Americans Have Gotten Wider—But Not Taller—In the Last 2 Decades
https://ift.tt/2ECV0y0 American have gotten wider in recent years, but not taller, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, published today by the National Center for Health Statistics, found that average weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) increased among all age groups between 1999 and 2016. Overall, men’s average weight increased by more than 8 pounds during that time period from 189.4 in 1999–2000 to 197.9 in 2015–2016. Women’s average weight increased by nearly 7 pounds, from 163.8 to 170.6. Average heights, however, did not see similar growth. Most groups saw no significant change in height over the study period, while some—like women of all ages, and men 40 to 59—saw an overall decrease in stature. The results were similar among most demographics, with the exception of black men and Asian men and women. Among black men, measurements of weight and waist circumference increased until 2006, then leveled off. Asians (of both sexes) were the only group that saw no significant change in width nor height. RELATED: 15 Things Nobody Tells You About Losing Weight The study included measurements from a nationally representative sample of more than 45,000 adults, and it provides an update to a previous study of height and weight trends through the early 2000s. In that report, it was revealed that the average American weight increased by more than 24 pounds between 1960 and 2002. Average height also increased, by about 1 inch, over those four decades. Steven Heymsfield, MD, president of The Obesity Society, says the results of this study are not surprising. “Clearly, there has been an increase in adiposity in this country,” says Dr. Heymsfield, who was not involved in the new report. Many studies have documented growing waistlines and rising BMIs over the last several decades, he says, along with increases in the prevalence of obesity-related health problems. But the findings are still important, he says, because they show that height has not played a role in changing BMI patterns over the years. (BMI is a measure that takes both height and weight into account, so it’s influenced by changes in either.) “It proves that what we’ve suspected is correct—that BMIs are getting higher and higher, and we can’t blame it on the fact that people are getting taller or shorter,” he says. “It’s dismaying, but also reassuring for our research.” RELATED: 57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science It’s helpful that the study also looked at weight and waist circumference, says Dr. Heymsfield, since BMI doesn’t paint a complete picture of one’s health. It doesn’t take into account muscle mass versus body fat, for example, so people with a lot of the former may fall into the overweight or obese category even if they're very physically fit. Studies have suggested that measurements such as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio may be better indicators of a person’s overall health. So now that we have evidence—even more evidence, that is—that the obesity epidemic is real, what can we do about it? Dr. Heymsfield says there’s lots of ongoing research, and that scientists are making new discoveries every day. “We’re looking at this on the molecular level, and progress has been breathtaking,” he says. “We now know that there are certain genes that predispose people to obesity, and that’s helping us to identify people much earlier in life who are at risk.” Scientists are also studying how public policy efforts—like calorie labels at restaurants and taxes on sugary beverages—can help turn the tide. RELATED: 13 Types of Cancer Linked to Being Overweight On an individual level, if you’re concerned about your weight, there’s also the age-old advice that doctors have been giving for decades: Strive to get the recommended amount of physical activity, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about obstacles that might be standing in your way. This study shows you’re definitely not alone—and provides even more incentive for Americans to reverse this troubling trend. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com https://ift.tt/2um58Un December 20, 2018 at 04:02PM
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Jenna Jameson Just Revealed the Most Unexpected Thing About Her Weight Loss Journey
https://ift.tt/2UU83QJ Jenna Jameson hasn’t held anything back while documenting her weight-loss journey on Instagram. She’s shared before and after shots, keto eating tips, and more. In a recent post, Jameson got real about how losing weight has affected her happiness. Spoiler: It doesn’t fix all of life's problems. “Being thin won't change sadness. It won’t fix relationships. It doesn’t quiet the demons. It doesn’t make you love yourself more. It doesn’t calm anxiety,” Jameson wrote alongside a photo of herself in a hoodie. RELATED: Jenna Jameson Shares the Most Relatable Thing About Self-Care Since Getting Sober and Becoming a Mom The mom of two has lost 80 pounds since starting the keto diet back in April, and she regularly posts about how much better she feels. She’s said she felt slower both physically and mentally before starting the diet. Going low-carb has also reduced inflammation in her body and completely changed the look of her face, she believes. But that doesn’t mean her life is suddenly all sunshine and rainbows. “It doesn’t take away the nightmares. It doesn’t make you feel social. It doesn’t make you of service to others,” she wrote. RELATED: Jenna Jameson Celebrates Losing 80 Lbs. After Going Keto and Shares Her Daily Diet Plan Sure, losing weight isn’t a miraculous cure-all, but Jameson does go on to say it’s put her closer to where she wants to be. “It is a step towards all of these things. I guess my point is don’t be afraid to take that first step,” she wrote. It’s important to have reasonable expectations when trying to lose weight. No, it won’t fix all of your problems, but it can push you in a healthier direction. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com https://ift.tt/2um58Un December 20, 2018 at 09:28AM
Could a tiny implant boost weight loss?
