Obesity is a growing problem, and science spends a lot of time and energy trying to understand everything to give us better advice for losing weight. We know more today about obesity and overweight than we have at any other time in history, with many myths about the diet well and truly shattered. Genes, hormonal imbalances and viruses are now recognized to play a role in obesity.

 

In fact, there are thirteen lucky points covering the latest thoughts ... a must-read list if you plan to make changes to your health in the New Year. Some of the things that made the list are out of your control ... but many others are not.

 

1. Genetics: science now believes there are many different fat genes ... maybe up to 100. Those whose gene is linked to fat were 40% more likely to have diabetes and 60% more likely to be obese. Regular exercise is supposed to compensate for the risk.

 

2. Number of fat cells: The range of these types of cells in the body is huge, with some people having twice as many fat cells as others. The number of fat cells does not change inside the body. So while you can't reduce the total number you have, there are things you can do to keep them from growing.

 

3. Metabolism: Scandinavian researchers have found in studies of twins where one of the twins was obese and the other thin, that metabolic changes made it more difficult to burn fat in the heavier twin. An 11 pound weight gain can slow your metabolism and put you in a vicious cycle ... as you gain more fat, it becomes more difficult to lose. Avoid this by staying active.

 

4. Stress levels: Science knows that foods high in carbohydrates tend to calm stress hormones - which is why we are looking for them. Eating as a coping mechanism is well known, but research has shown that stress hormones also speed up fat storage. To combat the effect, commit to managing stress as part of your daily routine.

 

5. Prenatal environment: More and more research suggests that sugary and fatty foods, eaten before birth, can cause problems for the developing baby's body. Yet another reason why eating well during pregnancy is so important.

 

6. Sleep: If you sleep less than seven to eight hours a night, you may need more sleep to keep your weight loss efforts on track. Sleep deprivation disrupts our hormonal balance and this triggers a decrease in leptin (the one that helps you feel full) and an increase in ghrelin (the one that triggers hunger African Lean Belly) so that you think you are hungry even when you are not. Getting enough sleep may be the simplest and most natural weight loss secret there is.

 

7. Your spouse: Research shows that gaining or losing weight can be contagious. A New England Journal of Medicine study suggests that if one spouse is obese, the other is 37% more likely to be obese as well.
 

 

8. Viruses: The link between a virus and fat was discovered when researchers at the University of Wisconsin injected viruses into chickens and found that they were gaining weight. Stem cells also turned into fat cells when they were injected this way. Studies in humans using twins have found that obese people are more likely to have antibodies to a virus called adenovirus-36.

 

9. Addictive trends: Although food is not addictive like alcohol and drugs, there are some surprising similarities according to scientists. Dopamine, a hormone linked to motivation and pleasure, could have something to do with it. One theory suggests that obese people may not have the same number of dopamine receptors, so they need to eat more to feel good.

 

10. Taste Buds: Researchers at the University of Florida wondered why people who tasted food less intensely seemed more likely to be overweight. Science also knows that ear infections can damage a gustatory nerve that crosses the middle ear. In addition, these patients are more likely to like candy and fatty foods, possibly due to the damaged nerve that cannot detect correctly sweetness or fat.