Study Suggests that Saving Energy May Reduce Obesity

Lower thermostat could lower your weight

While there is no conclusive evidence yet, a recent study being conducted by Fiona Johnson at University College in London suggests that by lowering the temperature of our homes during the winter, not only can we lower our energy bills, but it can also lead to weight loss or reduced weight gain. In an article published in Obesity Reviews, Johnson explains the findings.

Our bodies contain two types of fat, brown and white. While both types are basically our body’s way of storing energy, it is the brown fat which the body burns to generate heat to keep the body warm in cold temperatures. When people are born there is a high concentration of the brown fat, and that percentage decreases as we age. Additionally, the less a person is exposed to cold weather, the faster the percentage of the brown fat is reduced.

While is sounds like losing the brown fat would be good for weight loss, it isn’t. The greater the percentages of the brown fat, the more energy the body will expend to keep us warm in cooler temperatures. Therefore, by keeping the temperature in our homes cooler in the winter, not only does it reduce the power bill, it also causes the body to burn more calories.