Archive for the ‘Obesity’ Category

Physical Activity Can Prevent Most Major Chronic Medical Problems

Monday, January 14th, 2008

                                     Physical activity is a well accepted treatment when prescribed for patients after orthopedic surgery or for rehabilitation after a stroke.  Physical activity is also felt to reduce the risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  However, despite these accepted benefits, the percentage of adults ...

Where you Live can Affect your Chances of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

A recent study published in the journal, Epidemiology, suggests that people who live in certain neighbourhoods have an increased chance of developing insulin resistance and subsequent type 2 Diabetes. People who lived in neighbourhoods "more conducive" to exercise and healthy diet had less insulin resistance. These ...

Excessive Abdominal Obesity Is a Strong Predictor of Heart Disease and Diabetes

Sunday, December 9th, 2007

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   There is a worldwide increase in the incidence of diabetes and this is largely related to the growing epidemic of obesity.  Overall increases in body weight  increase the liklihood of developing many disease states such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and tryiglycerides, increased tendency for the blood to ...

Know the Risk, Make the Change

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

Researchers from McGill University in Montreal found that simply by having physicians discuss their patients' risks for heart disease and educate them on how to reduce them, a measurable improvement was seen.  Patients were randomised to either receive "usual" care, or to have specific "ongoing feedback regarding their calculated coronary risk and ...

Finally Some Good News About Obesity…. (Sort of)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

With all the concern about obesity in this country, it is good to hear that a recent study conducted by the CDC showed that although obesity rates remain high, there has been no real increase in adults in the last few years.  The levels are currently 34% of adults aged ...

Higher Heart Rate Predicts the Risk of Developing Hypertension

Monday, November 26th, 2007

                                                  An elevated heartrate is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular illness and death.  This study looked at whether an elevated heartrate in people with normal blood pressure was linked to developing elevated blood pressure in the future. Subjects were grouped in quartiles(4 groups) based on ranges of heartrates.   There ...

Eating Disorders in Teenagers. The Incidence in Boys is on the Rise.

Monday, November 26th, 2007

A study recently out of Wesleyan University looked at the break down of weight control practises amongst teenagers of different ethnic backgrounds.  These included dieting, vigourous exercise, purging,  and using diet products.  What was found was that there were racial differences among the sexes, although overall, more girls than boys practised these activities.  ...

Wanna Get in Shape? Wear a Pedometer

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

Many people have always needed motivation to exercise and according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, wearing a pedometer is a good way to do so.   Researchers looked at 26 mostly observational studies involving pedometer use in over 2000 people whose wearing them increased ...

Another Risk Factor for Asthma? Girls who don’t Drink Enough Milk and are Obese are at Greater Risk.

Monday, November 19th, 2007

    It has been well known that obesity in children is associated with a greater risk for developing asthma.  However, a recent study published by researchers in Canada shows that inadequate milk consumption is also a risk factor.  Girls who tend to drink more milk are more often less overweight so it ...

Keeping the Young-Elderly Healthy: Is It Too Late To Improve Our Health Through Nutrition?

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

Despite past nutritional and lifestyle practices not being optimal, there is adequate opportunity even in later years of life to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and disability in future years.  It should never be considered too late to benefit from these lifestyle changes, as they can favorably impact one's ...