New research announced Monday found that when human stem cells — the blank slate of the cell world — were exposed to a common virus they turned into fat cells. They didn’t just change, they stored fat, too.

While this may be a guilt-free explanation for putting on pounds, it doesn’t explain all or even most of America’s growing obesity problem. But it adds to other recent evidence that blames more than just super-sized appetites and underused muscles for expanding waistlines.

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UK Government guidelines recommend that we take 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. But what is “moderate exercise”?

It’s clear that many people who exercise are not working out at the right level of intensity. How many times have you been to the gym and watched a person reading a book or magazine while on the upright bike? How many people do you see each day that are dressed for exercise but are just strolling around the village?

At fitness-etc we believe that one of the simplest ways to check the intensity of your workout is to use the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Read more »

Obese people may be less likely to develop prostate cancer but more likely to die of the disease, a study says.

Researchers found the cancer was much less likely to develop in people who are insulin resistant - a pre-diabetes condition linked to obesity.

But they were more likely to develop an aggressive form of the disease likely to spread to other parts of the body.

The study involving 784 men, by Sweden’s Umea University, is published in the International Journal of Cancer. Click here for full article

Health experts are rewriting the guidelines for daily exercise amid fears that people count lightweight activities as part of their routines.

World Health Organisation recommendations have suggested that 30 minutes of gentle exercise each day would be enough to sustain a minimum level of fitness.

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Nine out of ten Britons can expect to suffer from high blood pressure within their lifetime.

Experts say the condition is now out of control with the number of sufferers worldwide expected to soar past the billion mark in the next 20 years.

An editorial focusing on the problem in The Lancet medical journal said the estimated number of adults living with high blood pressure around the world in 2000 was 972 million.

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30 years ago the marathon was the most testing and extreme of sports, now it’s the Ironman Challenge.

In 1978, there were only 15 challengers; in 2007 there will be 1700. The marathon covers 26.2 miles whereas the Ironman Challenge covers 140 miles! It comprises a 2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bicycle race; and to finish a 26.2 mile marathon! It can take up to 17 hours to complete.

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Parents should not restrict their children to low-fat diets despite concerns about obesity, experts have said.

A new study, published in the Nutrition Journal, says fat can be included as part of a healthy and balanced diet and has an important role in helping youngsters grow.

It comes a day after pregnant women were warned that upping their intake of fatty and sugary food could put their child at risk of obesity.

Today’s research found that children burn more body fat than adults for each calorie used up.

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Even a small pot belly can increase the risk of heart disease, scientists warn.

Research from the University of Texas found large waist measurements, relative to hip size, were linked to early signs of heart disease.

This confirms other research that waist size, rather than overall body weight, is a key indicator of heart disease.

The study of 2,744 people suggests that a waist size of 32ins (81cm) for a woman and 37ins (94cm) for a man represents a “significant” raised risk. Click here for full article

Even low levels of weekly exercise could help reduce blood pressure and improve fitness, scientists say.

Experts say walking for half an hour, five days a week, is the minimum required to achieve health benefits.

But a Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health report from Northern Ireland found walking on just three days a week gave similar benefits.

The finding could encourage those with sedentary lifestyles to take up exercise gradually, the authors say.

This could be helpful as few people currently meet the minimum recommendations for exercise, with many saying they do not have enough time. Click here for full article

According to Sir Steven Redgrave, if you’re thinking of getting fitter, losing some weight and generally improving your health, then the single best fitness machine for you is the Concept 2 Indoor Rower. Throughout his rowing career, it formed one of the main building blocks of his training. “No matter how hard I tried, I could never beat it. It never broke and it never let me down” he said.

The quality of the machine, the similarity to rowing on the water and the accuracy of the feedback enabled Sir Steven to attain a level of fitness and mental toughness far beyond anything he had achieved in his early days. Read more »