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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Lack of exercise or a high-calorie diet -- What causes obesity? Major new study offers surprising insight
Couch potatoes have always had bad press. But turns out, the over-the-top foodies are equally guilty – if not more. Obesity, now a global public health crisis, has long been blamed on sedentary lifestyles and high‑calorie diets. In 2025, global obesity rates are projected to continue rising, with estimates suggesting that one in five adults worldwide will have obesity. This trend indicates that countries are significantly off track to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2025 targets to halt the rise of obesity. What's more? The World Obesity Federation's 2025 Atlas highlights that many countries lack sufficient policies and plans to address the escalating obesity crisis. Amidst that, a major new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds surprising light on the root causes. Is it the sedentary lifestyle alone? Or is the high-calorie diet to be blamed for it? Read on to know more. The study The new study, led by Dr. Herman Pontzer at Duke University, has flipped traditional ideas about the origins of obesity on their head, highlighting that our diets might hold more weight, literally and figuratively, than the amount of physical activity we engage in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo Published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the research challenges the long-held belief that individuals in developed countries like the United States of America lead relatively inactive lifestyles and consequently burn fewer calories. Surprisingly, it reveals that calorie-burning rates among people in developed nations are comparable to those of individuals in less industrialized regions, including farmers, herders, and hunter-gatherers who enjoy more active routines. More specifically – the researchers calculated total energy expenditures for 4,213 men and women from 34 countries or cultural groups, and found they were similar, regardless of whether someone was an American office worker or a hunter-gatherer. This groundbreaking research work, examining the energy expenditure and metabolic rates of those individuals from diverse nations, proposes that inactivity might not be a significant contributor to obesity in the US or beyond. Instead, the study emphasizes that dietary choices play a much larger role than the decrease in energy expenditure associated with economic progress. As per the study, what people eat 'plays a far greater role than reduced expenditure in the elevated prevalence of obesity associated with economic development.' The experts' take Herman Pontzer, a professor and senior author of the study, shared with the Washington Post that these findings are pivotal in helping health officials pinpoint the true causes of obesity, paving the way for more effective treatments. Alongside more than 80 co-authors, Pontzer collected data from laboratories worldwide utilizing doubly labeled water in metabolism studies, a method that precisely measures energy expenditure. Contrary to the notion that increasing exercise would lower obesity rates, the study reveals that 'increased energy intake has been roughly 10 times more important than declining total energy expenditure in driving the modern obesity crisis,' according to the authors. In simpler terms, populations grappling with higher obesity rates are consuming excessive amounts of food, often the wrong types, as Pontzer explained. Barry Popkin, a professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a recognized obesity expert, told the Post, 'This study confirms what I've been saying, which is that diet is the key culprit in our current [obesity] epidemic.' He added that 'this is a well-done study,' a sentiment echoed by other professionals in the field. Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University in Boston, stated, 'It's clear from this important new research and other studies that changes to our food, not our activity, are the dominant drivers of obesity.' What's ahead, then? As the study reveals, obesity's roots are multifaceted. The latest evidence confirms that while you can't outrun a bad diet, you can transform your health by choosing what and how much you eat. It is now a proven fact that proper diet plays a tad bit more important role in managing weight and keeping obesity in check than a laid-back lifestyle. Should we go back to our couches then, instead of picking up the dumbbells? That doesn't sound wise. This landmark study rather revolutionizes our understanding of obesity: metabolic adaptation buffers against exercise-driven calorie deficits, while poor diet remains the primary villain. To tackle the obesity epidemic, public health must realign – from 'move more' to 'eat smart.' Coupling smart eating habits with regular exercise provides the best defense. In fact, Pontzer stressed that these findings do not diminish the importance of exercise for our overall health. 'We know that exercise is essential for health. This study doesn't change that,' he affirmed. However, he advocated that to tackle obesity effectively, 'public health efforts need to focus on diet,' particularly concerning ultra-processed foods, as Pontzer highlighted. Exercise during pregnancy may save kids from health problems as adults, says study
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
How fast your brain is aging? This simple daily habit might hold the answer
Synopsis A long-term study reported by Psychology Today reveals that walking speed at age 45 can be a strong predictor of brain health and aging. Slower walkers showed smaller brain volume, thinner cortexes, and cognitive decline. While causation isn't confirmed, the findings suggest that walking may not just reflect brain health—it could actively help preserve it. iStock Research tracking individuals over 40 years found that slower midlife walking speeds are linked to faster brain aging and reduced cognitive abilities. Supporting studies show that regular walking can increase brain size, particularly the memory-related hippocampus. (Image: iStock) When we think about aging, it's easy to assume it's all about the number of candles on the birthday cake. But modern research tells a very different story. As Psychology Today reports, scientists are now looking beyond chronological age and focusing on how the body and brain functionally age. And one surprising indicator may be hiding in plain sight—how fast you walk. In a groundbreaking 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers tracked more than 900 individuals over a 40-year period, from childhood through midlife. What they found was astonishing: the speed at which a person walks at age 45 is strongly linked to the health and size of their brain. The study revealed that slower walkers, those moving at an average of just 2.71 mph, had smaller brain volumes, thinner cortexes, more white matter hyperintensities (which are associated with cognitive decline), and reduced cortical surface area. On the other hand, the fastest group, walking at about 3.91 mph, showed healthier brain structures and better cognitive outcomes. Even more remarkably, walking speed at 45 was correlated with changes in brain function that traced all the way back to childhood. The researchers noted that cognitive decline from childhood to midlife was more pronounced in the slower walkers, suggesting that the roots of this aging marker could be traced to early development. These findings may be unsettling, but they also provide a powerful tool: a simple test—how fast you walk—can be a revealing measure of how quickly your brain is aging. But is slow walking a cause or a consequence of poor brain health? The jury is still out. Researchers agree that correlation doesn't imply causation. It's possible that certain patterns in the brain lead to slower movement. However, there's also growing evidence that movement—specifically walking—can actually improve brain health. In a randomized trial published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 60 older adults were assigned either to a walking or stretching group for a year. At the end of the study, the walking group had increased the size of their hippocampus—the brain's memory hub—by 2 percent, while the stretching group experienced shrinkage. Similarly, in a smaller study involving diabetic participants, those who walked regularly demonstrated notable cognitive benefits compared to those who didn't. These findings reinforce a much broader body of research connecting physical activity to neuroplasticity, immune function, metabolism, and overall brain vitality.
