Easy way to lose weight... just turn the heat down

Obesity and the struggle to lose weight is starting to become the plight of our time. Much research  is being done to find effective ways to understand the causes and finding effective ways to win this losing battle. Right now, more than one third of adults in the US are obese or overweight and a little more then a quarter of the adults in UK is obese or overweight.
Amongst all that research work a recent study published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism Journal, suggests that central heating might be another contributing factor to rising number of overweight individuals. As the temperature in homes, offices, hospitals and most places is being kept high our bodies are no longer burning that many calories to keep the body warm. Normally our metabolism rate (BMR) rise in cold weather to produce body heat. About 80% of the energy produced from our food intake is used up by our BMR.

According to the researchers at Maastricht University, a temperature of 66F would suffice to maintain a normal balance. The report also points out that about 90% of people remain mostly indoors while keeping the temperature at maximum comfort levels in turn minimizing caloric use by our bodies to maintain normal body temperature, shifting the balance towards weight gain.

Although lowering the thermostat alone may not lead to weight loss but it will definitely help along with exercise and diet. The report also mentions a study from  Japan in which volunteers showed a decrease in body fat after spending two hours a day in 17C over a period of six weeks.According to BBC World reporter James Gallagher;

Dr Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt told the BBC: "19C is enough - and not for the whole day.
"Energy increases were in the order of 6% in mild cold, and in the long term that could really make a difference.
"It could be a substantial influence and help in combination with food changes and exercise." 
He said people could "try turning the thermostat down" at home or "go outside".


P.S: 
Central heating may make you fat, say researchers (BBC World) 
Want to lose weight? Try turning your heating down: Being cold is a 'cheap way to get slim' (Daily Mail UK)