Obesity possibly linked to virus.
Some scientists are now claiming that a virus originating from chickens might be responsible for obesity in some people. It has been labeled the SMAM-1 and while it hasn't been proven, it can theoretically be transferred from poultry to humans (antibodies have been found in people). The virus apparently causes a shrunken thymus, enlarged kidneys, an enlarged liver, and extra 'cushion' in the abdomen region. So can this mystery virus be the source of someone's obesity?