News18
12-07-2025
- Science
- News18
100-Ft ‘Doomsday' Tsunami Could ‘Wipe Out' Part Of US ‘Any Moment'
Last Updated: The Cascadia Subduction Zone has stayed calm for 300 years. When it finally breaks, it could trigger a huge earthquake followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 100 feet. While the world focuses on AI threats and the looming possibility of World War III, Mother Nature has issued a stark reminder of her own power. Scientists have long warned of impending natural disasters, and a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) adds to those concerns. The research suggests that the United States could soon face one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in its history. What Is The Threat? The Cascadia Subduction Zone has stayed calm for 300 years. When it finally breaks, it could trigger a huge earthquake followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 100 feet. The disaster could bring severe damage and threaten many lives from northern California in the US to British Columbia in Canada. According to a new study, this could cause sudden and serious changes. Scientists found that during a major earthquake, the land could sink by 0.5 to 2 meters within minutes. Along with the sinking, rising sea levels could lead to a much bigger risk of flooding. The study warns that by the year 2100, the number of people, buildings and roads at risk of flooding could more than triple. Researchers say this growing danger needs more attention, planning, and action to reduce damage in the future. What Scientists Are Warning The World About Now 'This is going to be a very catastrophic event for the US, for sure. It's a dual threat. The tsunami is going to come in, and it's going to be devastating. But with tsunamis, we also know that some places are going to be very hard hit, while other places are probably not going to feel as severe effects because of the way the coast is configured. But those areas can still be in the zone of subsidence," Dura added. Rising Waters And Sinking Land The study reveals that while many coastal areas are gradually sinking each year, parts of Washington, Oregon and Northern California are experiencing the opposite, land uplift due to deep underground movements. In cities like Astoria, Port Orford, and Crescent City, the land is rising faster than sea levels, causing water levels to remain stable or even decline slightly. However, in areas such as Yaquina Bay and Coos Bay, the land is rising more slowly, leading to a noticeable increase in sea levels. One exception is Humboldt Bay in Northern California, where the land is sinking. Scientists warn that by around 2030, sea levels will rise faster than the land can keep up. By 2050, water levels may rise to 10 to 30 centimetres, and by 2100, sea levels might increase by 40 to 90 centimetres if carbon emissions stay high. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Metro
10-07-2025
- Science
- Metro
'Doomsday' 100-foot mega tsunami likely to hit the US at any moment
Scientists are warning that a 100-foot, Doomsday-style mega tsunami is primed to hit the US West Coast at any moment – and likely within 50 years. On top of that, experts say that the sooner the tsunami hits, the better. The natural disaster threat stems from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which is a nearly 700-mile fault line from northern California to British Columbia, that has not had much movement in 300 years. That means that the zone is due for a major earthquake, and its effects are predicted to be worse as time goes on. 'By 2100, when climate-driven sea-level rise will compound the hazard, a great earthquake could expand floodplains… more than tripling the flooding exposure of residents, structures, and roads under the high subsidence scenario compared to the 2023 floodplain,' states a recent article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. There is a 37% chance of a quake in the Pacific Northwest happening in the next half-century, and one is almost guaranteed to hit by 2100, according to the study published in April. 'This is going to be a very catastrophic event for the US, for sure,' the study's lead author, Tina Dura, told BBC Science Focus. 'The tsunami is going to come in, and it's going to be devastating.' A quake of magnitude 8.0 to 9.0 could create a 100-foot tsunami capable of crushing eight feet of the coastline and wiping out much of the West Coast. 'After the tsunami comes and eventually recedes, the land is going to persist at lower levels,' Dura said. 'That floodplain footprint is going to be altered for decades or even centuries.' More Trending Such a quake could cause 5,800 deaths, and the resulting tsunami could claim another 8,000 lives, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the nation's agency helping people before, during and after disasters. The coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington, up to northern Vancouver Island in Canada, are under the threat. The last massive earthquake, magnitude 9.0, hit in January 1700 and spurred a tsunami that took out the village of Pachena Bay in British Columbia. 'This study underscores the need to consider combined earthquake and climate impacts in planning for coastal resilience at the Cascadia subduction zone and globally,' states the article. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman bombarded with hundreds of Amazon packages she never ordered MORE: Urgent recall of Ritz crackers over 'life-threatening' health risk MORE: Mystery after missing paddleboarder's body found in 'unusual' position on secluded lake
