研究：寒冬開大暖氣可瘦身

把暖氣開大，電錶要多讀幾個字，但這能讓體重秤指針向左走幾步。

一項新的研究顯示，居住在溫暖房間裏的人比起那些整個冬天都凍得瑟瑟發抖的人肥胖的可能性更小，他們的體重指數（BMI）趨於較低水平。

蘇格蘭斯特靈大學的研究者們在長達13年的時間裏，對10萬多依賴中央暖氣的成年人進行了研究，發現了較高氣溫和較低體脂比之間的直接聯繫。研究顯示，不光是我們吃的東西和運動量決定了體重，家家戶戶的室溫也可能對保持理想體重起決定作用。

研究人員認爲，居住在一個較溫暖室內環境下的人可能吃得更少，燃燒了更多脂肪。舒適的室溫是在20.3-23攝氏度之間，這樣的室溫下人們穿着衣服不冷也不熱，感覺很舒服。在此溫度範圍之上，人們會因消耗更多能量、食慾被壓抑而吃得更少。

Scientists fear rising energy bills may lead to an increase in obesity after discovering a link between poorly-heated homes and higher body fat.

Researchers from the University of Stirling's Behavioural Science Centre set out to explore claims that warm indoor temperatures have contributed to rising obesity levels in winter.

Instead, the team found that people who live in well-heated homes are more likely to have low body mass index (BMI) levels while those who keep their heating turned down or off tend to be heavier.

Dr Michael Daly, behavioural scientist and senior lecturer, said: "We set out to investigate the scientific claims that cooler indoor temperatures help us maintain a healthy weight by pushing our bodies to expend more energy through shivering and generating heat through tissues.

"In fact, the research suggests people may eat less and burn more energy when residing in a warmer indoor environment."

The 13-year study, published in the journal Obesity, involved more than 100,000 adults across England.

Researchers found reduced weight levels among people living in homes heated to above 23C (73F), which accounted for about 15,000 of the households studied.

Dr Daly said: "As national gas bills continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation, this research suggests the obesity epidemic could worsen where heating is turned down below comfortable levels or off for lengthy periods to cut costs.

"This is not just about people who live in well-heated homes being in the financial position to afford more expensive low-calorie foods, exercise classes and sporting activities, and therefore finding it easier to maintain a low BMI level. The study took age, gender, social class and other factors into account.

"The comfortable ambient temperature of 20.3-23C is where we feel comfortable in our clothes and are neither hot nor cold. At temperatures above this, we expend more energy and we eat less because our appetite is suppressed."