Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Study Indicates Obesity May Be Linked to Germs

A study out of Emory University has found a surprising potential link between obesity and bacteria. Building off previous studies which showed that intestinal microbes were different in overweight people, Emory researchers studied immune systems in mice to try and learn more.
"Researchers noticed that mice with an altered immune system were fatter than regular mice, and had a collection of disorders  high blood pressure, and cholesterol and insulin problems  called metabolic syndrome, often a precursor of heart disease and diabetes." [The Associated Press]
Mice with altered immunity had different bacteria in their intestines, when compared to normal rodents, and it appeared to cause increases in appetite, along with the "low-grade inflammation" that's associated with many obesity-related illnesses.

Labels: bacteria

Posted By: Aspen/CRC