Aug. 15, 2011 — Researchers are testing a new tool that helps doctors figure out which overweight and obese patients are most in need of medical treatment and which are likely to remain healthy, even at very large sizes.
The tool, called the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), was developed by researchers in Canada, a country where people who need weight loss surgery can linger for years on waiting lists.
“When you have a waiting list, you try to think about how you prioritize people on that waiting list,” says study researcher Arya M.
Aug. 25, 2011 — Half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 if current trends continue, a new report shows.
About one in three adults in the U.S. are obese today. That figure will rise to half of American adults by 2030 if little is done to address the obesity epidemic, Columbia University researcher Claire Wang, PhD, said today at a news briefing in London.
With those numbers will likely come higher rates of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and some types of cancer.
“Our projections find that rising obesity is going to result in increases in many of these chronic diseases which are disabling and expensive to treat,” Wang said.
The term Mediterranean Diet refers to foods that have been traditionally associated with people that live near the Mediterranean Sea.
Although there are several different countries located around the Mediterranean, research has shown that the traditional diet contains many foods that may lead to a healthier lifestyle.
The Mediterranean diet incorporates the fundamental concepts to healthy eating.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the Mediterranean diet is a heart healthy option that can improve the quality of life for many people.
Food consumed in this part of the world are made up of vegetables, grains, seafood, nuts and olive oil; people in this region also typically eat less red meat, dairy, sugar and refined flour.
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and seafood can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, by reducing LDL cholesterol.
The Mediterranean diet is high in antioxidants, which naturally combat LDL cholesterol, which can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease.
The Mayo Clinic conducted a study that analyzed over 1.5 million people that were following the Mediterranean diet meal plan.
To offer guidance to athletes, coaches and parents, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has issued a new set of guidelines for safe weight loss by athletes.
They include: using body composition assessments to measure lean body mass versus fat; gradually shedding no more than 1.5% of body weight a week; eating a balanced diet that includes all food groups; and losing weight under the supervision of nutrition, health and weight management experts.
“In the performance sports — gymnastics, dance, ballet — they have this huge responsibility to not only do a performance but to look good while they are doing it.