switch to a healthier choice.
It is estimated that in the UK, adolescents from 11-18 years of age are consuming three times the recommended limit of sugar, with their main source being sugary drinks. This report hopes to highlight this problem to the government. A 20% taxation on sugary drinks could be implemented as part of a society wide response to the obesity epidemic so that it can be tackled effectively.
Read MoreConsumption of fish during pregnancy linked with childhood obesity
Pregnant women who eat fish more than 3 times a week are putting their children at a higher risk of developing obesity than if they did not eat as much of it. This is the conclusion of a new study published in JAMA Paediatrics. Data from 26,184 women were analysed to examine potential associations between maternal fish intake and childhood growth. They found that women who consumed fish more than three times a week gave birth to children with higher BMI levels at ages 2,4, and 6, compared to those who did not eat as much.
The researchers suggest that contamination by environmental pollutants could be the reason for this association. However, the authors did admit that they were not able to collect data on the types of fish consumed, methods of cooking or sources of fish, therefore their hypothesis remains speculative. However, it would seem to agree with the recent guideline released from the USA Food and Drug Administration which suggests that pregnant women should not eat fish more than three times a week due to the possibility of environmental pollutant exposure. Overall, it seems more research will have to be undertaken in order to fully explore and understand the effects of maternal fish consumption and childhood weight.
Read MoreGene variant can influence food choices
A research team from McGill university have recently found that the interplay of children’s socioeconomic environment will have a large impact on girls that carry a particular gene variant (DRD4 VNTR with 7 repeats). Their socioeconomic environment can lead to healthy eating, or it can lead to an unhealthy diet. The gene variant itself is known to be present in up to 20% of the population, making it extremely common. It is also known to be associated with obesity. The researchers found that in girls from a poorer background, in those that carried the variant, they consumed higher fat diets. They found a healthier diet was consumed in girls from a wealthier background in those that were also carriers of the gene variant. Interestingly, boys who also had the same gene variant were not affected in the same way.
The research backs the idea that obesity is not caused by individual factors working separately; rather obesity is the result of a broad interplay of factors, many of which can also lead to a healthier lifestyle, if expressed correctly. The researchers hope to use this information in order to better understand the role that genes play in the development of obesity, and therefore develop increasingly efficient interventions against the epidemic.
Read MorePublic are backing a ban on junk food advertising
A recent YouGov survey has shown that 75% of the public in the UK back a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm. This is to curb the childhood obesity crisis. The survey, which was conducted in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, found that half of all people surveyed would also back a tax on sugary drinks. Overall, 82% of respondents supported government action on childhood obesity and admitted that is was a clear and current problem for the UK.
In the UK, more than one in five children is already overweight or obese when they begin primary school, and this increases to one in three by Year 6. Cancer Research UK are aiming to show that the advertisement of junk food is having a large and deleterious effect on the childhood obesity epidemic due to its behaviour influencing nature. Alison Cox, director of cancer prevention at Cancer Research UK, said that not only will banning and taxing junk food help, but it will also save the NHS billions of pounds, which could be reinvested in other parts of the health service. Clearly the public are beginning to support the idea of increasing bans and taxes in order to protect the health of the nation.
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