Recent studies have shown that increasing the levels of a hormone found in the stomach could aid in curbing appetite as well as increasing activity in overweight and obese people.

The results of the study have been published in the International Journal of Obesity.

The research team from Imperial College London gave injections of the hormone oxyntomodulin to fifteen overweight volunteers from Hammersmith Hospital. They were monitored for their subsequent food intake as well as their activity levels.

Lead researcher Professor Steve Bloom, from Imperial College London, says, ‘The discovery that this hormone has a double effect, increasing energy expenditure as well as reducing food intake, could be of huge importance. When most people diet, this produces a reduction in activity, which is probably an adaptive trait to conserve energy during times of famine. However this does make it especially difficult for obese individuals trying to lose weight.’

However oxyntomodulin has been shown to decrease calorific intake by increasing energy expenditure proving to be an ideal option for the obese. In addition a reduction in body weight of about 0.5 percent has also been observed.

This exciting discovery could better equip health care providers in treating the current obesity epidemic by concentrating more on exercise and less on food.