Adiposity and Reporting of Vasomotor Symptoms among Midlife Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
February 7, 2008
It has long been hypothesized that increased adiposity would be associated with decreased vasomotor symptoms during menopause because of conversion of androgens to estrogens in body fat. However, recent thermoregulatory models have postulated that increased adipose tissue would be associated with a greater likelihood of vasomotor symptoms. The authors evaluated these hypotheses in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, a multiethnic, community-based observational study of US women transitioning through menopause. The sample included 1,776 women aged 47-59 years with an intact uterus and at least one ovary who completed bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessment of body composition at the sixth annual study visit (2002-2004). Assessments also included reported vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin-adjusted estradiol (free estradiol index). Results indicated that a higher percentage of body fat was associated with increased odds of reporting vasomotor symptoms (per standard deviation increase in percent body fat, odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 1.42) in age- and site-adjusted models. Associations persisted in fully adjusted models and were not reduced when models included reproductive hormones. These findings support a thermoregulatory model of vasomotor symptoms.
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Depression, Obesity Coexist in Many Middle-Aged Women – Yahoo! News
February 7, 2008
Depression, Obesity Coexist in Many Middle-Aged Women – Yahoo! News:
Mon Jan 14, 11:47 PM ET
MONDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) — Obesity and depression often go hand-in-hand in middle-aged women, a new U.S. study found.
The research collected information on the height, weight, dietary and exercise habits, and body image of 4,641 women, ages 40 to 65, enrolled in a health plan. The women also completed a questionnaire used to measure depression symptoms.
Women with clinical depression were more than twice as likely to be obese (a body mass index of 30 or more), and obese women were more than twice as likely to be depressed, the study found.
It also found that women with BMIs of 30 or higher exercised the least, had the poorest body image, and consumed 20 percent more calories than women with ”
(Via Depression, Obesity Coexist in Many Middle-Aged Women – Yahoo! News.)
Obesity surgery seen as diabetes cure
February 7, 2008
Obesity surgery seen as diabetes cure
(AP): “AP – A new study gives the strongest evidence yet that obesity surgery can cure diabetes. Patients who had surgery to reduce the size of their stomachs were five times more likely to see their diabetes disappear over the next two years than were patients who had standard diabetes care, according to Australian researchers.”
(Via Obesity surgery seen as diabetes cure
(AP).)
Nuts and berries fight metabolic syndrome
January 21, 2008
Nuts and berries fight metabolic syndrome: “(NewsTarget) A number of recent studies have indicated that nuts and berries provide great advantages in averting metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms linked to heightened risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Preliminary results from a Spanish study involving 9,000 people suggest that a Mediterranean diet leads to improved levels of cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure, all linked to metabolic syndrome. In particular, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 15 grams of walnuts, 7.5 grams of hazelnuts and 7.5 grams of almonds per day appeared to provide a long-term 50 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, more than the Mediterranean diet high in olive oil or the low fat diet. The research was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In another study, researchers found that people who supplemented their everyday diet with 2-3 ounces of pistachios per day for four weeks showed significantly improved cholesterol ratios, perhaps due to their increased intake of fiber and lower intake of saturated fat. This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
‘This research challenges the previously held belief that a low-fat diet is best for heart health. Studies now show that a diet with a moderate amount of healthful monounsaturated fat, like the kind found in pistachios, is a more effective way to prevent heart disease than reducing overall fat intake,’ said lead researcher James Cooper.
In a long-term study of 34,000 post-menopausal women published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods such as berries was correlated with lowered incidence of cardiovascular disease over the course of 16 years.
An estimated 50 million people suffer from metabolic syndrome in the United States, placing them at a doubled risk of cardiovascular disease and five times the risk of diabetes compared with those who do not have the syndrome.”
(Via Nuts and berries fight metabolic syndrome.)
Weight gain after menopause: Reverse the middle age spread – MayoClinic.com
January 18, 2008
Weight gain after menopause: Reverse the middle age spread – MayoClinic.com: “”
Doctor’s Comment: Its true that its not just your hormonal changes. But even the big clinics like the Mayo, accuse you of eating too much, while ignoring you declining basal metabolic rate. Ok, that does it, I’m going to work on the BMR calculator!
(Via .)
Waist to hip ratio is better as a predictor of heart attack than body mass index (BMI): Does that mean we should abandon the BMI?
January 17, 2008
Waist to hip ratio is better as a predictor of heart attack than body mass index (BMI): Does that mean we should abandon the BMI?:
Remember, if your BMI is elevated (above 25), you should (really, you must) check your blood pressure, blood glucose (sugar), and cholesterol level. If you are overweight, keeping them in the normal range (especially the blood pressure) is, health wise, very important.
Doctor’s Comment:
No! We should not give up on BMI.
