High percentage of children having surgery are overweight or obese
Filed under: Diet, Research, Obesity, Nutrition
Researchers from the University of Michigan Health System just released a report in the new issue of the National Medical Association, stating that a very high proportion of children having surgery are overweight or obese.
Examining a database of over 6,000 pediatric surgeries at the University of Michigan Hospital from 2000 to 2004, the researchers found that almost 32 percent of the patients were overweight or obese (with more than half of that 32 percent being obese). One of the major concerns, aside from the clear relationship to a nationwide rise in overweight and obese children, is that these children -- just like overweight and obese adults who undergo surgery -- are more likely to develop infections in their wounds.
The research also suggests that overweight and obese children have a greater likelihood of requiring particular types of surgery. Most frequently, overweight or obese children had to have their tonsils and adenoids removed. Additionally, overweight and obese children were more apt to require surgeries related to breathing problems and sleep apnea; orthopedic surgeries to mend broken bones; and procedures for dealing with gastrointestinal problems.
As stated, the marked increase in the number of overweight and obese children is not limited to Michigan alone, but applies to the entire nation. Over the past two decades, overweight and obesity in children has nearly tripled, just as it has concurrently risen in adults. This surgery related discovery is one of many associated health problems.
Fat Land Makes A Shocking Read
I’m just finished reading ‘Fat Land’ by Greg Critser which chronicles how Americans have become the fattest people in the world. He pulls no punches explaining how it is that more than 25% of teenagers are now overweight or obese.
The books charts the changes to food consumption. From the introduction of extremely unhealthy fats such as palm oil to supersize portions being regarded as normal. It looks at the introduction of commercialism to schools from such things as vending machines and food carts Scools were no longer responsible for the pupil’s nutrition. Physical fitness of children was downgraded in priority at both local and national level.
At times I was quite appalled even angry by the way government and business manipulated, even misled the population. It’s certainly made me look very closely at food labels.
I would encourage you to read this book, particularly if you have a family. I think it will inspire you to take care of yourself and those around you.
Isobel Whytock 1Stop-Weightloss.com
Protein in the Brain Regulates Obesity
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Research
Scientists have found that mice lacking a protein known as SH2B1 throughout their body are obese and ultimately develop diabetes. Researchers replaced SH2B1 in the brain of obese mice and it seemed to deter the onset of obesity. The study reveals that targeting SH2B1 in the brain might be a new avenue of treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
SH2B1 is expressed in tissues related to obesity, including the brain, liver, pancreas, and fat tissue. Replacing SH2B1 in the brain of mice lacking SH2B1 prevented the mice from becoming obese. It also prevented the mice from developing obesity after being fed a high-fat diet, indicating that SH2B1 in the brain is required to regulate body weight and fat content.
This study implies that SH2B1 in the brain is a practical target for the development of new drugs to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Obesity epidemic: Some scary statistics
Filed under: Obesity
We're constantly going on about this obesity epidemic we're in the midst of, and you might be thinking along the lines of 'What's the big deal?' but it is a big deal and according to WebMD it's only getting worse -- exponentially worse.By 2015, it's predicted that 75% of people will be overweight or obese. That might seem like years away, but it's only 8 years from now -- not even a decade. African Americans are expected to be most affected by obesity and Asians will be the least affected. Obesity has more than doubled since the 1970s -- how high does it have to get before we realize that this is a crisis? Will the rate of obese and overweight people ever stop climbing?
So if, in 8 years, you're a healthy weight, you'll be part of a slim minority. Please be part of that minority.
Why parents will live longer than their kids
Filed under: Obesity
With the advent of new technology and medical advances, the life expectancy of humans has been inching upwards for thousands of years. Dying at 40 went out with the middle ages -- we're healthier than ever before. Wait, scratch that. We're not healthier than ever before. And life expectancy? It might start going backwards. No, it's not because the plague has come back. We're going backwards healthwise and it's all our own fault. It's because we're obese.
A report shows that, in Canada at least, kids won't live as long as their parents did, and this is because one quarter of the children aged 2 to 17 are obese or overweight. That's one in 4 kids. That's a frightening statistic. Heart problems, diabetes, cancer -- each of these kids is at a much greater risk of developing these problems. So how is it that as we get smarter, we go backwards at the same time? Who's to blame?
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
Go for Scientific Weight Loss By Karen Peralta Considering the US Center for Disease Control?s advice is a very good idea. Fat, although systematically proven useful to the human body, is not only a waste of food. When you?re fat, if very fat, you?re obese, and you do indeed have a disease. It can sneak right [...]
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
Go for Scientific Weight Loss By Karen Peralta Considering the US Center for Disease Controlâ??s advice is a very good idea. Fat, although systematically proven useful to the human body, is not only a waste of food. When youâ??re fat, if very fat, youâ??re obese, and you do indeed have a disease. It can sneak right up [...]
Zinc Does Not Prevent Diabetes
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Research, Products
Despite claims by zinc supplement manufacturers that the pills can help prevent type 2 diabetes, clinical trials do not support this hypothesis.
Laboratory research suggests that zinc helps promote the production and action of insulin. A four-week study of 56 obese women found that zinc did not have an effect on factors associated with the development of diabetes. This study was an example of one trial that treated 56 people with either zinc or a placebo for four weeks and found no effect. This single trial is too small and too short to tell us anything about the effectiveness of zinc in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.
Research does support that zinc plays a key role in the regulation of insulin production and glucose utilization. Diabetics have shown a zinc deficiency, which impairs their ability to use glucose. However this fact does not confirm zinc as a supplement to prevent the development of diabetes. I apologize it's a nonevent insofar as news. But look at it this way - it's one trial. Nobody says you have to cross it off your list because 56 obese women didn't see a change in their risk factors for developing diabetes. One study is not gospel.
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
By Karen Peralta
Considering the US Center for Disease Controlâ??s advice is a very good idea. Fat, although systematically proven useful to the human body, is not only a waste of food. When youâ??re fat, if very fat, youâ??re obese, and you do indeed have a disease. It can sneak right up [...]
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
Go for Scientific Weight Loss
By Karen Peralta
Considering the US Center for Disease Controlâ??s advice is a very good idea. Fat, although systematically proven useful to the human body, is not only a waste of food. When youâ??re fat, if very fat, youâ??re obese, and you do indeed have a disease. It can sneak right up [...]