• 2010
    Aug 4
    2:10 PM

    Is Your A/C Causing You to Gain Weight?

    All of the hot weather recently has given us A) unmanageable frizzy hair that would make the '80s Michael Bolton 'do look tame and B) giant energy bills care of our constantly humming A/C.

    And after reading this article, we're afraid there may be a third not-so-nice consequence: Could our air conditioning be making us fat? Say it isn't so...
    According to University of Alabama biostatistician David Allison, Ph.D., there's a good chance that air conditioning plays a secret role in our nation's increasing obesity epidemic. Here's how:

    1. When we're exposed to temperatures that are uncomfortably hot or cold, our body has to work hard and expend more energy (i.e. burn calories) in order to regulate an optimal core body temperature (that sweet spot around 98.6). With more and more homes relying on A/C, our bodies don't have to work as hard, which lowers our metabolic rate by about 7 percent. 

    2. When we're cooler, we eat more. Animal and human studies have confirmed that our appetites increase when we're in a comfortably cool environment. One study showed that people tend to opt-for lower calorie food items in late summer, when temps peak.

    3. People who spend time outdoors are more active and have fewer weight issues than those who sit inside. Back in the 60s, when A/C was only in about 12 percent of homes, people headed outside to cool down -- whether it was to play in the sprinkler or meet friends at the park. These days, with A/C in nearly every home, we're less likely to "play" outside because we're perfectly comfy and cool on our couch, thank you very much (and please pass the chips...).

    Starting today, we're going to try to rely on our A/C a bit less -- setting it at 78 instead of 74. Even if it doesn't impact our scale reading, it can't hurt -- at least we'll be a bit greener and save some moolah (which we'll have no problem putting to good use!). 

    What temp is your thermostat set to during the balmy summer months?
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