https://ift.tt/2EGisKS A recent study tested a small, battery-free implant that can shut down feelings of hunger by stimulating a nerve that runs from the stomach to the brain. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc December 19, 2018 at 03:51AM
What Happened When This Woman Went from a Low-Carb Diet to Counting Her Macros
https://ift.tt/2SaV1fY Today's transformation photos are often a lot more nuanced than "I lost weight." Case in point: A recent Instagram post by Shannon Collins, an Indiana-based woman behind the account @thegymnurse. Collins posted three side-by-side photos to show the results of revamping her diet twice. RELATED: These Are the 10 Diets Everyone Tried in 2018, According to Google According to Collins, the photos are almost three years apart. Between the first two photos, she lost 30 pounds after she started a lower-carb diet. For her, that meant only eating when she was hungry and avoiding refined carbs such as bread, crackers, and sweets, she revealed in her caption. "After a while, I feel like a hit a plateau and just couldn't take it to the next level," she wrote. (BTW, science found the best workout to overcome your weight-loss plateau.) So she decided to start tracking her macros and eating to hit a specific number of grams of protein, fat, and carbs, instead of just avoiding refined carbs. "Since August 2018 I've been macro counting and the results have come. You can somewhat see the transition of weight loss on this page," she wrote, referring to the third, most recent photo. Over the weekend, Collins shared a follow-up post explaining some of the specifics behind her transformation. When she switched to counting macros, her workout routine remained mostly unchanged, suggesting her results were mainly a result of diet. Her weightlifting routine stayed the same, but she added in 10 to 20 minutes of cardio, which she hadn't been doing before. "I still did 6 days in [the] gym," she wrote. "Now that weight was falling off you could see the muscle that was deep within." RELATED: 4 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight on the Keto Diet, According to Nutritionists Macro tracking isn't everyone's cup of tea since it takes dedication to calculate and stick to your allowances. But Collins was pleased with her results and plans to continue. "I'm blown away by results," she wrote in her follow-up post. "So now I'm at a point where I try to follow numbers, but it's okay if I go over because I'm happy where I'm at." To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com https://ift.tt/2um58Un December 18, 2018 at 03:20PM
10 Keto-Friendly Vegetables You Should Eat More Of
https://ift.tt/2ECCIx6 Veggies should be the foundation of any healthy eating plan, including keto! But some vegetables are keto-friendlier than others of course. To refresh your memory on the basics of the mega-popular diet, the keto diet replaces carbs with fat. Restricting carbs to a minimal amount sends your body into ketosis—a state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of carbs. In order to maintain ketosis, you can only get about 5% to 10% of your calories from carbohydrates. That comes to 25 to 50 grams of net carbs per day. (To calculate net carbs per serving of a particular food, subtract the grams of fiber from the grams of total carbohydrates.) While most vegetables are calorie-poor and nutrient-rich (packed with fiber, essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients), carby choices—like potatoes, corn, carrots, beets and squash—should be limited on the keto diet. Non-starchy veggies, however, can be enjoyed in large quantities. Here are 10 vegetables you should definitely add to your keto grocery shopping list. RELATED: Your Ultimate Keto Diet Grocery List ArugulaNet carbs: 2 grams Also known as rocket, this