Health risks of obesity are well-known. Reputed healthcare organizations, like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, warn the public about them regularly. And it’s really no wonder that obesity, a metabolic disorder itself, increases the risk of other metabolic disorders or conditions associated with them. However, new research from York University puts a new perspective on how we see obesity. This study revealed that obesity alone does not increase mortality risk, unlike other metabolic disorders (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.).
This means that being obese does not make one unhealthy by default. It only becomes this way when your obesity is metabolically unhealthy, which means that you have other metabolic disorders that actually increase risk of mortality.
What Does the New Study Mean for the World?
This research has a potential to revolutionize how people see obesity as a whole. At the moment, basic health guidelines state that people with body mass index (BMI) over 30 have to lose weight because they are considered unhealthy. However, researchers from York University have proven that about 1 in 20 of these people are actually healthy. Therefore, weight loss programs can do them more harm than good.
However, despite the happy news for the individuals with metabolically healthy obesity, it’s still true that this disorder most often comes with other conditions. Therefore, losing excess weight is still a good idea. However, this latest study highlights the importance of doing this wisely.
One of the most important components of a healthy anti-obesity program is the guidance of a professional dietician. Having one’s diet designed by a professional who bases their plan on medical test results and monitors the patient’s condition is key to effective weight loss. This approach allows to prevent the development of nutritional deficiencies and other health issues that can occur because of a poorly-balanced diet.
Obesity Health Risks Aren’t in the Past, But There’s Hope
The study from York University has definitely lifted some spirits. It shows that the obesity epidemics isn’t as dangerous as people are used to thinking. But it doesn’t deny that it’s still best to not be obese at the first place.
Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center contribute to the fight against obesity by looking for ways to prevent it in the predisposed individuals. Their latest discovery shows great promise in this area. The new study from the team has shown that savory foods might promote healthy eating habits.
In this study, the researchers used umami, which is a Japanese name for a savory meal. Its main flavor comes from glutamate, an amino acid naturally present in the vast majority of foods. According to the results of the study, drinking some umami-rich broth before a meal does not only reduce appetite but actually prompts people to make healthier food choices. The effects are most prominent in women with a high risk of obesity.
The researchers tested this using some hi-tech equipment when serving delicious buffets. The monitoring tools focused on the participant’s behavior and apparently proved that resisting the temptation of a sumptuous meal becomes easier with some umami in you.
This means that the study is important not only as a proof of an effective appetite control tool. This research can be crucial for developing new effective treatments for eating disorders. It shows great promise as the data indicates how some naturally occurring chemicals can influence human behavior on the neurological level.
