13_MC Things_NN2 You_PPY Never_RR Knew_VVD About_II Losing_VVG Weight_NN1 Steven_NP1 Blair_NP1 is_VBZ ,_, in_II his_APPGE own_DA words_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 "_" short_JJ ,_, fat_NN1 ,_, bald_JJ guy_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB at_II five-foot-five_MC and_CC 200_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 may_VM very_RG well_RR be_VBI healthier_JJR than_CSN men_NN2 much_RR taller_JJR and_CC leaner_JJR ._. 
He_PPHS1 runs_VVZ 25_MC miles_NNU2 a_AT1 week_NNT1 ,_, eats_VVZ six_MC to_II eight_MC servings_NN2 of_IO fruits_NN2 and_CC vegetables_NN2 a_AT1 day_NNT1 ,_, and_CC avoids_VVZ processed_JJ and_CC fatty_JJ foods_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 professor_NN1 of_IO exercise_NN1 science_NN1 and_CC epidemiology_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO South_NP1 Carolina_NP1 ,_, Blair_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 living_JJ example_NN1 of_IO how_RRQ fat_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX play_VVI fair_JJ ._. 
And_CC thanks_NN2 to_II advances_NN2 in_II his_APPGE field_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ beginning_VVG to_TO understand_VVI why_RRQ ._. 
Genes_NN2 ,_, hormonal_JJ imbalances_NN2 ,_, and_CC even_RR viruses_NN2 are_VBR now_RT acknowledged_VVN to_TO play_VVI a_AT1 role_NN1 in_II obesity_NN1 ._. 
Eating_VVG less_RRR and_CC working_VVG out_RP more_RRR ,_, in_II fact_NN1 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI nearly_RR as_RG much_DA1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW weight_NN1 loss_NN1 as_CSA you_PPY might_VM assume_VVI ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ all_DB counter_VV0 to_II what_DDQ people_NN think_VV0 they_PPHS2 know_VV0 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Blair_NP1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY can_VM see_VVI obesity_NN1 ,_, so_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ easy_JJ to_TO say_VVI 'Well_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 person_NN1 must_VM not_XX be_VBI trying_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 must_VM be_VBI lazy_JJ ._. '_" 
But_CCB that_DD1 's_VBZ often_RR not_XX the_AT case_NN1 ._. "_" 
Our_APPGE team_NN1 pored_VVD over_II the_AT latest_JJT studies_NN2 ,_, interviewed_VVD the_AT top_JJ clinicians_NN2 in_II obesity_NN1 science_NN1 ,_, and_CC listened_VVD to_II the_AT real-life_JJ experiences_NN2 of_IO men_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 struggling_VVG to_TO maintain_VVI their_APPGE weight_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL ,_, the_AT latest_JJT (_( and_CC often_RR unexpected_JJ )_) thinking_VVG behind_II size_NN1 and_CC thighs_NN2 ,_, fatness_NN1 and_CC fitness._NNU 1_MC1 ._. 
It_PPH1 Really_RR Is_VBZ Genetic_JJ When_CS scientists_NN2 first_MD discovered_VVD it_PPH1 in_II certain_JJ chubby_JJ mice_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 called_VVD it_PPH1 simply_RR the_AT fatso_NN1 gene_NN1 ._. 
Years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, when_CS they_PPHS2 scoured_VVD the_AT human_JJ genome_NN1 for_IF markers_NN2 that_CST increased_JJ vulnerability_NN1 to_II type_NN1 2_MC diabetes_NN1 ,_, the_AT fatso_NN1 gene_NN1 (_( now_RT more_RGR politely_RR called_VVN FTO_NP1 )_) showed_VVD up_RP there_RL too_RR ._. 
Turns_VVZ out_RP ,_, people_NN with_IW two_MC copies_NN2 of_IO the_AT gene_NN1 were_VBDR 40_MC percent_NNU more_DAR likely_JJ to_TO have_VHI diabetes_NN1 and_CC 60_MC percent_NNU more_DAR likely_JJ to_TO be_VBI obese_JJ than_CSN those_DD2 without_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
Those_DD2 with_IW only_RR one_MC1 copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT gene_NN1 weighed_VVD more_RGR too_RR ._. 
