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Latest on obesity
Sleep deprivation could contribute to obesity by boosting levels of the hormone, ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, as well as inhibiting leptin, a hormone that normally switches off hunger
Scientists studied healthy males to discover the impact of acute sleep deprivation on food intake. When the men slept for only four hours, they consumed 22 percent more en- ergy (559 kcals) than when they en- joyed a decent night’s rest of eight hours. They were also slightly more active after sleep deprivation, but not enough to offset the additional calorie intake. The study could have implications for night shift workers. Using data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, researchers have in- vestigated genetic, behavioural and environmental factors which pre- dispose children to obesity. It was discovered that rapid weight gain in early childhood was most likely when children had a higher body mass index at age three years, were from Bangladeshi or black ethnic groups, had overweight parents, or a mother who smoked during preg- nancy. Such factors may need to be
Latest on omega-3s
There is a large evidence base linking regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids with heart health. A new UK study has found that intakes of omega-3 fatty acids may also improve the health of blood vessels.
In a cross-over trial, 25 healthy subjects were randomised to receive a control meal or omega-3 rich meal on two occasions. Arterial stiffness, a measure of the health of the arteries, was assessed before and after the meals. It was found that arterial stiff- ness and circulating non-esterified fat- ty acids were significantly lower after the omega-3 meal, which contained 4.7g EPA + DHA. It is worth noting that this level of omega-3 is significantly higher than the 0.45g per day recom- mended by UK diet officials. At the other end of the age spec- trum, DHA has been tested in infants for its impact on eye development. In a double-blind trial, healthy US in- fants (n=349) were randomised to re- ceive one of four infant formula for a
four-month period; (1) DHA-free; (2) 0.32% DHA; (3) 0.64% DHA; (4) 0.96% DHA. The DHA-containing formula also contained arachidonic acid. Visual acuity, a marker of sharpness of vision, was measured at 12 months of age. The results showed that visual acuity was significantly better in the infants receiving the DHA-containing formula, at any concentration, com- pared with the group receiving the DHA-free formula. The results support a large body of evidence which suggests that DHA is vital for normal infant development. For more information see: Chong MFF et al (2010) Clinical Nutrition [Epub ahead of print]; Birch EE et al (2010) American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 91, pages 848-859.
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considered when developing obesity prevention programmes. On a final note, scientists have tested whether snacking regularly on small meals is best for regulating body weight. Obese adults (n=16) were randomly assigned to follow two different eating patterns over an eight-week period while overall daily calories remained constant. Eating frequent small meals lowered body weight by five percent, on average and slightly reduced body fat com- pared with eating fewer than three meals a day. However, these findings were not statistically significant, prob- ably due to the small sample size. For more information see: Bron- del L et al (2009) American Journal of Clinical Nutrition [Epub ahead of print], Griffiths et al (2010) Inter- national Journal of Obesity 34, pg 624-32 and Cameron et al (2010) British Journal of Nutrition 103(8), pg1098-101.
Obese mothers putting health
at risk
Maternal obesity is an increas- ing problem in the UK, affecting the health of both mother and child, whilst contributing to ris- ing NHS costs. A new survey has collated data from 34 health boards in England, representing more than 600,000 live births, in order to track levels of maternal obesity.
The results showed that first-tri- mester maternal obesity doubled from eight percent in 1989 to near- ly 16 percent in 2007 (P<0.001). A greater risk of maternal obesity was seen in older mothers, those with larger families, women from black and ethnic minority groups, and those living in poorer areas. Unemployed women were more likely than employed women to become morbidly obese during pregnancy. This research highlights major implications for maternal and infant health in England. Another study, this time in Aus- tralia, looked at the long-term risks of excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Over 2,000 women taking part in a larger cohort study were followed-up on a regular ba- sis after giving birth. Weight gain during pregnancy was correlated with the risk of obesity 21 years later. It was found that women who gained excessive amounts of weight during pregnancy were four times more likely to become obese later in life. These associa- tions were independent of other lifestyle factors, suggesting that excessive weight gain during preg- nancy could be used by health professionals as an indicator of obesity risk in middle-age. For more information see: Heslehurst N et al (2009) Midwifery [Epub ahead of print]; Mamum AA et al (2010). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Mar 17 [Epub ahead of print].
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