People who have a high basal metabolic index ( BMI ) do have increased risk for all sorts of diseases ( if you don’t now yours go to out BMI Calculator ). You can have a high BMI with out having an unhealthy waist to hip ratio. This is because people carry weight in different patterns. If you carry your weight in your upper body and you have a high BMI, then you will probably have an unhealthy waist to hip ratio
More on how much exercise is needed to predictably achieve health benefits
December 28, 2007
More on how much exercise is needed to predictably achieve health benefits: “”
(Via .)
Study Shows Connection Between Obesity and Anxiety, Depression, and Lower Well-being in Women but not Men
December 14, 2007
Association of obesity with anxiety, depression an…[Aust N Z J Public Health. 2003] – PubMed Result: “”
How Does Your Awareness of Your Physical Activity Affect Your Weight?
November 28, 2007
“A cross-sectional study of awareness of physical activity:
associations with personal, behavioral and psychosocial factors”
By: Esther MF van Sluijs, Simon J Griffin, and Mireille NM van Poppel
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2007
4:53doi:10.1186/1479-5868-4-53
Published: 8 November 2007
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Interventions to promote physical activity frequently target hypothesized mediators of change, but these might be affected by a person’s awareness of their own physical activity behavior. The paper aims to characterize a high-risk population by levels of awareness and to study associations between awareness and selected personal, behavioral and psychosocial factors.
Methods
Data were collected on physical activity behavior, physical activity awareness, behavioral and psychosocial factors and anthropometry cross-sectionally at 6-month follow-up in a physical activity promotion trial. Awareness was assessed by comparing dichotomous self-rated physical activity with achieving activity levels according to international guidelines. Four groups were distinguished: ‘Realistic Active’, ‘Realistic Inactive’, ‘Overestimator’, and ‘Underestimator’. Data were analyzed with ANCOVA, correcting for previous interventions and current physical activity level.
Results
Of 632 participants (mean age: 56.3 years), 321 were inactive, 61.4% of whom rated themselves as active (‘Overestimators’). Compared to ‘Realistic Inactives’, ‘Overestimators’ were older, less likely to be smokers or to intend to increase their physical activity level, and had a lower body mass index. Furthermore, ‘Overestimators’ had similar scores to the ‘Realistic Actives’ on the psychological factors, but differed significantly from the ‘Realistic Inactives’.
Conclusions
People who overestimate their physical activity level appear to be healthier than people who aware of their low activity level. Overestimators also scored more positively on various psychosocial factors and were also less likely to intend to change their physical activity behavior, making awareness a potential barrier in physical activity promotion. Physical activity promotion strategies might include interventions with a focus on increasing awareness in this hard to reach population.”
This study is gratefully syndicated through OpenAccess
Researchers Compare Low Carb and Low Fat Diets for Weight Maintenance
November 19, 2007
Comparison of a low carbohydrate and low fat diet for weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults enrolled in a clinical weight management program
By:
James D. LeCheminant, Cheryl A. Gibson, Debra K. Sullivan, Sandra Hall, Rik Washburn, Mary C. Vernon, Chelsea Curry, Elizabeth Stewart, Eric C. Westman and Joseph E. Donnelly email
Nutrition Journal 2007, 6:36doi:10.1186/1475-2891-6-36
Published: 1 November 2007
Background
Recent evidence suggests that a low carbohydrate (LC) diet may be equally or more effective for short-term weight loss than a traditional low fat (LF) diet; however, less is known about how they compare for weight maintenance. The purpose of this study was to compare body weight (BW) for participants in a clinical weight management program, consuming a LC or LF weight maintenance diet for 6 months following weight loss.
Methods
Fifty-five (29 low carbohydrate diet; 26 low fat diet) overweight/obese middle-aged adults completed a 9 month weight management program that included instruction for behavior, physical activity (PA), and nutrition. For 3 months all participants consumed an identical liquid diet (2177 kJ/day) followed by 1 month of re-feeding with solid foods either low in carbohydrate or low in fat. For the remaining 5 months, participants were prescribed a meal plan low in dietary carbohydrate (~20%) or fat (~30%). BW and carbohydrate or fat grams were collected at each group meeting. Energy and macronutrient intake were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months.
Results
The LC group increased BW from 89.2 +/- 14.4 kg at 3 months to 89.3 +/- 16.1 kg at 9 months (P=0.84). The LF group decreased BW from 86.3 +/- 12.0 kg at 3 months to 86.0 +/- 14.0 kg at 9 months (P=0.96). BW was not different between groups during weight maintenance (P=0.87). Fifty-five percent (16/29) and 50% (13/26) of participants for the LC and LF groups, respectively, continued to decrease their body weight during weight maintenance.
Conclusion
Following a 3 month liquid diet, the LC and LF diet groups were equally effective for BW maintenance over 6 months; however, there was significant variation in weight change within each group.
This study is gratefully syndicated through OpenAccess
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