Normal ages for the onset of puberty in women are between 11 and 14 years of age. Researchers have discovered that when a girl hits a certain weight of approximately 45 kg, the puberty switch is turned on. It seems the more weight a child carries the earlier puberty begins, increasing the risk of disease later in life.
Weight Loss – New Discovery Links Genes With Body Fat | Star Global Tribune
Many scientists are starting to question what is causing widespread obesity that doesn’t seem to be explained by just availability and overconsumption of food and inactivity.
Some alternative reasons for obesity under scrutiny include light pollution, adenovirus (AD36) that correlated with obesity in humans and epigenetic changes brought about by environment. Klimentidis notes if scientists can find why animals become obese it could lead to ways to curb the obesity epidemic in humans.
Explaining Obesity may not be Simple
A number of worrying reports have stated that half of the American population will be suffering with obesity related diabetes by 2020. To put things into perspective, the cost is estimated to be as high as $3.5 trillion. Research at the Center for Health Reform & Modernization found that if current trends continue, these figures will come to fruition within ten years.
Half Of The US Will Be Obese In A Decade
Furious security staff have hit back at pat down searches in place across America, claiming that they hated dealing with obese travelers and those with personal hygiene problems.
There has already been a angry passenger backlash against the measures introduced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
But after being contacted by a travel blog, 17 staff have also expressed their disgust after the policy was put in place last month.
The staff said that they hated having to carry out the body searches, with one claiming that it was worse for him than the passenger.
‘It is not comfortable to come to work knowing full well that my hands will be feeling another man’s private parts, their butt, their inner thigh,’ one told the BoardingArea blog.
‘Even worse is having to try and feel inside the flab rolls of obese passengers and we seem to get a lot of obese passengers!’
Now ‘abused’ TSA staff vent their anger at security patdown searches | Mail Online
Scientists have pinpointed 30 genes that control the timing of puberty in females. They also believe many of these genes also play a role in body weight regulation or fat metabolism.
Scientists Spot Genes Tied to Puberty, Body Fat in Girls – US News and World Report
First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to announce on Monday a major new initiative that would place up to 5,000 salad bars in public schools nationwide, despite uncertainties over how local health inspectors might treat those salad bars and USDA nutrition-tracking rules that could prove a major impediment.
White House to put up to 5,000 salad bars in schools | Grist
Singer Kelly Osbourne has said ditching drugs made her pile on weight.
Osbourne revealed how she tried every drug after being raised with addict dad Ozzy, 61, and her habit was so bad she considered suicide before her mum Sharon came to the rescue, reports dailystar.co.uk.
Kelly, however, said quitting drugs did not mean an end to all her troubles, as she quickly piled on several stones.’I got really fat because I stopped doing drugs. Before I went into rehab, I wanted to die. I didn’t want to be here anymore,’ she said.
Quitting drugs made Kelly Osbourne fat
Michael Gard at the Charles Sturt University, Australia, argues that in their attempts to raise awareness about obesity, researchers and health authorities completely misrepresented the size and nature of the problem.
“Obesity rates have been stable or falling around the western world for over 10 years.
Health in most western countries is improving, while obesity is simply one among the many health challenges we face,” a Charles Sturt statement quotes Gard as saying.
‘Obesity epidemic’ is grossly exaggerated – The Times of India
Scientists have found convincing evidence to support the idea that a “fat gene” affects how hungry someone feels, which has a direct effect on how much food is eaten and how much fat is accumulated in the body.
The study was carried out on genetically modified mice with several copies of the fat gene added to their DNA. The scientists said the findings support the idea that the gene in humans plays a direct role in determining whether someone is likely to become obese.
Obesity: “Fat” Gene Alters Appetite Needs, New Study Shows | ThirdAge
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth took 64 volunteers through a series of tests based on their smelling ability.
The research was led by a Dr Lorenzo Stafford.The test found that people’s sense of smell for food increased in apparent correlation with their BMI. This was heightened after they had just eaten.
The scientists concluded that this could be part of the reason why some people continue eating even after they are full. The thinking being that the smell stimulates a desire for food.
Fat People May Sniff Out Food Better : NewsTime : Health
