Could increased time spent in a thermal comfort zone contribute to population increases in obesity?

Abstract

Domestic winter indoor temperatures in the USA, UK and other developed countries appear to be following an upwards trend. This review examines evidence of a causal link between thermal exposures and increases in obesity prevalence, focusing on acute and longer-term biological effects of time spent in thermal comfort compared with mild cold. Reduced exposure to seasonal cold may have a dual effect on energy expenditure, both minimizing the need for physiological thermogenesis and reducing thermogenic capacity. Experimental studies show a graded association between acute mild cold and human energy expenditure over the range of temperatures relevant to indoor heating trends. Meanwhile, recent studies of the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in human thermogenesis suggest that increased time spent in conditions of thermal comfort can lead to a loss of BAT and reduced thermogenic capacity. Pathways linking cold exposure and adiposity have not been directly tested in humans. Research in naturalistic and experimental settings is needed to establish effects of changes in thermal exposures on weight, which may raise possibilities for novel public health strategies to address obesity.

Associação entre privação do sono e obesidade em trabalhadores

“…Artigo originAl Estes desalinhamentos podem levar a alterações no metabolismo e na termorregulação que promovem a obesidade [48,49].…”

Searching for ways to switch on brown fat: are we getting warmer?

“…Its usefulness in human disease should of course be carefully considered; much of the work outlined in this review draws on evidence from murine models and caution must be exercised when translating the findings to humans. There is also huge variance between individuals concerning the amount of BAT activity that can be detected using current methods, and it may well be that the modern living environment (central heating and indoor work environments) removes much of the environmental stimulus for BAT activation ( Johnson et al 2011). However, there is almost certainly a correlation between factors that increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, higher fat mass and increasing age) and reduced activity of BAT in human subjects (Pfannenberg et al 2010, Ouellet et al 2011.…”

Harveian Oration 2016: Some observations on the causes and consequences of obesity

“…9 These changes have occurred at the same time as the requirements for the use of energy to support physical activity (at work or domestically) have diminished, 10 and when the widespread increase in domestic central heating means that the demands for thermogenesis for maintenance of body temperature have decreased. 11 It is not particularly surprising that a state where energy intake chronically exceeds energy expenditure is now commonplace.…”