Virus that causes respiratory infections linked to condition
In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, experts found that obese children with antibodies specific to a virus known to cause respiratory infections weighed 35 pounds more than those who didn’t have it, the BBC reports. Still, nothing has been proven on this theory, but it’s likely to reignite a controversial debate. Researchers found antibodies to AD36 in 19 of the children, 15 of whom were considered obese. Lead researcher Jeffrey Schwimmer of the University of California school of medicine said, “Many people believe that obesity is one’s own fault or the fault of one’s parents or family. This work helps point out that body weight is more complicated than it’s made out to be. And it is time that we move away from assigning blame in favour of developing a level of understanding that will better support efforts at both prevention and treatment. These data add credence to the concept that an infection can be a cause or contributor to obesity.”