Much is known about the negative health consequences of first-hand (direct) and second-hand smoking. This includes an increased risk for cancer, heart disease, lung diseases (asthma and COPD), and an increased risk for lung infections. In infants, second hand smoke is also associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A new…
Historically, women were told to refrain from exercise during pregnancy out of concern for pre-mature birth and fetal stress. Unfortunately, this often led to excessive weight gain during pregnancy and an inability to lose that weight following birth. An increase in a mothers weight is associated with obesity in the offspring later in life. Obesity…
Research overwhelmingly suggests that consumption of sugar sweetened beverages including pop and juice is linked with obesity and type-2 diabetes. Specifically, overconsumption of sugar can lead to excessive weight gain and an increased risk of type-2 diabetes. Many people turn to diet drinks sweetened with artificial sweeteners to cut their consumption of sugar while still enjoying…
There are currently around 1.9 billion adults worldwide who are overweight, 600 million of whom are obese. In response to the rising rates of obesity, diets and diet foods have become common place in our society. One of the most common and popular diet alternatives is artificial sweeteners. Common artificial sweeteners include: aspartame, sucralose (Splenda ©), saccharin (Sweet’n…
Waist to hip ratio (WHR) is an indicator of health that is used to estimate fat deposition in the abdominal region. An increase in the WHR, known as the apple shaped body, is associated with decreased fertility and increased risk of heart disease. Research has shown that the tendency for someone to have an apple…
Childhood obesity, which currently affects around 18% of all American children between 6-11 years old, is considered to be the combination of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and environmental factors such as being from a house with overweight parents. There have been established links between food advertising that targets children and the rise in childhood obesity…
Obesity and type-2 diabetes are at frightening levels worldwide. Losing weight is the best way to help combat this rising epidemic. There are many diets claiming to help you lose weight quickly and many companies that have made millions by convincing people that their diet was the one that would work. However, the fact is…
A United Nations (UN) meeting in 2011 set a target to halt the progression of diabetes that is not with age by 2025. That is to say, the health systems of the world need to implement systems that prevent the rise in diabetes caused by diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking by 2025. This is…
As you have likely heard a number of times, obesity and diabetes are on the rise. Currently, 1 of every 3 Americans is obese and 1 in every 10 Americans has type 2 diabetes. The two diseases are closely related and are often seen together in the same person. Obesity is most simply caused by…
It seems like every year there is a new book being published extolling the virtues of the cant miss new diet that is guaranteed to help you lose weight fast. One of the most recent fad diet to be added to the growing list is the paleo diet. It generally involves consuming a diet that is…
