Investigators have determined that a virus may play a key role in promoting obesity in some people. The researchers say that adenovirus-36--a well known respiratory virus--turns adult stem cells under the skin into fat cells when they are infected. And these fat cells accumulate fat at a fast rate. This isn't the sole cause of obesity, the scientists note, but the research does provide evidence that some cases of obesity can be linked to the virus. Other studies have reached similar conclusions, noting that about 30 percent of obese people have adenovirus-36 compared to 11 percent of lean people studied. And animal studies have linked adenovirus-36 and two other viruses to obesity as well. The theory is that exposure to the respiratory virus combined with a lack of exercise promotes obesity. This research points to new ways to control weight rather than relying solely on diet, exercise and surgery. The research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

- see the release [1] on the findings
- read the report [2] from The Independent

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