Study: Some viruses may cause obesity

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A study suggests poor diet and lack of exercise might not entirely explain the prevalence of obesity in the United States -- viruses might also be at fault.

Dr. Richard Atkinson, the director of the Obetech Obesity Research Center in Richmond, Va., says there's a growing body of evidence demonstrating viruses might play a role in causing fat storage in humans.

"The cause of obesity is not a secret -- if you consume more calories than you burn in daily activity, you gain weight," said Atkinson. "What is interesting is that much of the obesity epidemic cannot be explained just by Americans eating more and exercising less. There are other factors at play, and viruses causing obesity may be one of them."

Atkinson reviewed multiple published articles that demonstrate a connection between viral infections and obesity. He found five animal viruses and three human viruses that have been shown to cause obesity in laboratory studies.

The researcher said he found significant evidence that animals, when infected with certain human viruses, experience excess weight gain and fat storage.

Atkinson reports his research in the October issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.