Scientists_NN2 now_RT suspect_VV0 that_CST there_EX are_VBR lots_PN of_IO fat_JJ genes_NN2 ._. 
"_" There_EX could_VM be_VBI as_RG many_DA2 as_CSA 100_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Claude_NP1 Bouchard_NP1 ,_, PhD_NNA ,_, executive_NN1 director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Pennington_NP1 Biomedical_NP1 Research_NN1 Center_NN1 at_II Louisiana_NP1 State_NN1 University_NN1 System_NN1 ,_, "_" each_DD1 adding_VVG a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO pounds_NN2 here_RL and_CC a_AT1 pound_NN1 or_CC two_MC there_RL ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ a_AT1 noticeable_JJ difference_NN1 when_CS it_PPH1 comes_VVZ to_II how_RGQ much_DA1 more_DAR fat_NN1 we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO burn_VVI off_RP ._. "_" 
As_RG much_DA1 as_CSA 16_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT population_NN1 has_VHZ two_MC copies_NN2 of_IO the_AT FTO_NN1 gene_NN1 ,_, and_CC half_DB of_IO us_PPIO2 have_VH0 one_MC1 copy_NN1 ._. 
So_RG far_RR ,_, scientists_NN2 suspect_VV0 that_CST the_AT other_JJ possible_JJ obesity-promoting_JJ genes_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 small_JJ effect_NN1 compared_VVN with_IW FTO_NP1 ._. 
The_AT good_JJ news_NN1 ?_? 
"_" A_AT1 genetic_JJ predisposition_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX necessarily_RR a_AT1 life_NN1 sentence_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Bouchard_NP1 ._. 
Exercising_VVG regularly_RR can_VM offset_VVI the_AT risk._NNU 2_MC ._. 
Some_DD People_NN Just_RR Have_VH0 More_RGR Fat_JJ Cells_NN2 And_CC the_AT range_NN1 is_VBZ enormous_JJ ,_, with_IW some_DD people_NN having_VHG twice_RR as_RG many_DA2 fat_JJ cells_NN2 as_CSA others_NN2 have_VH0 ,_, says_VVZ Kirsty_NP1 Spalding_NP1 ,_, PhD_NNA ,_, of_IO the_AT Karolinska_NP1 Institute_NN1 in_II Stockholm_NP1 ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 you_PPY 've_VH0 lost_VVN a_AT1 few_DA2 pounds_NN2 (_( or_CC gained_VVD some_DD )_) ,_, your_APPGE fat-cell_JJ count_NN1 remains_VVZ ,_, holding_VVG tight_RR to_II the_AT fat_NN1 already_RR inside_RL and_CC forever_RT thirsting_VVG to_TO be_VBI filled_VVN up_RP with_IW more_DAR ._. 
(_( To_TO add_VVI insult_NN1 to_II injury_NN1 ,_, the_AT fat_JJ cells_NN2 of_IO overweight_JJ and_CC obese_JJ people_NN hold_VV0 more_DAR fat_NN1 too_RR ._. )_) 
New_JJ fat_JJ cells_NN2 emerge_VV0 during_II childhood_NN1 but_CCB seem_VV0 to_TO stop_VVI by_II adolescence_NN1 ._. 
Those_DD2 of_IO us_PPIO2 destined_VVN to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 cells_NN2 probably_RR start_VV0 producing_VVG them_PPHO2 as_RG young_JJ as_CSA age_NN1 two_MC ._. 
The_AT cells_NN2 '_GE rate_NN1 of_IO growth_NN1 may_VM be_VBI faster_JJR ,_, too_RG --_JJ even_CS21 if_CS22 kids_NN2 cut_VV0 way_NN1 back_RP on_II calories_NNU2 ._. 
Strangers_NN2 have_VH0 written_VVN to_II Spalding_NP1 ,_, telling_VVG her_PPHO1 how_RGQ depressed_JJ they_PPHS2 are_VBR by_II her_APPGE research_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 says_VVZ her_APPGE news_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX all_DB bleak_JJ ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR better_JJR off_RP with_IW more_RGR fat_JJ cells_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, than_CSN with_IW fewer_DAR fat_JJ cells_NN2 that_CST become_VV0 overstuffed_JJ and_CC enlarged_VVD ._. 
