Archive for September, 2006
Not that we need research to tell us this, but there’s still research results that show Americans do not consume anywhere near the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association says just 40% of the population meets this standard, and among some groups it is much lower (teenage boys get less than 1% of the recommended amounts).
It sounds like a ton of food to think of 5 cups of fruits and veggies (the goal ranges from 2 to 6 cups depending on the person), but when you break that down into servings and actually look at the amounts, it’s really doable. Most people think a serving is a cup, for example, but it can be as little as what fits comfortably in your cupped hand.
The H3I email newsletter this month promotes the National 5 a Day Month–take a look at that article–you can sign up for the online HealthBeat newsletter if you need to (it’s helpful, useful, harmless).
September 13th, 2006
A couple research tidbits out recently suggest that diet and exercise can have very immediate impacts on the body’s cholesterol composition, and the ability of these lipids to act.
In the first research, authors report in the J. of the American College of Cardiology that eating foods high in saturated fats (butter fat, for example) can impair the ability of the “good” HDL cholesterol to act. That means, the HDL will be less effective in preventing the vascular damage caused by the “bad” cholesterol.
In a different but related small study, as reported in MSN online, authors report that exercise following ingestion of fatty foods can reverse the potential damage from the fats. They argue that this doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise–even a nice long walk will help.
Both of these studies rely on very small samples, and we need to see more research to see how it will pan out. However, they are both consistent with the philosophy and practice of the H3I weight loss spa. That is, both diet and exercise must be addressed in a consistent fashion to gain the greatest benefits of weight loss and health. It’s that pesky healthy lifestyle, again.
-Roger Sargent
September 11th, 2006
Maybe we’re splitting hairs here, but the research is interesting. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers find strong (but of course not absolutely conclusive) evidence that virgin olive oil that has not be processed has a greater impact on reducing heart disease risks than any other oil. The speculation is that this unprocessed virgin oil is more effective because it is high in polyphenols which are antioxidants.
September 7th, 2006
A new report entitled, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing America 2006, was released by the Trust for America’s Health. It states that obesity rates continue to climb, up in 31 states during the past year. Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and more than tripled among children n the last 20 years.
Nine of the 10 states with highest obesity rates are in the south. Not surprisingly 9 of the 10 states with highest rates of diabetes and high blood pressure are in the south as well.
It is obviously important for individuals to take responsibility for their behaviors, and consume a healthier caloric controlled diet and be more physically active. But to facilitate these behavioral changes the report made several recommendations including: improved nutritional content on foods and beverages served and sold in schools; improved physical environment with more sidewalks, parks and bike paths; community driven efforts to increase access to healthier foods in low income areas; better physical fitness curricula in schools; employee sponsored programs to increase physical activity; and better insurance coverage for preventive services.
-Bob Wright
September 5th, 2006
The United States is #1 in obesity rates world wide. We have 23% of the world’s obese (a BMI of 30 or greater) population, versus just 4.6 % of the worlds total population (source: Tufts University Diet and Nutrition Letter August 2006).
-Bob Wright
September 4th, 2006
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