leafy green has a peppery flavor. A serving (four cups of fresh arugula) has just 20 calories and 2 grams of net carbs. Nutritionally, arugula is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and a good source of folic acid and calcium. AsparagusNet carbs: 2 grams A serving of asparagus (5 spears) has a paltry 20 calories and 4 grams of total carbs, or 2 grams of net carbs. The veggie is loaded with folic acid, and supplies good doses of fiber and vitamins A and C. Bell PeppersNet carbs: 4 grams There’s a reason why those living a low-carb lifestyle consider bell peppers a staple. A medium bell pepper has 25 calories, 4 grams of net carbs, and 190% of your daily vitamin C requirement. RELATED: The Keto Diet Is Super Hard—These 3 Variations Are Much Easier to Follow BroccoliNet carbs: 3 grams A serving of broccoli (3 ounces raw) has 30 calories and 3 grams net carbs. Like all cruciferous veggies, broccoli is considered a nutritional powerhouse, packing in vitamins A and C, B-vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. Broccoli also provides antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect your eyes from harmful UV damage. Brussels sproutsNet carbs: 3 grams A cousin to broccoli, Brussels sprouts boast impressive nutritionals: A serving (4 sprouts) has 40 calories, 3 grams net carbs, 2 grams protein, 3 grams fiber and more than all the vitamin C you need n a day. As a bonus, they have anti-cancer, heart health, and anti-inflammatory benefits too. CauliflowerNet carbs: 3 grams Another member of the cruciferous family, cauliflower is a versatile low-carb vegetable that can be used as a stand-in for rice, mashed potatoes, and even pizza crust and baked goods. Cauliflower has 25 calories per 3-ounce serving, 3 grams net carbs, 100% of the vitamin C you need in a day, and a good amount of folic acid. KaleNet carbs: 1 gram A serving of the Queen of greens (3 cups fresh kale) provides 20 calories and 1 gram net carbs. Like most leafy greens, kale is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, vitamin K, calcium and magnesium. The leafy green is also packed with beneficial antioxidants that may help protect against chronic diseases associated with aging. RELATED: 9 Fruits You Can Actually Eat on the Keto Diet MushroomsNet carbs: 2 grams Think white veggies aren’t nutritious? Think again! One serving (5 medium mushrooms) has 20 calories, 2 grams net carbs, and 3 grams protein. Plus, the fungi pack in B-vitamins, copper, vitamin D, and selenium. Studies show that mushrooms can bolster immunity and may have anti-cancer benefits. SpinachNet carbs: 4 grams Spinach really is a nutritional all-star. A serving of spinach (1½ cups fresh leaves) has 40 calories, 4 grams of net carbs, and 2 grams of protein. With 6 grams of fiber per serving, spinach helps you feel fuller longer, and is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron, folic acid, and magnesium. TomatoesNet carbs: 4 grams Tomatoes are a healthy addition to any eating plan because they’re a rich source of lycopene, a phytonutrient that has potent heart health and anti-cancer properties. A medium tomato has just 20 calories, 4 grams net carbs, plenty of vitamins A and C. It's also a solid source of potassium. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com https://ift.tt/2um58Un December 18, 2018 at 12:19PM
What are the health benefits of 5-HTP?
https://ift.tt/2LmxE0j L-5 hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring compound in the body. It is related to the production of serotonin, so some people think that it may aid weight loss, treat sleep problems, and help manage depression. Learn more about 5-HTP supplements in this article. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc December 18, 2018 at 07:47AM
Endometriosis and weight gain: What's the link?
