Locusts May Provide The Key To Obesity

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 28 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Locusts may appear to have little to do with Australia's obesity epidemic, but research into what drives the appetite of these pests is providing clues as to why so many humans may be overweight or obese.

According to research by Professor Stephen Simpson of the University of Sydney, locusts keep eating until they take in enough protein. And he says humans could be doing the same which may explain the obesity crisis.

'If you feed locusts a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet they will gorge themselves until they reach their 'protein target'. So they over-eat carbohydrate and fat in an effort to get enough protein,' said Professor Simpson.

And he said the effect on body weight was clear - unless the excess fat and carbohydrate eaten to get to this target amount of protein are burnt up, weight will increase.

'These days, energy-rich manufactured foods are everywhere. They are usually lower in protein, and have more fat and carbohydrate. So getting to your target amount of protein often means you eat too much fat and refined carbohydrates in the process,' said Professor Simpson.

Presenting his findings at the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) national conference at the Gold Coast this week, Professor Simpson said the role of protein in the obesity crisis had, until now, been largely ignored.

'The amount of protein we eat has remained far more constant over time than the amount of fat and carbohydrate we eat, which has increased in recent decades. This research suggests that we should be focusing more on our intake of protein and that humans may also have a protein target that, once achieved, will lead to feelings of fullness. The next step is learning to recognise when we are comfortably full to avoid overeating,' said Professor Simpson.

It's estimated that more than seven million Australian adults are overweight or obese, up 16 percent from the late 1980s1.

Professor Simpson is quick to point out that he doesn't advocate the high-protein, high-fat Atkins-style diets, but one that includes around 20 per cent of total kilojoule intake from protein. And he said this must be accompanied by a drop in high-fat and refined carbohydrate foods.

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Denise Griffiths said: 'Including lean protein from healthy foods like lean red meat, chicken and fish, legumes, eggs and reduced-fat dairy foods can help people meet their daily protein needs. An APD can give you individual advice on how much protein you require.'

The DAA 26th national conference will be held from May 29 - 31 at Conrad Jupiters at the Gold Coast. The conference is titled 'Improving nutrition - a social responsibility'. For more information, visit http://www.daa.asn.au and click on the conference link from the home page.

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit http://www.daa.asn.au

Background information

Karen Struthers MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Queensland) will open the DAA national conference on Thursday, May 29 at 9am.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Overweight and obesity in adults, Australia, 2004-05. http://www.abs.gov.au

Dietitians Association of Australia