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.
Cancer: World’s Top Killer by 2010
Cancer will overtake heart disease as the world's top killer by 2010, part of a trend that should more than double global cancer cases and deaths by 2030, international health experts said in a report.
Excess Weight Deadly No Matter Where It Collects
Whether you're shaped like an apple or a pear, if you're overweight, you have a higher risk of dying than someone of normal weight, a new European study says. But, those who tend to collect their weight around the middle - apple-shaped - face an even higher risk of death than those whose excess weight tends to settle in their hips and thighs - pear-shaped.
Losing Weight Soon After Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Doubles Positive Outcomes1
People who lose weight soon after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes have better control of their blood pressure and blood sugar and are more likely to maintain that control even if they regain their weight.
There are several articles explaining obesity's link to several health issues, including several types of cancer:
Ovarian Cancer1 - A new epidemiological study has found that among women who have never used menopausal hormone therapy, obese women are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with women of normal weight.
Erectile Dysfunction1 - A new study shows that obese men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are shown to have low levels of hormones, such as testosterone. A correlation between certain conditions associated with obesity, particularly hypertension, are the most important determinants of obesity-related ED.
Decreased Male Fertility2 - Being obese may dim a man's chances of becoming a father, even if he is otherwise healthy, a new study suggests.
Teen Suicide1 - Teenagers who are overweight or obese are more likely to have considered suicide than those who are a normal weight, according to new research presented at a meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Child and Adolescent Faculty.
Colon Cancer3 - Research has suggested that colon cancer risk rises with increasing weight, but this finding points to a genetic reason for the link.
Kidney Stones (in Youth)3 - When you think of kidney stones, kids don't usually pop to mind. But doctors say they're seeing increasing numbers of children with the painful condition, and it could represent more fallout from the obesity epidemic.
Asthma1 - Researchers have found that hospitalization for asthma is about five times as likely for obese people than for non-obese people.
Larger Babies1 - And with them, an increase in C-sections. Obese women (those with a body mass index greater than 30) tend to both give birth to larger babies and to experience longer labors.
Chronic Kidney Disease1 - Healthy individuals who gain weight, even to a weight still considered normal, are at risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).
And more - including increased levels of insulin and estrogen, decreased immune system functionality, acid reflux and high blood pressure.
1 News articles derived from MedicalNewsToday.com.
2 News articles derived from Reuters.com.
3 News articles derived from HealthDay.com.
