A study, published in the Journal Pediatrics on Monday, finds a link between obesity and a virus called adenovirus 36. Researchers say this finding, upon further study, could have a dramatic impact on the way childhood obesity is both treated and prevented.
What is adenovirus 36?
Over the years, researchers have identified over 50 types of adenoviruses. These viruses cause respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections. Adenovirus 36, also called AD36, infects fat cells.
How the study was conducted
The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between childhood obesity and AD36. The study included 124 children between the ages of 8 and 18. Of those children, 54% were considered obese, meaning their BMI was at or above the 95th percentile. 48% of the children had a BMI below the 95th percentile and were not considered obese.
Children exposed to AD36 were significantly larger
78% of the children considered obese were AD36 positive. Within the group of children who were obese, the ones who were AD36 positive were significantly larger than their obese peers. They had higher weights, waist circumference, BMI, and anthropometric measurements.
Only 7% of children that were not considered obese were AD36 positive.
America's obesity epidemics continues to concern health officials
America's obesity rate has risen at an astonishing clip over the last three decades. According to a 2007-2008 study run by the CDC, 17% of children aged 2-19 are obese. A study conducted by the New Jersey Departments of Health and Senior Services Education found 20% of sixth graders are obese.
The link between AD36 and childhood obesity may give health officials and legislators one more avenue for addressing the increasingly vexing problem of childhood obesity. This year alone, government has responded to this growing epidemic by targeting restaurants, schools, and early childhood education. First Lady Michelle Obama also rolled out an anti-obesity campaign called Let's Move for children in February.
Comments
Actually this study is horrible and is based on bad research. Diabetes is caused by food chemicals that break down the gut and insulin receptors.
The drug companies know this and make billion$$$ of this illness.
A filmmaker has been reversing diabetes in now 10 countries WITHOUT medications but the drug companies do not promote this
just google SPIRIT HAPPY DIET
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