Livestrong

The Lance Armstrong Foundation recently launched its www.livestrong.com web site. The foundation works to help cancer survivors live on their own terms, while the site aims to provide a wide spectrum of health and wellness resources for a variety of populations. From anxiety to low blood sugar, the site has an incredible array of resources for healthy living. Check it out, and let us know what you think.

Getting Teens Fit

The Indianapolis Star offers four simple tips for helping overweight teens. Suggestions include:

·          Find a fun activity;

·          Make—and stick to—a time commitment, whether it’s 20 minutes per day or half an hour;

·          Add variety to the routine to keep it interesting;

·          Have your teen exercise in their target hear rate.

Read the whole article here: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/LIVING01/806170311/1083/LIVING01.

Stressing Out Over Obesity

A certain level of stress is normal and even healthy in dealing with new situations and important events. Extreme levels of stress, however, can lead to a multitude of health problems, including weight gain and binge eating. For some great suggestions on coping with the stress in your life, read this recent Red Orbit article: http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1424530/family_health__take_charge_studies_link_excessive_stress_to/.

Kids' Cholesterol

A recent Fox News article profiles the Dean family, in which the mother suffered a heart attack at the young age of 35. Following her recovery, she had her daughters’ cholesterol levels examined, only to find those levels abnormally high. Such health issues—like high blood pressure and diabetes—are often associated with poor overall wellness and childhood obesity, and can follow kids into adulthood. The article shares a number of common sense suggestions for increasing your child’s health. Check the whole thing out at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368146,00.html.

In Your Genes

A fascinating article in Scientific American indicates that we all may have an ability to “turn on” healthy genes by making healthy choices. The study, conducted by University of California San Francisco scientists, found that eating right, reducing stress and exercising can switch on genes that keep malignancies and other maladies at bay. Read the entire article at http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=can-lifestyle-changes-bring-out-the-best-in-genes.

Anxiety and Obesity

A recent study presented by the AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine suggests that managing anxiety disorder may play a key role in fighting childhood obesity. While more research needs to be done, these findings demonstrate once again that obesity has as much to do with the mind as it does the body. That’s why DKWIO continues to treat so much more than just the outward symptoms of childhood obesity.

Targeting Toddlers

The Wall Street Journal recently had a sobering look at the increasing efforts to stop childhood obesity in kids as young as two or three. The programs highlighted had strong family, physical activity and food-education components. While no empirical data exists on the value of such programs, the approach seems sound. Decide for yourself by reading the whole thing here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121305610263459281.html The article also features some great tips for improving family eating habits:

·          Offer young kids healthy food options;

·          Ask kids to try new foods at multiple sittings;

·          Model healthy eating habits;

·          Increase physical activity, and reduce screen time;

·          Remain firm on the changes in family routine.

Obesity and Infertility

I recently stumbled on a WebMD article that identifies a clear link between obesity and infertility. Obesity has a host of other devastating long-term health effects like diabetes, heart disease and even cancer, but this research suggests that couples who have trouble conceiving may want to look to the choices they make about diet, exercise and wellness. See the whole article here: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20071211/obesity-linked-to-infertility-in-women.

Heat Wave

With summer rapidly approaching in the northern hemisphere, it’s important to remember to maintain a healthy body temperature when exercising in the heat. While the body has natural mechanisms to deal with the two to three degree increase in body temperature generated by exercise under normal conditions, extreme weather can offset these mechanisms, especially for kids. ACE-certified trainer Kristin DeLeo offers some great suggestions for combating extreme heat in a recent column:

·          Begin exercising slowly;

·          Kids sweat less than adults and should be monitored very closely in high heat;

·          Drink lots of water;

·          Wear light-colored, cotton clothing;

·          Make note of both the heat index and the air quality;

·          Make water play part of your exercise routine.

Vitamin D and Tea

A recent Harvard University study showed that men with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer heart attacks. To maintain a healthy level of vitamin D, take a multivitamin, drink fortified milk or eat salmon. Simultaneously, the British Nutrition Foundation tells us that drinking tea can improve hydration, increase alertness and strengthen bones. Sounds like the makings of a great dinner.