Watching TV at night may expand your waistline

Tuesday, November 09, 2010 by: Deb Campbell
Tags: television, obesity, health news

(NewsTarget) New research has unveiled further evidence of the consequences of night time exposure to light and how it relates to rates of obesity. Researchers in Ohio have discovered that mice exposed to a dim light at night gained an average fifty percent more weight than mice that were kept on a regular light-dark schedule.

This study was recently conducted over the course of eight weeks with three groups of mice. The type and quantity of food offered to the mice in all groups was the same; however, the mice in the "dim light group" ended up consuming a larger amount of their intake at night.

A second experiment was conducted to build on the first and it is the results of this that sheds a clearer perspective on the possible implications for humans. In this second study the amount of food was controlled so that mice in all groups were only allowed to eat at the same scheduled times (rather than having food available freely). This second study revealed no difference in the end weight of mice between groups, despite the fact that all other variables remained the same.

Not all experiments on animals mean that the same results would occur in humans; however, if it were to prove true then it would pave the way for more research focusing on when we eat, rather than just what we eat - and how this might relate to how obese we are getting as a nation.

Light has long been linked with the hormone Melatonin, which at higher levels in the body assists us in getting to sleep as well as playing a role in metabolism. Increased light exposure means less melatonin. Given that many of our nocturnal activities now involve TV, computer screens and the like, it is very likely that our hormones and body clocks are being impaired and leading to eating habits that make it difficult to stay naturally slim.

"It may be that people who use the computer and watch the TV a lot at night may be eating at the wrong times, disrupting their metabolism," co-author of the study, Randy Nelson said.

[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article...

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/conten...

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/...

About the author

Debbie Campbell is a Health and Wellness expert who has been coaching and training people in Australia and overseas for over 10 years. Her experience has included work as a Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, Pilates practitioner and Health/Wellness Presenter. She believes that anyone is capable of creating the health that they desire through the fundamentals of; education, conscious living and a consistent focus toward what they want. Her current projects involve educational workshops with her brother Dave (www.debndavehealthsolutions.com) as well as individual health coaching and fitness training through her own business (www.backintraining.com)