Fructose consumption seems to decrease hormones that control food intake.

Researchers found that normal weight women who consumed fructose-sweetened beverages lowered their 24-hour insulin and leptin levels as well as increased the post-meal triglyceride levels as compared to glucose-sweetened beverages. The hormones insulin and leptin help control satiety levels, and the authors suggested that high fructose intakes might lead to obesity.

PositiveTip: Most soft drinks and many sweet desserts are high in fructose, and would best be avoided.

Inflammatory hormones increase with weight gain.

Obesity has been found to be a low grade inflammatory state with fat cells producing a host of inflammatory hormones that lead to comorbidity. Weight loss decreases proinflammatory C-reactive protein, TNF, IL-6 and leptin and increases the anti-inflammatory hormone adiponectin produced by fat cells.

PositiveTip: Drink 6-8 glasses of water, exercise, eat a low-fat diet of whole grain cereals, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and don't skip breakfast to help reduce body fat.