October 2014
Lower
temperatures may change body fat and metabolism
A study supported in part by the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institutes
of Health Clinical Center found that sleeping in cooler temperatures increased
brown fat and metabolism in five men. Brown fat is a type of fat in the body
that helps burn energy to create heat and maintain body temperature.
The subjects slept for at least 10 hours a night in a
research facility for 4 months during the study. The temperature was set at 75°
F during the first month, at 66° F during the second month, at 75° F during the
third month, and at 81° F during the last. The subjects’ diets were controlled
and they went about their typical activities during the day.
After the second month, when the men were exposed to lower
than normal temperatures, brown fat volume increased by 42 percent and fat
metabolic activity increased by 10 percent. After the third month, brown fat
volume and fat metabolic activity returned to near baseline. After the fourth
month, the changes that took place in the second month were no longer
detectable.
To read a more detailed summary of the study,
visit NIH Research Matters. For an abstract and a link to the study’s published
results, visit PubMed.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
Promote health among Hispanics with these resources
Each year from September 15 through October 15, National Hispanic Heritage
Month gives Americans the chance to celebrate the history, culture, and
traditions of Hispanics in the United States. Hispanics make up about 17
percent of the U.S. population, according to the Census Bureau.
More than 3 in 4 Hispanic adults and 4 in 10 Hispanic kids
are overweight or obese, and Hispanics are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Making small lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay health problems linked
to overweight and obesity. Use and share these resources to raise awareness and
promote healthy habits:
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Información
de la salud en español (Health Information in Spanish) from the NIDDK.
Check out this page for links to NIDDK resources in Spanish, including materials
from the National Diabetes Education Program and the National Kidney Disease
Education Program.
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Eat
Healthy • Be Active Community Workshops. Visit this webpage to access materials
in Spanish and
English for a series of six workshops on choosing healthy foods and beverages
and being physically active. Based on Government dietary and physical activity
guidelines, each workshop includes a lesson plan, handouts, videos, and hands-on
activities.
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Información de la
nutrición en español (Nutrition
Information in Spanish) from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This webpage
features links to tip sheets in Spanish about topics in nutrition, such as healthy
eating on a budget, consuming less salt, and eating breakfast.
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Watch for the next issue of the WIN Notes Update for …
…ways
to honor National Diabetes Month and make this year’s holiday season your
healthiest yet.
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