Over the past century, hookworm infections have become rare in developed countries such as the United States.
In less industrialized countries, “infectious diseases, including worm infections, are common,” noted Haining Shi. He studies pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. People living in such countries have lower rates of chronic (long-term) disease than those in industrialized countries, he added. This prompted Shi’s team to test an idea: could parasites help prevent some serious, chronic diseases?
The group decided to focus on obesity. One-third of US adults are obese. One in six children is overweight or obese. Carrying too much body fat can lead to other serious health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
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