Weight is a word which comes again and again in the minds of so many men and women today. We are ready to do anything and everything to get the right shape and the right weight. But the purposes vary greatly. Some of us want to look good while others want to stay fit. But the terminology involves a lot of other concepts apart from the usual ones - diet and exercise. Here are a few facts on weight which you need to know:
- Obesity is Hereditary: Your genes are responsible for your weight in some way. Analyses of the distributions of the degree of obesity among family members suggest that a few genes have a discernible effect on fat metabolism rate. In a study of 2,000 candidates, scientists discovered the FTO gene related to obesity. A person with the FTO variant is likely on average to weigh 3 kg (6.6 pounds) more than a person who does not have the FTO variant. But you don't need to get disappointed since there are many people who have been able to maintain an ideal weight with proper efforts.
- Weight Depends on Fat Cell Count: Your weight is related to the number of fat cells you have. The higher the number of fat cells, the greater is your tendency to gain weight. Such type of obesity is called "Hyperplastic obesity". Fat cells are formed in the developing fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy. At the age of 2 years, they multiply and then stay constant till the time of puberty. When a person reaches puberty, they again multiply. After puberty, the number of fat cells generally remains the same. A study conducted by researchers found that although obese people had more fat cells than lean people, but the number of fat cells held steady in adulthood, regardless of whether people were lean or obese. Losing weight only leads to shrinking of fat cells, but the fat cell count remains the same.
- Higher BMR is Related to Ideal Weight: Studies have shown that people with higher BMR (basal metabolic rate) are closer to their ideal weight whereas people with slower metabolic rate show a tendency to gain weight or to become obese. Hence boosting your metabolism will help you to increase the weight loss rate.
- Sleep More to Lose More: Experts believe that adults require seven to eight hours of sleep every night. How much you sleep and quite possibility the quality of your sleep can affect the hormones, leptin and ghrelin, that influences your appetite and thus your weight. Ghrelin, which is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates appetite, while leptin, produced in fat cells, sends a signal to the brain when you are full. A study conducted by researchers at University of Chicago found that sleep deprivation triggers a decrease in leptin (which means you don't feel as satisfied after you eat) and an increase in ghrelin (which means your appetite is stimulated).
- Stress Increases Weight: When you are under stress, your body releases stress hormones. As an auto effect you start craving for carbs and sweets, which produce a calming effect by way of relaxation. The body then starts storing fat. Be happy to lower down the level of stress and to prevent weight gain!
- The Obesity Virus has a Role to Play: A link to weight gain was uncovered when Wisconsin University researchers injected some viruses in chickens and found that certain strains of viruses made them gain weight. Now further research indicates that a strain of adenovirus called the adenovirus-36 or Ad-36 has a direct effect on human fat cells. Infection of adult stem cells from human fat triggers their transition into pre-fat cells, which can hold much more fat than normal pre-fat cells. Various strains of adenovirus are responsible for a host of ailments, from gastrointestinal troubles to upper respiratory tract problems. However, Ad-36 as not been linked to any specific disease.
- Antioxidants can Trim You Down: Antioxidants can not only help prevent the damage caused to cells by free radicals (which over time can lead to mutations such as cancer), but they can also inhibit the formation of fat from fat cells, suggests a new research from Taiwan. As part of a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 15 phenolic acids and six flavonoids (all antioxidants) were studied for their ability to affect fat cells in laboratory cultures of mouse cells. It was found that antioxidants made fat cells cut their production of triglycerides, which are a heart hazard, by curbing an enzyme needed to make triglycerides. So, include more of antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, and green tea in your diet.
We always dream of staying in a good shape while maintaining a healthy weight. But we give very little importance to the ways that will lead us to these goals. Various researches are coming up with new facts on weight and weight loss. Thus, we need to keep ourselves updated on the various "Weight Facts" in order to utilize the effects of diet and exercise to the brim!
