Eat less and exercise more - it has long been the mantra for shedding those extra pounds. But now it seems that all the hard work may have been in vain.
　　“少吃点，多运动”--这一直是肥胖者的减肥“座右铭”。但现在看来，所有的努力都可能白费了。

Scientists say there are ten other reasons why people just keep getting bigger. They claim that sleeping habits, central heating, medicines and even some pollutants can play a role in weight gain.
　　科学家们说，另有十条原因可以解释人们为什么不停的变胖。他们说，体重增加与睡眠习惯、中央供暖、药物、甚至某些污染物都有关。

Traditionally, health practitioners have focused on diet and exercise - and a large dose of willpower - to treat the problem.
　　针对肥胖问题，健康学家们一直强调饮食和运动，还有坚强的毅力。

However the scientists from top U.S. and Canadian universities say that these other factors must be considered.
　　然而，美国和加拿大一些名牌大学的科学家们说，以下这些因素也一定要考虑在内。

Lack of sleep could be partly to blame. In recent years, the average night's sleep has dropped from nine hours to just seven.
　　缺乏睡眠在一定程度上会导致肥胖。近几年，人们晚上的平均睡眠从9个小时下降到了7个小时。

Sleep deprivation alters levels of the hormones that regulate food intake and body fat and increase hunger and appetite.
　　缺乏睡眠会改变体内控制食物摄取和体脂肪的激素水平，增加饥饿感，促进食欲。

If it is too hot or too cold, we burn calories to cool down or heat up. But if the temperature is just right, the calories may be turned into body fat instead.
　　如果天气太热或太冷，体内热量的燃烧会使人体降温或升温。但如果温度适当，体内的热量则会转化为脂肪。

Those who take beta-blockers to control their blood pressure can often put on 3lb. Similarly, studies have shown that going on the Pill can add 11lb to a woman's weight.
　　吃β-受体阻滞药控制血压的人体重常会增加3磅。此外，研究表明，服用口服避孕药的女性体重会增加11磅。

Mother Nature may also be to blame, with our body shape being partly inherited. The overweight are also more likely to settle with partners of a similar size, and their children are more likely to be obese.
　　自然力量也是个因素。人的体型一部分由遗传因素决定。肥胖者往往会找一个和自己体型差不多的配偶，这样，他们的孩子肥胖的可能性就较大。

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