The problem of obesity is growing around the world thus making the need for effective intervention very urgent to avoid serious complications including heart disease and diabetes. According t new research, food restriction and regular exercise are the two main cost-effective strategies to prevent and treat obesity.

In an experiment conducted on mice it was observed that limiting access to food in mice increases the level of the hormone called Ghrelin, which in turn increases the motivation to exercise.  The study suggests that a surge in levels of appetite promoting hormone ghrelin, after a period of fasting promoted mice to initiate voluntary exercise.

This means that better die control for example limiting food intake to mealtimes, and fasting intermittently, could help overweight people maintain a more effective exercise routine, lose weight and avoid debilitating complications such as diabetes and heart disease.