SAGA — Doing things properly

Is the miserable weather making you fat?

Why our dreary summers could be giving us an unwanted extra layer

Our washout summer could be helping us to pile on the pounds. Scientists are saying that not enough sunshine can make us fat, according to a study published in the journal, Bone.

Researchers from Aberdeen University found that women who had less exposure to sunlight were more likely to be overweight than women who spent more time in the sun. They think this is because the skin makes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight, and vitamin D helps to control appetite.

Researchers looked at over 3,000 postmenopausal women living in north-east Scotland over a two-year period. The volunteers provided blood samples and completed detailed questionnaires about diet, exercise and exposure to sunlight.

The study found that those women who were overweight had lower levels of vitamin D in their blood than their trimmer peers. This was true even after adjusting for age, physical activity, smoking, use of HRT and socio-economic status.

Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D in the blood disrupts the action of the hormone leptin, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full. People with vitamin D deficiency may be prone to overeating because their brains are not telling them they have had enough.

We get most of our vitamin D through exposure to sunlight - so people who get little sun exposure can become deficient. This is particularly true for people who live in higher latitudes like Scotland where the sun is less intense. Older people need to be more vigilant too because skin becomes less efficient at making vitamin D as we grow older.

'This is interesting research and it is important that people who don't get enough sunshine should think about ways of boosting their vitamin D levels,' said Jacqui Lowdon, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA), 'However there are more fundamental reasons why people put on weight - such as lack of exercise and eating a poor diet. If someone wants to stay trim and healthy the most important thing is to follow a healthy lifestyle - eat lots of fresh fruit and veg and keep active.'

Vitamin D is essential for the metabolism of calcium in the body – so it is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Too little of the vitamin can result in diseases like osteoporosis where the bones are prone to breaking.

It is very difficult to get enough vitamin D in the diet as very few foods contain the nutrient. The best natural sources are eggs, oily fish and liver. However even if you eat fortified foods like cereal and margarine it is impossible to get enough through diet alone.

For younger people short levels of normal sun exposure are sufficient to build up plentiful supplies of vitamin D. But as we get older it may be necessary to take a supplement to make sure you are getting enough. The government recommends that everyone over 65 take a 10mcg vitamin D supplement every day.

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• Are you a victim of 'fat flu'?
• Fat thighs may be in your genes
• Feeling down? Watch you don't tip the scales
• More diet and weight loss articles

More on vitamin D

• An overview of what vitamin D can do for you
• Viva vit D - the sunshine vitamin that fights ageing and helps protect against certain diseases
• Sunshine - the good news
• Vitamin D deficiency linked to back pain in women
• Vitamin D may boost life expectancy

How to get summer's benefits

• Feel like you're body has been cheated of a summer? Find out how to mimic the health benefits of everyone's favourite season
• Fed up of our British summer - perhaps it's time for a sunshine break, get some great ideas here

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Reader comments

And the better the weather, it is more likely we will eat salads and lighter, fresher food. When it is cold outside, we are naturally drawn to comfort food, high in carbohydrates and fats. A natural process, I think, as we needed to in days past to keep us warm and give us the energy to do our work. Roast dinners in the mediterranean countries just don't work!

Posted by: Denise M | 21/07/2008 23:06:44

I think it may be simpler than that...the better the weather, the more likely I am to be outside, busy and away from food, with much less temptation to snack. At the same time, I get more exercise, whether gardening, walking, cycling, shopping or whatever.

Posted by: DaveH | 21/07/2008 08:59:56

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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.

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