Being slimmer could be as simple as waking up early for some morning sunshine, US researchers suggested on Wednesday.
A small study of 54 volunteers showed that the leanest ones did not necessarily eat better or exercise more than the rest. They simply were exposed to more bright daylight earlier in the day.
The findings by Northwestern University researchers are published in the journal PLOS ONE.
"The earlier this light exposure occurred during the day, the lower individuals' body mass index," said co-lead author Kathryn Reid, research associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
"The later the hour of moderately bright light exposure, the higher a person's BMI."
Participants' average age was 30. They wore wrist monitors to measure their light exposure and sleep cycles, and kept food logs for the duration of the seven-day study.
Morning light was found to have an influence on body mass, regardless of a person's physical activity level, caloric intake, sleep timing, age or the season.
The study found morning light accounted for about 20 percent of a person's body mass index (BMI).
"Light is the most potent agent to synchronize your internal body clock that regulates circadian rhythms, which in turn also regulate energy balance," said study senior author Phyllis Zee.
"The message is that you should get more bright light between 8 am and noon," she added.
As little as 20 to 30 minutes could be enough to affect BMI, the study said.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Fri Apr 04 2014
Kedaulatan Digital: Astro gesa kerajaan semak undang-undang kukuh kuasa penguatkuasaan
Kerajaan digesa untuk membuat semakan undang-undang bagi mengukuhkan kuasa penguatkuasaan dalam membantu agensi berkaitan bertindak dengan lebih pantas demi kedaulatan digital Malaysia.
Tiga anggota polis direman kes rasuah pemandu lori
Tiga anggota polis direman empat hari sehingga Ahad bagi membantu siasatan kerana disyaki meminta dan menerima rasuah daripada pemandu lori di Mersing.
DOSM tambah 300 kaunter daftar PADU
Jabatan Perangkaan menambah 300 kaunter fizikal di seluruh negara dalam memastikan proses mengemas kini maklumat dalam sistem PADU lancar.
Wanita 20 tahun ke atas disaran jalani saringan kesihatan kesan NCD
"Jangan tunggu ada simptom baru nak uji, masa tu tak tahu sama ada komplikasi sudah berlaku atau tidak."
India bantah keras kenyataan AS berhubung penahanan Ketua Menteri Delhi
Pandangan negara luar berhubung penahanan Kejriwal dilihat telah merisaukan Kerajaan India.
Kuasa bekukan permit pemindahan padi antara negeri di bawah Akta 522 - KPB
Kuasa membekukan permit pemindahan padi antara negeri adalah di bawah Akta Kawalan Padi dan Beras 1994 (Akta 522) melalui fungsi Ketua Pengarah KPB.
Air Balang RM1 jadi tumpuan Bazar Ramadan Temenggong, Kulai
Bukan sekadar berniaga, pengusaha Air Balang RM1 juga ambil kesempatan lakukan jariah di bulan penuh kemuliaan.
Anggota polis didakwa minta, terima rasuah direman empat hari
Tiga anggota polis direman selama empat hari bagi membantu siasatan berhubung dakwaan meminta dan menerima rasuah berjumlah RM7,800.
Persembahan bertenaga Dolla pukau penonton di China
Aksi bertenaga mereka mendapat sambutan hangat daripada penonton di negara itu, menandakan langkah berani Dolla keluar dari zon selesa di negara ini mula menampakkan hasil.
AWANI Ringkas: Agihan RM0.67 bilion
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.