Laughing Helps Lose Weight (supposedly shouting would too!)

[Guest guest]

05 Jun 2005

 

 

 

 

 

A good laugh makes a first class diet! Incredible but true; this is

American scientists' conclusion, after a study realized on 45 adults.

 

Researchers found that a strong laughter for 10-15 minutes daily can

increase energy consumption by 10 to 40 calories per day. This fact

alone may induce a weight loss of half to 2 kg annually!

 

The paper was communicated during the 14th European Congress on

Obesity, which takes place in Megaron, the Athens Conference Hall,

from June 1st to June 4th.

 

Congress keynote speakers emphasized on the role of lifestyle, both

in controlling body weight and improving basic health indexes in

humans.

 

A group of Dane scientists referred to the " epidemic " of obesity,

which occurs concern. Interestingly, they observed that, in spite of

the efforts to reduce foods high in fats, the number of obese persons

has not ceased to increase.

 

In the attempt to justify this phenomenon, they underlined that,

reduced physical activity, increased consumption of refreshments

containing sugar, bigger sized meals and deficient report of fat

consumption by patients, continuously increase the obese population

worldwide.

 

The study of the Dane scientists showed that a 10% reduction of

dietary fats, leads to a weight loss of 3-4 kg in overweight and 5-6

kg in obese people. The general trend was to replace food fats with a

lot of fiber, high molecular weight carbohydrates and proteins.

 

Scientists also proceeded to long-term trials, during which

participants' fat intake was equal to 25-30% of the overall calories

they consumed. This effort was combined with a special programme for

the increase of physical activity, leading to a 2-5 kg weight loss.

 

The obese and overweight individuals, who participated in the study,

maintained the attained body weight for 4-5 years; moreover, they had

a general beneficial effect on their health, as it was also found

that, in addition to good physical condition, they had a decrease of

the risk for cardiovascular events and a 58% reduction in diabetes.

 

Long-term results

 

The results reported during the Congress, regarding body weight

maintenance after weight loss through diets, were of particular

interest.

 

According to experts, diets for weight loss high in proteins are used

excessively, but there are not enough data on their long-term

efficacy.

 

However, they all agreed that the best way to maintain the good

result of a diet and to prevent obesity is very frequent physical

activity.

 

Scientists from the Netherlands attempted to determine the duration

and frequency of physical activity with accuracy, in order to

maximize the positive effects of a diet. The general principle - they

stated - is that reduction of calories consumption is critical in

obesity prevention, in the loss of extra kilos and the maintenance of

the proper body weight.

 

Following a study in obese subjects, they discovered that 60-90

minutes of moderate daily physical activity is required for

previously obese individuals, in order to avoid regaining their lost

kilos. Moreover, an overweight individual needs 45-60 minutes of

moderate physical activity on a daily basis, in order to avoid

transition to obesity stage.

 

The ECO 2005 Congress (14th European Congress on Obesity)

 

ECO 2005 is the most significant European scientific event on obesity

and is organized every year by a national scientific association,

member of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO -

http://www.easoobesity.org).

 

This year, EASO has assigned the organization of the 14th European

Congress on Obesity (ECO 2005, http://www.eco2005.gr), which will be

held in Athens, from June 1st to 4th 2005, to the Hellenic Medical

Association for Obesity (http://www.hmao.gr).

 

The congress is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of

Health and Social Welfare, the Municipality of Athens, the Athens

Medical School and the National and Kapodistrian University of

Athens. For more information, visit the congress website,

http://www.eco2005.gr.