Science Weekly - 03122018

​It's December and scientists are still on the roll to publish research and study results, so here's last week's highlights that are relevan to the fitness industry.
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• Intermitent fasting is suggested to be another way of reducing calorie intake and improve overall health, but it's no better or worse than other weight loss diets that are based on healthy habits. 
• Cardiovascular fitness will have an mpact on your health whether you ae overweight or lean. 
• Shocking study results on the percentage of Americans with healthy metabolism
• Lifestyle interventions can help obese children to lose weight even when they are genetically predisposed to obesity
• Nor yo-yo dieting nor being a night owl is great to our health.
• Why older women are less healthy than older men
• Weight loss procedure shrinks both fat and muscle

Intermittent fasting: No advantage over conventional weight loss diets

Intermittent fasting helps lose weight and promotes health. However, it is not superior to conventional calorie restriction diets, scientists have found out in the largest investigation on intermittent fasting to date. The scientists conclude that there are many paths leading to a healthier weight. Everybody must find a diet plan that fits them best and then just do it!

Source: German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)

Weight loss procedure shrinks both fat and muscle

Left gastric artery embolization, a novel interventional procedure used to treat obesity, leads to the loss of both fat and muscle, according to a new study. Researchers said the loss of muscle mass is concerning and underscores the importance of proper nutritional counseling after the procedure.

Source: Radiological Society of North America

Healthy? Stay fit to avoid a heart attack - Low cardiorespiratory fitness could be a warning sign of future problems, even in the fit and healthy

Even if you are a fit and healthy person with no signs of any heart or blood vessel disease, low cardiorespiratory fitness could be a warning sign of future problems, according to a new study.

Source: European Society of Cardiology

Only 12 percent of American adults are metabolically healthy, study finds

The prevalence of metabolic health in American adults is 'alarmingly low,' even among people who are normal weight, according to a new study. Only one in eight Americans is achieving optimal metabolic health. This carries serious implications for public health since poor metabolic health leaves people more vulnerable to developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious health issues.

Source: ​University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Despite common obesity gene variants obese children lose weight after lifestyle changes

Children who are genetically predisposed to overweight, due to common gene variants, can still lose weight by changing their diet and exercise habits, according to a new study.

​Source: University of Copenhagen The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Why older women are less healthy than older men

Genes that act late in life could explain why women have poorer health than men in older age, according to new research.

​Source: ​University of Exeter

Is being a night owl bad for your health?

In the first ever international review of studies analysing whether being an early riser or a night owl can influence your health, researchers have uncovered a growing body of evidence indicating an increased risk of ill health in people with an evening preference as they have more erratic eating patterns and consume more unhealthy foods.

Source: Northumbria University