UON LogoPeople who are depressed over their weight problems may now have a reason to rejoice as researchers seem to offer a way in which weight can possibly be controlled. The research conducted at The University of Nottingham claimed that Brown adipose tissue (BAT) which is brown fat is found in huge quantities in hibernating animals and newborn babies. It could lead to new ways of putting a stop to obesity experts claim.

Previous researches have apparently claimed that obesity decreases the BAT activity in adults. Therefore if BAT activity is increased, then it may prevent or reduce obesity. This research claimed that for the first time it was discovered that daylight could be a major factor in regulating BAT activity.

Michael Symonds who led the research and is the professor of Developmental Physiology in the School of Clinical Sciences at The University of Nottingham commented “Our research has suggested a previously unknown mechanism for controlling BAT function in humans and this could potentially lead to new treatments for the prevention or reversal of obesity.”

Winter was the time of the year that was escorted with augmented thermal demands and thus energy expenditure but the body’s requirement for BAT has been supposedly decreased recently by central heating and global warming. Compared with all other tissues, BAT, apparently is able to produce 300 times more heat per unit mass.

Approximately 3500 patients were examined for this analysis. The presence of BAT was documented and associated with monthly changes in daylight and ambient temperature. Their outcomes apparently displayed that BAT was more regular in women and the changes in BAT activity were more closely related with day light rather than ambient temperature.

Professor Symonds commented “Our research demonstrates a very strong seasonal variation in the presence of BAT. The study focused on the impact of daylight and ambient temperature as these are two key factors in determining BAT function in small mammals. Our exciting new findings may help us find novel interventions aimed at promoting BAT activity particularly in the winter.”

BAT seems to be generated by cold and is exclusive in being able to produce very large amounts of heat but unfortunately not much is known about the main factors that control the amount of BAT in our bodies.

This research was published in the journal Diabetes.