Throughout the news in television and online, obesity seems like an unstoppable monster. Kids are being diagnosed with adult diabetes, nations are spending billions of dollars combating their weight problems, etc. But the news is also good: Continually, studies have found benefits pertaining to exercise and nutrition to counter these problems.
Below are some key news articles addressing the obesity articles, which offer both medical advances and fitness tips some positive and some seemingly negative incentives to offer yourself and your obesity-challenged clients.
Youth Obesity Goes Up, Outdoor Activity Goes Down1
According to the report, over 50% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2007, getting outside 11.36 billion times either close to home, in a nearby park or on an overnight trip. While the increase in participation comes as good news to the outdoor recreation industry, the report also reveals over an 11% decline in participation in outdoor activities among youth ages six to 17 with the sharpest declines among youth age 6 to 12.
Controlling Type 2 Diabetes with Carbs1
In a six-month comparison of low-carb diets, eating carbohydrates with the lowest-possible rating on the glycemic index leads to greater improvement in blood sugar control. Patients who followed the no-glycemic diet experienced more frequent reductions, and in some cases elimination, of their need for medication to control type 2 diabetes.
Physical Activity Alone Not the Cure1
A recent international study fails to support the common belief that the number of calories burned in physical activity is a key factor in rising rates of obesity. Loyola research suggests that weight control might not be among the main benefits. People burn more calories when they exercise. But they compensate by eating more, said Richard Cooper, Ph.D., co-author of the study and chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology.
Diet Alone Not the Cure, Either3
If you've just lost weight and are trying to keep it off, don't rely on diet alone to keep those unwanted pounds at bay. It may not be enough, no matter what kind of "maintenance" diet you follow, researchers say.
Obesity Comes with a Price Tag1
There are hard dollars-and-cents costs to being overweight or obese, according to Humana, one of the nation's largest health benefits companies. Specifically, Humana estimates these costs at the following for 2009: $19.39 in added health care costs for every overweight pound; $1,037.64 for every overweight individual; $127 billion added to the national health care bill.
Eating Less Fends of Middle Age Weight Gain1
Lots of experts disagree over the seemingly obvious notion of keeping weight off by trying to eat less a debate that centers on whether the practice backfires, leading to binging and weight gain. Now a new study shows that practicing restraint becomes more important with age.