(_( New_JJ research_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST the_AT overstuffed_JJ group_NN1 are_VBR more_RGR vulnerable_JJ to_II obesity-related_JJ health_NN1 complications_NN2 ._. )_) 
So_RR while_CS you_PPY ca_VM n't_XX reduce_VVI your_APPGE total_JJ number_NN1 of_IO fat_JJ cells_NN2 ,_, there_EX are_VBR things_NN2 you_PPY can_VM do_VDI to_TO keep_VVI them_PPHO2 small_JJ ._. 
(_( See_VV0 next_MD point._NNU )_) 3_MC ._. 
You_PPY Can_VM Change_VV0 Your_APPGE Metabolism_NN1 Another_DD1 Scandinavian_JJ team_NN1 looked_VVN into_II what_DDQ happens_VVZ at_II the_AT cellular_JJ level_NN1 when_CS you_PPY gain_VV0 weight_NN1 ._. 
Kirsi_NP1 Pietilinen_NP1 ,_, PhD_NNA ,_, an_AT1 assistant_JJ professor_NN1 of_IO nutrition_NN1 at_II Helsinki_NP1 University_NN1 Central_JJ Hospital_NN1 ,_, studied_VVD sets_NN2 of_IO twins_NN2 where_RRQ one_PN1 was_VBDZ fat_JJ and_CC the_AT other_JJ thin_JJ ,_, and_CC learned_VVD that_CST fat_JJ cells_NN2 in_II heavier_JJR twins_NN2 underwent_VVD metabolic_JJ changes_NN2 that_CST make_VV0 it_PPH1 more_RGR difficult_JJ to_TO burn_VVI fat_NN1 ._. 
Pietilinen_NP1 's_GE team_NN1 suspects_VVZ that_CST gaining_VVG as_RG little_DA1 as_CSA 11_MC pounds_NN2 can_VM slow_VVI metabolism_NN1 and_CC send_VVI you_PPY spiraling_VVG into_II a_AT1 vicious_JJ cycle_NN1 :_: As_CSA you_PPY gain_VV0 more_DAR fat_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 becomes_VVZ harder_JJR to_TO lose_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
How_RRQ to_TO get_VVI back_RP on_II track_NN1 ?_? 
"_" The_AT more_RRR I_PPIS1 learn_VV0 on_II the_AT job_NN1 ,_, the_AT more_RRR I_PPIS1 'm_VBM convinced_JJ we_PPIS2 need_VV0 physical_JJ activity_NN1 ,_, "_" Pietilinen_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
Once_RR a_AT1 chubby_JJ child_NN1 herself_PPX1 ,_, she_PPHS1 now_RT runs_VVZ regularly_RR and_CC is_VBZ at_II a_AT1 healthy_JJ weight._NNU 4_MC ._. 
Stress_NN1 Fattens_VVZ You_PPY Up_RP The_AT most_RGT direct_JJ route_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT food-in-mouth_JJ syndrome_NN1 :_: Stressful_JJ circumstances_NN2 (_( your_APPGE bank_NN1 account_NN1 ,_, your_APPGE boss_NN1 )_) spark_VV0 cravings_NN2 for_IF carbohydrate-rich_JJ snack_NN1 foods_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ in_II turn_NN1 calm_NN1 stress_NN1 hormones_NN2 ._. 
(_( When_CS researchers_NN2 in_II one_MC1 study_NN1 took_VVD away_RL high-carb_JJ food_NN1 from_II stressed_JJ mice_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE stress_NN1 hormones_NN2 surged_VVD ._. )_) 
Stress_NN1 hormones_NN2 also_RR ramp_NN1 up_II fat_JJ storage_NN1 ._. 
For_IF our_APPGE prehistoric_JJ ancestors_NN2 ,_, stress_NN1 meant_VVD drought_NN1 or_CC approaching_VVG tigers_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 rapid-storage_JJ process_NN1 made_VVD sense_NN1 ;_; we_PPIS2 needed_VVD the_AT extra_JJ energy_NN1 to_TO survive_VVI food_NN1 shortages_NN2 or_CC do_VD0 battle_VVI ._. 
Today_RT we_PPIS2 take_VV0 our_APPGE stress_NN1 sitting_VVG down_RP --_JJ and_CC the_AT unused_JJ calories_NNU2 accumulate_VV0 in_II our_APPGE midsection_NN1 ._. 
