Thinking may make you fat

William Atkins
Sunday, 07 September 2008 23:50

Science - Health

Plasma glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels were measured at seven different times within the study (before, during, and after the study). Measurements of appetite sensation were taken at each experimental session.

The participants asked to eat as much as they wanted to eat as soon as the sessions were completed.

The results showed that the females performed the computer tasks (#3) ate 253 calories more than the group reading and summarizing a document (#2) and consumed 203 calories more than the resting and relaxing group (#1).

The blood tests showed that the computer-test group had higher fluctuations of glucose levels than the resting group. Glucose provides energy to brain cells.

Their conclusion was that “KBW acutely induces an increase in spontaneous energy intake, and promotes an increased fluctuation in plasma glucose and insulin levels. This study contributes to the documentation of a new risk factor for a positive energy balance, with the potential to lead to overweight in the long-term.”

Dr. Chaput stated, "Caloric overcompensation following intellectual work, combined with the fact that we are less physically active when doing intellectual tasks, could contribute to the obesity epidemic currently observed in industrialized countries. This is a factor that should not be ignored, considering that more and more people hold jobs of an intellectual nature.” [Fox News: “Study: Thinking hard makes you hungry”]