Scientists claim to have found 'cool secret' to weight loss without diets or exercise

The secret to losing weight without exercise or dieting may have been uncovered by researchers and it could be as simple as keeping cool.

Melbourne researchers claim the way to achieve weight loss results is to trick the body into burning more kilojoules, and they believe the extreme cold can help.

Professor Brian Oldfield said there's evidence that if you put humans at a substantially lower temperature for extended periods of time you can create “substantially more brown fat”.

Regular white fat stores kilojoules, but the body contains small amounts of brown fat, which helps to burn them.

People usually hold up to 70 grams of brown fat in their necks and shoulders.

Scientists are working on ways to boost our brown fat levels to help burn more kilojoules.

Researchers have successfully tested the theory on rats, finding the cold stimulated the process of darkening their white fat cells.

At this stage there is more research to be done and scientists will not say whether this is the silver bullet needed to solve the obesity crisis.

Melanie McGrice from the Dietitians Association said it is important to keep focusing on the same education that has always been promoted.

“Which is to make sure you’re getting plenty of physical activity and follow a healthy diet,” Ms McGrice said.

With 63 per cent of Australians overweight of obese, it is hoped the discovery can be used to create drugs to assist with weight loss.