To_TO whittle_VVI yourself_PPX1 back_RP down_RP to_II size_NN1 ,_, in_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 your_APPGE usual_JJ workout_NN1 routine_NN1 ,_, make_VV0 time_NNT1 for_IF stress_NN1 relief_NN1 --_NN1 whether_CSW it_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 yoga_NN1 class_NN1 or_CC quality_NN1 time_NNT1 with_IW family._NNU 5_MC ._. 
Mom_NN1 's_GE Pregnancy_NN1 Sealed_VVD Your_APPGE Fate_NN1 A_ZZ1 mother_NN1 's_GE cigarettes_NN2 increase_VV0 the_AT risk_NN1 of_IO low_JJ birth_NN1 weight_NN1 ,_, and_CC alcohol_NN1 can_VM damage_VVI her_APPGE baby_NN1 's_GE brain_NN1 ._. 
So_RR why_RRQ would_VM n't_XX unhealthy_JJ foods_NN2 wreak_VV0 similar_JJ havoc_NN1 ?_? 
A_AT1 growing_JJ body_NN1 of_IO science_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_DD1 sugary_NN1 and_CC fatty_JJ foods_NN2 ,_, consumed_VVD even_RR before_CS you_PPY 're_VBR born_VVN ,_, do_VD0 exactly_RR that_DD1 ._. 
A_ZZ1 Pennington_NP1 study_NN1 on_II rodents_NN2 reports_VVZ that_CST overweight_JJ females_NN2 have_VH0 higher_JJR levels_NN2 of_IO glucose_NN1 and_CC free_JJ fatty_JJ acids_NN2 floating_VVG around_RP in_II the_AT womb_NN1 than_CSN normal-weight_JJ ones_NN2 do_VD0 ._. 
These_DD2 molecules_NN2 trigger_VV0 the_AT release_NN1 of_IO proteins_NN2 that_CST can_VM upset_VVI the_AT appetite-control_NN1 and_CC metabolic_JJ systems_NN2 in_II the_AT developing_JJ brain_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ 's_VBZ true_JJ for_IF mice_NN2 is_VBZ often_RR true_JJ for_IF humans_NN2 too_RR ._. 
Doctors_NN2 from_II State_NN1 University_NN1 of_IO New_NP1 York_NP1 Downstate_NP1 Medical_JJ Center_NN1 compared_VVD children_NN2 born_VVN before_II their_APPGE mothers_NN2 had_VHD gastric_JJ bypass_NN1 surgery_NN1 with_IW siblings_NN2 born_VVN later_RRR ._. 
Women_NN2 weighed_VVD less_RRR after_II the_AT surgery_NN1 ,_, as_CSA expected_VVN ,_, but_CCB their_APPGE children_NN2 were_VBDR also_RR half_RR as_RG likely_JJ to_TO be_VBI obese_JJ ._. 
Because_CS siblings_NN2 have_VH0 such_DA similar_JJ genetic_JJ profiles_NN2 ,_, the_AT researchers_NN2 attributed_VVD the_AT weight_NN1 differences_NN2 to_II changes_NN2 in_II the_AT womb_NN1 environment_NN1 ._. 
Moms-to-be_NN2 ,_, take_VV0 note_NN1 :_: You_PPY can_VM give_VVI your_APPGE kids_NN2 a_AT1 head_NN1 start_NN1 by_II eating_VVG well_RR before_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR born._NNU 6_MC ._. 
Sleep_VV0 More_RRR ,_, Lose_VV0 More_RRR When_CS patients_NN2 see_VV0 Louis_NP1 Aronne_NP1 ,_, MD_NNA ,_, past_JJ president_NN1 of_IO the_AT Obesity_NN1 Society_NN1 and_CC author_NN1 of_IO the_AT forthcoming_JJ book_NN1 The_AT Skinny_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR as_RG likely_JJ to_TO have_VHI their_APPGE sleep_NN1 assessed_VVN as_CSA their_APPGE eating_NN1 habits_NN2 ._. 
If_CS patients_NN2 are_VBR getting_VVG less_DAR than_CSN seven_MC to_II eight_MC hours_NNT2 ,_, Dr._NNB Aronne_NP1 may_VM prescribe_VVI more_RGR shut-eye_JJ rather_II21 than_II22 the_AT latest_JJT diet_NN1 or_CC drug_NN1 ._. 