https://ift.tt/2rGyrA1 Some people with endometriosis experience weight gain and bloating. In this article, we look at the possible reasons why and explain how to manage weight effectively. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc December 17, 2018 at 03:14PM How Hitting 'Rock Bottom' Inspired a Woman to Lose 114 Lbs.: 'It's Definitely Changed My World'12/17/2018
How Hitting 'Rock Bottom' Inspired a Woman to Lose 114 Lbs.: 'It's Definitely Changed My World'
https://ift.tt/2UPeUuA Tara Sol managed to lose weight and change her life in less than a year, but achieving her healthy state was a surprise to Sol herself. “I’d only ever known being overweight,” Sol tells PEOPLE. She was raised in a household where her diet was primarily convenience foods, like drive-through pickups or pre-packaged microwavable meals. In her family, their Friday tradition was to go to an all-you-can eat buffet, and food was often used as the way her family bonded. “I saw food used as comfort within my own sister and parents. We’d just sit in front of the TV and I’d eat a half a bag of chips or a box of cookies, or popcorn,” Sol tells PEOPLE. “Also, it was for sure how my dad showed love or affection. It was getting us a candy bar when we’d go through the cashier line—he would always do that sort of stuff for us. If I got a good report card, I got to choose my restaurant for dinner.” Once she became an adult, the 36-year-old mother of six began sneaking food and eating it in secret before she would dine with the rest of her family. RELATED: The Eating Disorder Many Women Don't Know They Have “I would grab a handful of cookies and eat them and then it would be time for us to have dessert and I would eat it,” Sol says. “Nobody knew I already had the four cookies.” At her heaviest, Sol weighed 261 lbs. “Walking for five minutes was a challenge,” she says. “I couldn’t even bend over to tie my own shoe. That’s how overweight I was.” Often, she was bullied for her weight, causing her to be “a very introverted and hidden person.” “I had this dream where I was just in a fat suit, and I could just unzip my suit and walk out and look at the person, and reveal myself to all of those people that would bully me and say mean things about me,” she says. “I’d say, ‘But look at who I really am.'” Although she had avoided doctors for most of her life because she “didn’t like having to get put on a scale,” in 2014, as a social worker who was employed by a hospital, she had to visit the doctor for routine blood work and they discovered her blood sugar levels were off the charts. They diagnosed her with pre-diabetes before she had her full testing done that gave her a definitive Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. RELATED: What Is Type 2 Diabetes? “I was in significant denial about my condition and though I took the medication, I did not change my diet or tell a single person about my diabetes diagnosis,” Sol says. “I even stopped going to my doctor. I was lucky that she happened to refill my prescription for a couple of years.” Sol’s doctor wrote her a letter informing her that she would stop prescribing her oral medications if she didn’t come in for an office visit. “That finally was my rock bottom.” So the next day, Sol signed up for Real Appeal, a digital weight loss program that provides you with a personal wellness coach, diet tracking, exercise programs, and online group sessions to help you meet your goals. She was initially drawn to this program because she didn’t have to go to weigh-ins in front of other people. She visited her doctor and asked her for a three-month extension on her prescription refill, and told her about her new weight loss commitment. Sol started with small, achievable goals, such as moving her body for 60 minutes each day and cardio workouts she could do in her own home. Within three months of starting the program, Sol’s labs were normal and she no longer had Type 2 Diabetes. RELATED: 4 Ways to Tell If You're at a Healthy Weight “My doctor actually called the lab to make sure it wasn’t an error,” Sol says. “My labs were just so different in just that three months.” On the first day of her lifestyle change, Sol also set a goal to walk 1,000 miles in one year—a goal she achieved in just 140 days. “I was getting little bits of hope,” Sol said. “I was getting these tangible, actual, true things that were validating what I was doing and it fueled my fire and I just also wanted to obviously keep going and getting better and better. I made this commitment to my doctor and I wanted to show her I was keeping my end of the deal.” In just ten and a half months, Sol reached her goal weight, losing 114 lbs. Today, she’s maintaining a healthy weight of 144 lbs., but she says she’s not “hyper focused on a number on the scale.” In early 2018, Sol had a skin removal surgery, and now, on top of walking, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking and interval training. She also tracks her calories in MyFitnessPal to maintain her healthy eating habits, and tries to slow down when she’s eating a plate of food. RELATED: These Are the Best Walking Workouts, According to Fitness Experts “I can’t be mindless about what I put in my mouth,” she says, but admits that she still loves food and isn’t afraid to indulge every now and then. She also says her husband and children have been supportive through the journey, and her healthy eating habits have influenced them. “I want to be a role model,” she says. “They’ve gotten an understanding of what a healthy lifestyle is by being able to watch my transformation.” She also adds that her weight loss has allowed her to be a more present