Virus Linked to Childhood Obesity

This article was in our Healthy Living magazine from our Internist this month.

Could there be more to the childhood obesity story than just eating too much and not moving enough?  Yes, say researchers in a study published in the journal Pediatrics.  They've found that a particular strain of a common cold virus, adenovirus 36 (AD36), may explain some of the weight gain.  Of the 124 children studied (ages 8 to 18), those who had been infected with the virus were an average of 50 lbs heavier than children who hadn't picked up the strain.  Even among just the obese children, those who tested positive for exxposure to AD36 were about 36 lbs heavier than those never infected with the virus.  Although the reasons behind the potential connection are unclear, previous studies have linked viral infections to obesity in animals and adults.  While more research is needed to confirm a link in children, help your child maintain a healthy weight by setting a good example with balanced foods and regular exercise and scheduling regular doctor's appointments for him or her.

tracey

I have never heard of this Tracey.....vey thought provoking.....will be interesting if other research shows similiar results.

Thanks for sharing!

wow, Tracey.  Wonder what that is about.  Or if that strain was around 50 yrs ago.  I'd love something else to blame, LOL.

Well, they discovered it in 1980 so it very possibly was around much longer than that.

Liz

Hmmm, I dunno.  That's a pretty small sample size with no information on confounders.  I'd argue that children from lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to be both obese and infected with illness, so I wonder if it would still show measurable results if confounders were controlled.  It will be interesting to follow some further research.  Thanks for posting!

I would have to agree with you. Lets add a little, does this virus actually cause some sort of illness? I put alot of childhood obesity on mainly genetics and laziness. I was a regular child and did not get fat until I started having children and got fatter when I stopped working. (me personally) Explain that to my neice who is 10 and weighs as much as I do right now, I yell at my sister, chocolate muffins are NOT a good breakfast, the child is online, in a game or on her a$$ all day long. No running, no bike, no swimming NO EXCERCISE period!
Yet, I had a 5 yr old on my soccer team, that ran his little tushie off 3x a week and lost 15 pounds by the end of our season... Both seem to make the same amounts of money.

I have always said it is all about choices and the choices you make will follow you throughout your life time.
I will say that lower income house holds are at risk for higher obesity levels, mainly because it is so expensive to buy fresh and cheaper to buy processed foods, a box of hamburger helper is areound a buck, 3 for the hamburger, you have something to eat.... For a family of 4 to eat this cheaply makes a big difference...

Sorry, I get passionate about all of this, it is what I am studying in college right now.

Let's give parents the benefit of the doubt here too.  You're right; processed food is cheaper and easier and many simply can't afford better for their families (I know because right now, I'm one of them).  Also, with the percentage of single-family households on the rise, many parents are not around to encourage healthy eating and activities throughout the day, and not everyone lives somewhere where it is safe to ride and run out of doors.  Unfortunately childhood obesity, like all chronic health/social issues, is multifactorial and a challenging problem to solve.

 Thats  very interesting .   I know I  picked up EVERY  bug possible as a child and teenager  beacsue of my asthma and it took FOREVER  to get rid of them too...  

Me too.  Stupid asthma!

It doesn't surprise me. We've got this going in adults according to previous research so why wouldn't it impact children too.