With_IW more_DAR sleep_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" they_PPHS2 have_VH0 a_AT1 greater_JJR sense_NN1 of_IO fullness_NN1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 'll_VM spontaneously_RR lose_VVI weight_NN1 ._. "_" 
Why_RRQ ?_? 
University_NN1 of_IO Chicago_NP1 researchers_NN2 reported_VVD that_CST sleep_VV0 deprivation_NN1 upsets_VVZ our_APPGE hormone_NN1 balance_NN1 ,_, triggering_VVG both_RR a_AT1 decrease_NN1 in_II leptin_NN1 (_( which_DDQ helps_VVZ you_PPY feel_VVI full_JJ )_) and_CC an_AT1 increase_NN1 of_IO ghrelin_NN1 (_( which_DDQ triggers_VVZ hunger_NN1 )_) ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 think_VV0 we_PPIS2 're_VBR hungry_JJ even_CS21 though_CS22 we_PPIS2 are_VBR n't_XX --_JJ and_CC so_RR we_PPIS2 eat_VV0 ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, sleep_NN1 may_VM be_VBI the_AT cheapest_JJT and_CC easiest_JJT obesity_NN1 treatment_NN1 there_RL is._NNU 7_MC ._. 
Your_APPGE Spouse_NN1 's_GE Weight_NN1 Matters_NN2 When_RRQ Jodi_NP1 Dixon_NP1 's_GE six-foot-two_MC ,_, 360-pound_JJ husband_NN1 lost_VVD 125_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD mixed_VVN feelings_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ the_AT one_PN1 who_PNQS always_RR watched_VVD her_APPGE weight_NN1 and_CC exercised_VVN ;_; she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ always_RR the_AT one_PN1 trying_VVG to_TO get_VVI her_APPGE husband_NN1 to_TO be_VBI more_RGR active_JJ ._. 
Mort_VV0 ,_, a_AT1 medical_JJ sales_NN rep_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ always_RR the_AT life_NN1 of_IO the_AT party_NN1 ,_, says_VVZ his_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 43-year-old_JJ mother_NN1 of_IO two_MC in_II Freehold_NN1 ,_, New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB when_CS he_PPHS1 lost_VVD the_AT weight_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ different_JJ ._. 
"_" Men_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 would_VM flock_VVI to_II him_PPHO1 ,_, drawn_VVN to_II his_APPGE charisma_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 recalls_VVZ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 felt_VVD jealous_JJ ._. "_" 
Dixon_NP1 comforted_VVD herself_PPX1 with_IW food_NN1 and_CC gained_VVD 20_MC pounds_NN2 before_CS she_PPHS1 decided_VVD to_TO take_VVI action_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 began_VVD biking_VVG with_IW her_APPGE husband_NN1 and_CC enrolled_VVN in_II a_AT1 diet_NN1 program_NN1 ._. 
Eventually_RR she_PPHS1 trimmed_VVD down_RP ,_, too_RR ,_, shedding_VVG 30_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, and_CC has_VHZ her_APPGE sights_NN2 on_II losing_VVG more_RRR ._. 
Dixon_NP1 credits_VVZ the_AT weight_NN1 gain_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT loss_NN1 ,_, to_II her_APPGE jealousy_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB research_NN1 shows_VVZ that_DD1 weight_NN1 gain_NN1 and_CC loss_NN1 can_VM be_VBI ,_, well_RR ,_, contagious_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 study_NN1 in_II the_AT New_NP1 England_NP1 Journal_NN1 of_IO Medicine_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST if_CS one_MC1 spouse_NN1 is_VBZ obese_JJ ,_, the_AT other_NN1 is_VBZ 37_MC percent_NNU more_DAR likely_JJ to_TO become_VVI obese_JJ too_RR ._. 
The_AT researchers_NN2 concluded_VVD that_DD1 obesity_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO spread_VVI through_II social_JJ networks_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA in_II Dixon_NP1 's_GE case_NN1 ,_, slimming_VVG down_RP seems_VVZ to_TO be_VBI catching_VVG ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 within_II the_AT family_NN1 :_: When_RRQ Dixon_NP1 launched_VVD her_APPGE weight-loss_JJ plan_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE eldest_JJT daughter_NN1 ,_, also_RR overweight_JJ ,_, followed_VVD her_APPGE mom_NN1 's_GE healthy_JJ habits_NN2 and_CC lost_VVD 40_MC pounds._NNU 8_MC ._. 
