The Little Book of Irish Science SFI Little Book of Irish Science | Page 58

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4
Healthy weight,
healthy immune system
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic. Ireland is predicted
by the World Health Organization to become the fattest
country in Europe by 2030. The current strategy for
weight loss is simplified to, fewer calories in, more
calories out. The Obesity Immunology Research Group
in University College Dublin however, is investigating
the role the immune system may play in controlling
body weight, with the latest research indicating that
the immune system could actually be “protecting” us
against weight loss. The team have found that in the
absence of certain parts of the immune system we gain
weight and even with new weight loss therapies, we fail
to lose weight until the immune system is restored.
www.stvincents.ie/E.R.C/Obesity_and_Endocrinology_
Group.html