Extended periods of high temperatures potentially contributing to an increase in obesity levels, according to research findings
In a comprehensive review spanning 16 years, researchers have proposed that increased ambient temperatures could potentially influence obesity rates worldwide, alongside factors such as diet, physical inactivity, sleep insufficiency, and socioeconomic changes [3]. However, the evidence linking higher temperatures directly to obesity rates, particularly in colder climates like the UK, remains inconclusive [2][5].
The study, conducted over eight Australian states between 2006 and 2022, found that hot weather may contribute to weight gain [2]. Interestingly, the effects of extreme temperature on obesity appear to be more pronounced for older people compared to younger individuals [3].
One of the key findings of the study published in Economics & Human Biology was a correlation between high temperatures and obesity. Citizens living in the hottest areas were more likely to be obese [3]. In Australia, for every day the temperature is above 30°C, the risk of being obese increases by 0.2% [3].
This year, the UK has experienced an early start to summer, with 11 days over 30°C by July, a figure that is unusual for most years. The Met Office reported this anomaly [4]. While the study findings indicate that high temperatures can suppress appetite in the short term, they can also lead to increased consumption of high-calorie, sugary beverages for cooling and hydration [3].
The study suggests that high temperatures can make outdoor activities less appealing, leading to a sedentary lifestyle which increases obesity [3]. People in areas that are normally cold, such as the UK, might be more vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperature on obesity [3]. Sweltering summer days might slow our metabolism, put us off exercising, and lead to consuming fattening fizzy drinks [5].
It is important to note that while increased ambient temperatures could influence obesity-related health risks and possibly play a role in obesity prevalence trends, the evidence specifically linking higher temperatures to higher obesity rates in colder climates like the UK is still inconclusive and requires further targeted research [3][2][5].
Public health data also highlight the vulnerability of overweight and obese individuals to heat-related mortality, underscoring the interaction between heat exposure and obesity-related risk, though this does not directly imply higher obesity rates caused by heat [5].
References:
- Study in controlled climate-controlled rooms around 22°C
- Study on seasonal and temperature-related variation in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Comprehensive review listing increased ambient temperature as a contributor to rising obesity rates worldwide
- Met Office report on the unusual number of 30°C days in the UK this year
- Public health data on heat-related mortality and obesity-related risk
- The study conducted in Australia found a correlation between high temperatures and obesity, with citizens living in the hottest areas more likely to be obese, suggesting that climate change might influence health-and-wellness issues like obesity.
- The evidence linking higher temperatures directly to obesity rates, particularly in colder climates like the UK, remains inconclusive, indicating the need for further research in environmental-science to fully understand the impact of climate-change on nutrition and health.
