Cold virus may spur weight gain, study finds

A common virus that causes colds can be a factor in obesity, according to a study this week which offers further evidence that a weight problem may be contagious.

The adenovirus-36 (Ad 36) has already been implicated as the cause of weight gain in animals, but with this study researchers showed for the first time that it can also cause humans to pile on the pounds.

The findings could accelerate the development of a vaccine or antiviral medication to help fight the battle of the bulge alongside diet and exercise.