Obesity and asthma are major public health concerns in the United States. The links between asthma and obesity are widely studied and well known; however, the effects of weight loss on asthma severity are not as evident. The following study aimed to examine whether weight reduction reduces asthma severity in adult obese-asthmatics especially by measuring airway hyper-responsiveness.
The main question: Do lifestyle interventions (weight loss and physical function) have a beneficial impact on older, sicker cancer survivors?
Researchers understand that cancer is most often a disease of aging, and frequently, a disease for which obesity is actually a high risk factor. As a result, many cancer survivors are older, overweight or obese, with higher risk of illness and comorbidities. The following study examined how overweight long-term survivors’ symptom severity prior to a diet and exercise intervention is associated with post-intervention function. The study also looked to determine symptoms’ effects on function through change in physical activity, diet quality and weight status. The study included 514 breast, prostate and colorectal cancer survivors. They participated in the one-year home-based diet and exercise intervention program. Researchers looked at both pre-intervention and post-intervention data including: pre-intervention symptoms, changes in weight, physical activity, diet quality and post-intervention overall physical health. Finally, researched looked at advanced lower extremity function. The results showed that weight loss and increased physical activity were significantly associated with higher physical function and advanced lower extremity function. Ultimately, symptom severity of older, overweight cancer survivors negatively affects physical function. However, greater weight loss and increased physical activity lead to higher physical function scores. The study highlights the importance of weight loss as a factor in maintaining function in older cancer survivors. Original article: AACR From Annals of Internal Medicine, American College of Physicians What is the problem?
Obesity is an important and prominent risk factor for diabetes, which is a disease that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. While researchers know that exercise is important to help reduce waist circumference and improve cardiovascular health, the effects of high-intensity exercise are still not solidified. The researchers conducted this particular study in order to determine whether it makes a significant difference if an exercise regimen involving the same total amount of exercise is completed at a lower or higher intensity. How was the study completed? The researchers gather 300 adults with abdominal obesity, who did not currently have diabetes. They were then randomly assigned to complete five exercise sessions each week that involved either a lower or higher total amount of low- or high-intensity exercise. A trainer supervised each session in order to monitor the amount and intensity of exercise. Throughout the study, researchers measured: waist size, weight, cardiovascular fitness and the body’s response to blood sugar. What did the researchers find? Compared to the control group, which was asked not to engage in any structured exercise, each exercise group reduced wait circumference and greater reduction in body weight. According to the study, performing the same amount of exercise at a higher intensity did not result in a significantly greater reduction in waist size or more weight loss. However, the participants in the high-intensity exercise group did have a greater increase in cardiovascular fitness and there was an improvement in how well the body controls blood sugar. The research conducted suggests that waist size may be reduced by both low and high intensity exercise as long as the same amount of exercise is performed (i.e. walking the same distance in either 60 or 40 minutes). While this research is enlightening, it is still unknown what the long-term health benefits are of the improved blood sugar control seen in people without diabetes. In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, PC Magazine wrote a great article detailing the truth about losing weight in the digital age through fitness trackers and apps. While fitness trackers may be the latest fad, you’ll still need a few more things to successfully lose weight including: a plan, a toolkit and a great support system to keep you motivated. Part of the weight loss problem is that too many people wearing activity trackers stop using their new gadgets within just six months. So, how do we suggest staying on track?
There is no magic pill or silver bullet when it comes to weight loss – no matter what advertisers and infomercials might say. However, a new Consumer Reports survey has found that many Americans are misinformed and inevitably persuaded to purchase ineffective and potentially dangerous supplements. The report shows that based on 3,000 participants, 20 percent of respondents believed that the U.S Food and Drug Administration guarantees the safety and effectiveness of these weight-loss supplements.
The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition reports that less than five percent of adults in the US participate in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity each day. The PCFSN also reports that while about 45 million Americans attempt to diet each year, weight loss and keeping that weight off can be extremely challenging.
We understand that changing your entire lifestyle is difficult, which is why Medical Metabolic Specialists is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle. However, we also understand that old habits die-hard and that life happens. While we’re always here to help, lifestyle choices can ultimately only be controlled by you. To help you stay healthy, the PCFSN complied a list of common pitfalls and ways to combat them.
Remember, losing weight and keeping it off is a commitment to a full change in lifestyle. Contact Medical Metabolic Specialists for tips to avoid weight gain and to begin your healthy journey towards a healthier lifestyle! The majority of us would agree that as a society we consume too much food, too much sugar and processed foods and just too much in general. TIME magazine writer, Ted Spiker, eloquently notes that the diet dilemma facing our nation “has everything to do with food. And nothing to do with food.”
What exactly does he mean by this? Weight loss and dieting have everything to do with adjusting our mindsets so that healthy life choices feel good rather than feeling like punishment. The following three mindset shifts should help you get started: These days, when we hear the word “diet” we cringe. We all hate the idea of denying ourselves the satisfaction of a bagel with cream cheese on a Monday morning or those slices of turkey bacon on a Sunday morning. However, a recent study reveals that all sensible diets do actually show results and that people should pursue the one that is easiest for them.
The study by Dr. Bradley Johnston pooled nearly 7,300 individuals, specifically overweight to obese adults. During the trials, Dr. Johnston randomized the adults and gave them each a specific diet to follow for a three-month period or longer. The analysis showed that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets revealed weight loss. Multiple studies have been conducted and are on going regarding the value and limitations of these specific diets. This research has shown that for a diet to succeed it must match the individual’s goals and personal challenges. But above all else, consistency is key. The good news is, there isn’t one specific miracle diet. However, your diet does depend entirely upon you and the effort you put in to guaranteeing a healthier and happier life style. To read more about this study, visit Boston.Com. In a recent article, TIME reveals the painful truth about obesity in America. According to the annual report from Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, obesity rates are increasing in six states and decreasing in exactly zero states.
The study shows that the six states whose obesity rates increased in the last year include: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee and Wyoming. However, two states have excelled beyond the rest. Mississippi and West Virginia are tired for the most obese state, with rates at 35.1%. We are proud to report that Colorado is the least obese state with a rate of 21.3%. However, this number is still high compared to the 15% obesity rate just 30 years ago. How and why do obesity rates increase? This can be attributed to both worsening eating habits and lack of exercise. Thanks to an influx of fast-food restaurants, low accessibility of affordable healthy foods as well as our sedentary lifestyles, the obesity epidemic continues to grow. Ginny Ehrlich, the director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s childhood obesity team, says: “If we don’t reverse these trends, the nation will stay on course toward disastrous health and cost outcomes.” To read more, visit TIME.
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MMSMedical Metabolic Specialists, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is dedicated to using the latest scientific techniques to create a comprehensive, individualized. lifelong weight management program to improve your overall health. Archives
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