Achoo_NN1 !_! 
A_AT1 Virus_NN1 Can_VM Cause_VV0 Obesity_NN1 Adenoviruses_NN2 are_VBR responsible_JJ for_IF a_AT1 host_NN1 of_IO ills_NN2 ,_, from_II upper_JJ respiratory_JJ tract_NN1 problems_NN2 to_II gastrointestinal_JJ troubles_NN2 ._. 
The_AT link_NN1 to_II fat_NN1 was_VBDZ uncovered_VVN when_CS researchers_NN2 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Wisconsin_NP1 injected_VVD chickens_NN2 with_IW the_AT viruses_NN2 and_CC found_VVD that_CST certain_JJ strains_NN2 fattened_VVD them_PPHO2 up_RP ._. 
Stem_VV0 cells_NN2 ,_, known_VVN for_IF their_APPGE chameleonlike_JJ abilities_NN2 to_TO transform_VVI ,_, also_RR turned_VVN into_II fat_JJ cells_NN2 when_CS infected_VVN with_IW the_AT viruses_NN2 ._. 
"_" The_AT virus_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO increase_VVI the_AT number_NN1 of_IO fat_JJ cells_NN2 in_II the_AT body_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT fat_JJ content_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 cells_NN2 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Nikhil_NP1 Dhurandhar_NP1 ,_, PhD_NNA ,_, now_RT an_AT1 associate_JJ professor_NN1 of_IO infections_NN2 and_CC obesity_NN1 at_II Pennington_NP1 ._. 
Human_JJ studies_NN2 ,_, including_II comparisons_NN2 of_IO twins_NN2 ,_, suggest_VV0 that_CST obese_JJ people_NN are_VBR indeed_RR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO harbor_VVI antibodies_NN2 for_IF a_AT1 particular_JJ virus_NN1 ,_, known_VVN as_II adenovirus-36_MC ._. 
We_PPIS2 have_VH0 flu_NN1 shots_NN2 ;_; could_VM an_AT1 obesity_NN1 vaccine_NN1 be_VBI the_AT next_MD step_NN1 ?_? 
It_PPH1 may_VM sound_VVI far-fetched_JJ ,_, but_CCB "_" that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ they_PPHS2 said_VVD about_II cervical_JJ cancer_NN1 too_RR ,_, "_" says_VVZ Dhurandhar._NP1 9_MC ._. 
Cookies_NN2 Really_RR Are_VBR Addictive_JJ While_CS food_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX addictive_JJ the_AT way_NN1 cocaine_NN1 or_CC alcohol_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, scientists_NN2 in_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 have_VH0 found_VVN some_DD uncanny_JJ similarities_NN2 ._. 
When_RRQ subjects_NN2 at_II Monell_NP1 Chemical_NN1 Senses_NN2 Center_NN1 in_II Philadelphia_NP1 were_VBDR shown_VVN the_AT names_NN2 of_IO foods_NN2 they_PPHS2 liked_VVD ,_, the_AT parts_NN2 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 that_CST got_VVD excited_JJ were_VBDR the_AT same_DA parts_NN2 activated_VVN in_II drug_NN1 addicts_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 may_VM have_VHI to_TO do_VDI with_IW dopamine_NN1 ,_, the_AT hormone_NN1 linked_VVN to_II motivation_NN1 and_CC pleasure_NN1 ,_, say_VV0 researchers_NN2 at_II Brookhaven_JJ National_JJ Laboratory_NN1 in_II Upton_NP1 ,_, New_NP1 York_NP1 ._. 
If_CS obese_JJ people_NN have_VH0 fewer_DAR dopamine_NN1 receptors_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 may_VM need_VVI more_DAR food_NN1 to_TO get_VVI that_DD1 pleasurable_JJ reaction._NNU 10_MC ._. 