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Science-backed ‘food is medicine' movement may reverse American health decline
As the health of Americans continues to decline, researchers at the University of Florida are urging a national rethink about fruits and vegetables. Their message is that it's time to treat produce not just as food but as medicine. Advertisement In a recent article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers endorse the 'food is medicine' movement, arguing fruits and vegetables play a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases and improving public health. Yet only one in 10 adults in the U.S. consumes the recommended daily servings – a shortfall researchers claim is fueling the crisis. The article warns that current U.S. agricultural output is insufficient to support a healthy population. 4 Researchers at the University of Florida endorse the 'food is medicine' movement, arguing fruits and vegetables can prevent chronic diseases and improve public health. Pixel-Shot – Advertisement To address this gap, the authors advocate for a substantial increase in fruit and vegetable production, with a focus on nutrient-dense produce such as berries, leafy greens and carrots. Danielle Treadwell, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida, spoke to Fox News Digital about her involvement in the study. 'In the U.S., we have a healthcare crisis, due in large part to dietary choices,' she said. Treadwell defined horticulture as 'the art and science of fruit production and vegetable production' — integral to expanding the quantity and quality of produce in the U.S. Advertisement 4 'In the U.S., we have a healthcare crisis, due in large part to dietary choices,' Danielle Treadwell, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida, said. MNStudio – 'Where are all those fruits and vegetables going to come from?' Treadwell said. 'Because currently, the United States is only able to produce 50% of what we anticipate we would need if every adult in the U.S. were to follow the dietary advice of eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.' She added, 'That is not enough.' Treadwell cited common barriers to eating more produce, including the time required to prepare them and limited access — especially in underserved areas. Advertisement 'Here in Florida, we grow fruits and vegetables nine months out of the year [and] many of us have citrus trees in our yard,' the horticulturist said. 'However, that's not true in other parts of the country.' Treadwell also observed that many Americans work 'very long hours, sometimes multiple jobs.' Start and end your day informed with our newsletters Morning Report and Evening Update: Your source for today's top stories Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters She added, 'All of these things can come together and really [have] an impact on how many servings a day [of produce that] the average adult can take in.' 'Frozen vegetables, by and large, retain 100% of their nutritional content that they had when they left the field.' Treadwell's main advice is to choose what you eat wisely and to start out small. 'Remember that a serving is half a cup … so maybe, eat a whole cup at a time,' she suggested. 'It certainly doesn't necessarily have to be fresh. Frozen vegetables, by and large, retain 100% of their nutritional content that they had when they left the field.' So if food can be medicine, which specific fruits and vegetables target certain ailments? Advertisement Dr. William W. Li, author of the book 'Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself,' shared some examples with Fox News Digital. He cited pears and strawberries as two fruits that can target specific medical conditions. 4 'Frozen vegetables, by and large, retain 100% of their nutritional content that they had when they left the field,' Treadwell said. Recebin – 'Pears contain polyphenols like quercetin and chlorogenic acid that can reduce blood pressure, shrink body fat, improve energy balance and reverse metabolic syndrome,' Li said. Advertisement Strawberries, on the other hand, contain 'polyphenols such as ellagic acid and anthocyanins that can decrease insulin resistance in obese persons to improve metabolism.' Pears and strawberries are two fruits that can target specific medical conditions. For those with a high amount of 'bad' LDL cholesterol and stubborn abdominal fat, the doctor suggested the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in avocados. Blueberries can also help 'reduce body weight, increase insulin sensitivity, shrink visceral fat and improve metabolism,' Li said. Advertisement 4 According to dietitian Yaa Boakye, the healing powers of fruits and vegetables come from consistently incorporating them into your lifestyle. Jacob Lund – Yaa Boakye, a dietitian based in Illinois, echoed the notion of the healing powers of fruits and vegetables. 'Physiological shifts happen when fruits and vegetables become a daily, consistent part of your life,' Boakye told Fox News Digital. 'Not once a week. Not a once-a-month juice cleanse, but consistency.' She also said that diet is one of many factors in a person's health and encouraged Americans to be well-balanced in their approaches to health. Advertisement 'Stress, sleep, trauma, environment, medications, access — they all matter, too,' Boakye said. 'If nutrition is your shield, then movement, sleep and emotional regulation are your armor, reinforcements and escape routes.' Boakye said Americans should make eating produce a habit. 'We are what we repeatedly do,' Boakye said. 'Eating fruits and vegetables can't be an afterthought or a luxury. They must be a non-negotiable part of our daily diet.'
