Being obese, particularly extremely or morbidly obese boosts risk of death from viruses and viral diseases like H1n1 or swine flu infection, a new study in the Feb 1, 2011 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The study led by Janice K. Louie and colleagues of California Department of Public Health in Richmond, California showed about 50 percent of Californians aged 20 or older who died from H1N1 or were hospitalized for the infection in 2009 were obese.

foodconsumer.org – Obesity boosts, vitamin D cuts swine flu death risk

Scientists have discovered the health compound, a polyphenol, found in grapes stimulates an important fat regulating hormone known as adiponectin that is linked to obesity.

The hormone has many health benefits, some of which have recently been discovered. Adiponectin stimulates appetite, helps control blood sugar levels and is found to be lower in obese individuals. In mice fed a high fat diet, higher levels of adiponectin made them resistant to obesity.

Resveratrol in grapes stimulates obesity fighting hormone