Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

When it comes to curbing hunger, aerobic exercise, like running on a treadmill, is more effective than non-aerobic activities, such as weightlifting. So says a new study in American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Participants doing aerobic exercise had decreased ghrelin levels and increased peptide YY levels, meaning appetite was suppressed. The non-aerobic group also had lower ghrelin, but no significant change in peptide YY levels; HealthDay News reports.

Actually, sleep has a lot to do with ghrelin too. Previous research reveals not getting enough sleep boosts ghrelin levels and increases hunger and appetite, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Just another reason why getting sufficient sleep is a good idea!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

New research in Stroke claims large waist circumference may boost stroke risk, even transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke. Scientists studied overweight individuals and determined, after accounting for confounding factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, inactivity and smoking, people with fat around the middle still had an increased risk of stroke; Reuters investigates.

Actually, just the other day, another studied showed even a tiny bit of belly fat ups heart risk and previous reports have determined large waist circumference increases death risk and cancer risk, a staunch warning for girls with muffin tops and fat guys in tight gym clothes. Eek!

People might tell you that chub around your waist is cute, but as Dr. Fuhrman points out, it’s a good indicator that you’ve still got weight to lose, doubly relevant for all those upcoming New Year’s resolutions.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A new study in the American Journal of Public Health involving 500,000 middle school and high school students in California suggests kids going to school within walking distance of fast food joints are more likely to drink soda and be obese and less likely to eat fruits and vegetables than students attending school not near fast food restaurants. Researchers claim fast food places are intentionally clustered around schools because they are popular hangouts for kids; Reuters reports.

Hopefully, if you teach kids how to eat wisely they won’t be tempted by fast food crap. But, one Los Angeles, California city official is taking the law into her own hands. She doesn’t want anymore fast food restaurants opening up in South-Central Los Angeles. Take that!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

America’s got a big obesity problem, costing us more than $100 billion a year. And, despite reports that obesity is leveling off, New York Governor David Paterson has proposed a tax on sugary beverages, like soda. In a letter, Paterson says the tax would apply to non-diet drinks and fruit juices that contain less than 70% percent juice. He compares the obesity tax to the taxes imposed on cigarettes, claiming the health and financial benefits are undeniable; via CNN.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is important. Not getting enough can cause depression and rickets. And now, a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has determined lack of vitamin D inhibits growth and leads to weight-gain in young girls. The shocking part is, scientists studied children living in sunny areas of California, which probably suggests kids aren't getting out enough; EurekAlert reports.

Via That’sFit.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A new study in Injury Prevention shows overweight or obese children have an increased risk of sustaining injuries to their arms and legs during a car crash. The researchers examined 3,232 children, ages 9 to 15, injured in car accidents. Still,  experts are hesitant to say being obese means you’re more likely to be injured, but the higher risk persisted even when other factors were considered, like sitting in the front seat or not wearing a seatbelt; from The New York Times.

No doubt, this is a freak risk, but other, more conventional dangers of obesity include headaches, cancer, psychiatric disorders and heart disease. Moral of the story, keep yourself and your kids fit and healthy. Oh, and drive safely!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A new study in the American Journal of Hypertension claims high resting heart rates may be associated with obesity and diabetes. Scientists split participants into 4 groups: heart rates of under 60, 60 to 69, 70 to 79 and over 80. Individuals with resting heart rates over 80 were 1.34 times more likely to be obese, 1.2 times more likely to develop insulin resistance and 4.39 times more likely to become diabetic; Reuters reports.
 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

New research in the American Journal of Sociology claims to be the first study to illustrate that the link between parents and children’s bodyweight is social as well as genetic. Scientists determined parents’ weight did contribute to a child’s likelihood of becoming obese, but lifestyle choices, like physical activity and meals, also played an important role, specifically in teens; Reuters investigates.

Actually, I think Dr. Fuhrman beat these guys to the punch. “Setting an example supported by both parents is the most important and most effective way for your children to develop a healthy attitude toward food,” he explains. Not mention, a previous report shows when families reconnect at mealtime, children become more likely to eating healthy as adults and less likely to pick up bad habits.
 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Nothing can ruin your day like a bad headache. And now research in Cephalalgia claims obesity may increase the likelihood of having severe headaches and migraines. The study examined 7,601 adult men and women, 65% of which were overweight or obese, and after 3 months, 15% of men and 28% of women reported having more headaches; Reuters reports.

Other obesity links include cancer, heart disease, miscarriage and thyroid inflammation.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

All kids should run around like that. Because according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism obese children may be damaging their thyroids. Researchers found an association between body mass and thyroid hormone levels, suggesting that excess fat could alter thyroid tissue, causing weight-gain, but more studies need to be done; Reuters reports.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

By 2025, diabetes will likely surpass 380 million cases worldwide, exacerbated by obesity rates, which show no signs of slowing down. World health experts are calling for action:

It's the responsibility of governments to enable populations to create the conditions where (healthy) lifestyle is an easy choice rather than something that's very difficult to achieve," Gojka Roglic of the World Health Organization's diabetes program told Reuters.

If you don't have a park to walk in, if the traffic is too dangerous, then people won't be encouraged to walk or ride bicycles. Or if there is crime and someone will kill you for your bike, then you won't be encouraged to cycle."

Some governments have already answered the call. New York City’s calories-on-menus law, Japan measuring waistlines and a town in Italy paying people to lose weight.
 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link