Ear_NN1 Infections_NN2 Can_VM Taint_VV0 Your_APPGE Taste_NN1 Buds_NN2 For_IF years_NNT2 ,_, the_AT team_NN1 at_II Linda_NP1 Bartoshuk_NP1 's_GE taste_NN1 lab_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Florida_NP1 wondered_VVD why_RRQ people_NN who_PNQS tasted_VVD food_NN1 less_RGR intensely_RR than_CSN others_NN2 seemed_VVD more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO be_VBI fat_JJ ._. 
Researcher_NN1 Derek_NP1 Snyder_NP1 had_VHD a_AT1 theory_NN1 :_: Could_VM an_AT1 ear_NN1 infection_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ can_VM damage_VVI a_AT1 taste_NN1 nerve_NN1 running_VVG through_II the_AT middle_JJ ear_NN1 ,_, be_VBI the_AT missing_JJ link_NN1 ?_? 
After_II tabulating_VVG 6,584_MC questionnaires_NN2 ,_, the_AT team_NN1 discovered_VVD that_CST those_DD2 over_RG 35_MC who_PNQS had_VHD suffered_VVN several_DA2 ear_NN1 infections_NN2 had_VHD almost_RR double_VV0 the_AT chance_NN1 of_IO being_VBG obese_JJ ._. 
Responses_NN2 to_II additional_JJ questions_NN2 provided_VVN clues_NN2 as_II21 to_II22 why_RRQ ._. 
Former_DA ear-infection_JJ patients_NN2 were_VBDR a_RR21 little_RR22 more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO love_VVI sweets_NN2 and_CC fatty_JJ foods_NN2 --_NN1 perhaps_RR because_CS the_AT damaged_JJ nerve_NN1 causes_VVZ them_PPHO2 to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 higher_JJR threshold_NN1 for_IF sensing_VVG sweetness_NN1 and_CC fattiness_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR a_AT1 small_JJ increase_NN1 in_II calories_NNU2 from_II bad_JJ food_NN1 choices_NN2 adds_VVZ up_RP over_II time_NNT1 ._. 
Childhood_NN1 ear_NN1 infections_NN2 are_VBR as_RG hard_JJ to_TO avoid_VVI as_II the_AT colds_NN2 that_CST tend_VV0 to_TO bring_VVI them_PPHO2 on_RP ,_, but_CCB limiting_VVG passive_JJ smoke_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO drive_VVI down_RP incidents_NN2 of_IO ear_NN1 infection_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR an_AT1 overweight_JJ adult_NN1 who_PNQS suffered_VVD a_AT1 severe_JJ ear_NN1 infection_NN1 as_II a_AT1 child_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 may_VM be_VBI worth_II paying_VVG attention_NN1 to_II the_AT taste_NN1 and_CC texture_NN1 of_IO your_APPGE food_NN1 ._. 
Simply_RR finding_VVG healthier_JJR substitutes_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 fruit_NN instead_II21 of_II22 candy_NN1 ,_, or_CC olive_JJ oil_NN1 instead_II21 of_II22 butter_NN1 ,_, may_VM help_VVI drive_VVI you_PPY toward_II eating_VVG better_RRR and_CC weighing_VVG less._NNU 11_MC ._. 
Antioxidants_NN2 Are_VBR Also_RR Anti-Fat_JJ Free_JJ radicals_NN2 are_VBR now_RT blamed_VVN not_XX only_RR for_IF making_VVG you_PPY look_VVI old_JJ but_CCB also_RR for_IF making_VVG you_PPY fat_JJ ._. 
Zane_NP1 Andrews_NP1 ,_, PhD_NNA ,_, a_AT1 neuroendocrinologist_NN1 at_II Monash_NP1 University_NN1 in_II Australia_NP1 ,_, says_VVZ these_DD2 oxidizing_VVG molecules_NN2 damage_VV0 the_AT cells_NN2 that_CST tell_VV0 us_PPIO2 we_PPIS2 're_VBR full_JJ ._. 
Free_JJ radicals_NN2 emerge_VV0 when_RRQ we_PPIS2 eat_VV0 (_( something_PN1 even_RR the_AT keenest_JJT dieter_NN1 must_VM do_VDI to_TO survive_VVI )_) ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 're_VBR especially_RR prevalent_JJ when_CS we_PPIS2 gorge_NN1 on_II candy_NN1 bars_NN2 ,_, chips_NN2 ,_, and_CC other_JJ carbohydrates_NN2 ._. 
