Health & Fitness
Why weight-loss surgery cures diabetes: New clues
Scientists at The University of Manchester are a step closer to understanding why diabetes is cured in the majority of patients that undergo gastric bypass surgery. The research, published in the journal Endocrinology, shows the cure is likely to be explained by the actions of specialized cells in the intestine that secrete a cocktail of […]
Extreme obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years
Adults with extreme obesity have increased risks of dying at a young age from cancer and many other causes including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to results of an analysis of data pooled from 20 large studies of people from three countries. The study, led by researchers from the National […]
Neighborhoods with healthy food options less likely to have overweight kids
Children with a greater number of healthy food outlets near their homes had a reduced likelihood of being overweight or obese, finds an Australian study published in American Journal of Health Promotion. Children who had access to at least one healthy food outlet within 800 meters (about half a mile) of their home had a […]
Young Hispanics often obese, at higher risk for heart diseases
Obesity is common among U.S. Hispanics and is severe particularly among young Hispanics, according to research in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). The first large-scale data on body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular disease risk factors among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adult populations suggests that severe obesity may be associated with considerable excess risk […]
Why We Need to Stop Obsessing over the Scale
“Once a doctor visit.” This is my personal answer to the question, “How often do you weigh yourself?” And I’m serious. At the extremes, weight matters. In the middle, not so much. The response I usually get to my comment above is something like, “Well, you don’t need to worry about […]
Non-diet approach to weight management more effective in worksite wellness programs
Problematic eating behaviors and dissatisfaction with one’s body are familiar struggles among women. To combat those behaviors, which have led to higher healthcare premiums and medical trends, employers have offered worksite wellness programs to employees and their families. However, the vast majority of wellness programs limit their approach to promoting diets, which may result in […]
10 Exercises for Rock-hard Abs
On the list of most coveted body parts, a set of rock hard abs ranks at the top. While a six-pack is certainly attractive, its importance goes far beyond vanity. The stronger our core, the more functional our bodies will be in our daily lives (and not just on the beach!). A solid core […]
Sitting too much, not just lack of exercise, is detrimental to cardiovascular health
Cardiologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that sedentary behaviors may lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels. New evidence suggests that two hours of sedentary behavior can be just as harmful as 20 minutes of exercise is beneficial. The study, published in today’s online edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, examined the association between fitness levels, daily exercise, […]
U.S. scientists don’t publish articles about potential role of innate variation in athletic performance
Compared to scientists working in other countries, U.S.-based scientists are underrepresented as authors of articles on the potential role of innate variation in athletic performance that are published in peer-reviewed science journals, according to Grand Valley State University researchers. The findings are published in the online journal SpringerPlus. The research, conducted by Michael P. Lombardo, […]
Brisk walking may improve symptoms of Parkinson’s
People with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease who regularly walk for exercise may improve their motor function, mood, tiredness, fitness and some aspects of thinking abilities, according to a study published in the July 2, 2014, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “The results of our study suggest […]