mom. For Christmas, her family gives experiences instead of gifts, and she’s been able to participate in fun things like snowshoeing and laser tag, which she couldn’t do before. “They don’t lose me to the bag of chips while I’m vegging out to the Real Housewives on TV,” Sol says. “They actually get a mom that wants to be more interactive with them. I have energy.” RELATED: The Number One Thing You Need to Do to Lose Weight Forever, According to Experts Aside from her family, Sol says that since losing the weight, her life has changed “in any possible way it could change.” “That whole concept of ‘if you can’t love yourself, no one else can love you’ is so true,” she says. “[I have] better self esteem, and feel that I am worthy of love and affection and people’s attention. Because I feel so much better about myself and I’ve gotten rid of so much of that hate and shame, it’s definitely just changed my world in that I allow people to be part of my life and my journey now where I never did before.” To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com https://ift.tt/2um58Un December 17, 2018 at 01:44PM
Recalled 'weight history' can predict heart failure risk
https://ift.tt/2Scjb9X While obesity can raise heart failure risk at any age, the risk is higher in those with a lifetime history of obesity compared with only recent obesity. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc December 17, 2018 at 12:43PM
How to prevent festive weight gain without exercising
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Resisting temptation can be tough during the holidays.
During the festive season, people's waistlines tend to expand as their self-control contracts. While food and drink flow freely, restraint is in short supply, and sedentary activities abound. And, as we relax, we tend to throw caution to the wind and go back for a second helping. Festive weight gain is so commonplace that it has become a running joke; however, it has a serious side. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States, and reversing it through permanent lifestyle changes does not appear to work for the majority of people. On average, people gain 0.4–1 kilogram (0.9–2.2 pounds) each year, and up to 50 percent of this occurs over holiday periods, such as Christmas. A new approach to obesity?Research has shown that when we gain weight during the holidays, we rarely manage to lose it once the tinsel has gone from the tree. As the years go by, this type of seasonal weight gain adds up. The authors of a recent study believe that targeting this time of year might offer an innovative way to reduce the impact of obesity. By focusing attention on times when weight gain is most significant, it might be possible to slow annual weight gain, overall. The results from the so-called Winter Weight Watch Study were published earlier this month in the BMJ. Scientists from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Applied Health Research and the School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom carried out the trial. Specifically, they wanted to understand whether a relatively brief and straightforward intervention could reduce weight gain over Christmas. To find out, they recruited participants just before Christmas 2016 and 2017. In total, they involved 272 people; 78 percent were female, and 78 percent were white. Researchers took the first weight measurements in November and then followed up in January. The interventionThe researchers divided the participants between an intervention group and a control group. Members of the intervention group were asked to record their weight at least twice a week, although preferably more often. The authors explain why regular weigh-ins are essential:
The researchers encouraged the participants in the intervention group to think about their weight and how it was changing over time. As the authors explain, the intervention "aimed to promote restraint of energy consumption." Also, the participants were given tips about managing weight and provided with a list of festive foods along with information on how much physical activity they would need to do to burn off the calories of each food they had consumed. For example, it would take 21 minutes of running to burn off the calories found in one mince pie. The control group, on the other hand, only received a leaflet about healthy living. Did it work?After adjusting the data for confounding variables, the researchers found that the individuals in the intervention group had gained less weight than those in the control group — an average of 0.49 kilograms (1.1 pounds) less. Those in the intervention group also showed more restraint, managing to limit their calorie intake more than those in the control group. Although the difference in weight gain was smaller than the researchers had hoped, they are still excited by the results. Because the holiday season is a yearly event, even if people only prevent a small amount of weight gain each year, it could add up to a considerable amount over a lifetime. The authors note some shortfalls to their study. For instance, it involved a relatively small group of people, and the follow-up duration was quite brief. However, the results merit follow-up. Lifestyle change is challenging, but shorter bursts of focus on weight management may be more achievable for some people. The authors believe that their findings "should be considered by health policymakers to prevent weight gain in the population during high-risk periods such as holidays." Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc December 17, 2018 at 06:42AM |
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