subject: Obesity research no reason to give up your heating cover [print this page] Obesity research no reason to give up your heating cover
Living in a warm house makes you fat. This is the conclusion of research published this week by University College London and the University of Cambridge but we wouldn't think about cutting back on your heating cover just yet.
According to the study, central heating and double glazing have reduced the number of calories we burn to keep ourselves warm. Keeping this in mind, the latest faddy way to battle the bulge is reckoned to be no joke - opening a window. Which may come as good news to those struggling to keep up the motivation to stick to their New Year's resolutions of going to the gym more and eating less, but surely can't have any real basis in solid scientific fact?
The research concluded that creating a thermal comfort zone' in our homes could be one of the main reasons for rising obesity in the Western world. However, it also conceded that there is a lack of direct evidence to back up the theory, meaning more work must be done to look into the links if, indeed, there are any there in the first place.
The NHS Choices website has looked into the claims and suggested that researchers need to look more closely at how exposure to the cold impacts on a person's energy expenditure and bodyweight. It argued that the study is "not conclusive" and posited the counter theory that people put on weight during the winter as they simply do less exercise due to the cold weather.
"There are many different reasons for obesity in any individual, including genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise and general lifestyle. While a consistently ambient temperature may or may not affect weight gain, a balanced diet and regular exercise still remain the best ways to maintain a healthy weight," the government body concluded.
Of course, unless you want to carry out a study of a cold home of your own, it's advised you get heating insurance in place to ensure your home is covered in the event of a boiler breakdown. With this type of cover in place, you'll be able to call in a fully-qualified expert as soon as you suffer a problem in this department, without the worry that there will be a huge repair bill to follow. Because regardless of what some so-called experts think, few of us want to live in a freezing cold home, whether it gives us the figure of a supermodel or not.
