Birmingham Researchers Granted Almost £140,000 To Investigate Obesity In Children, UK

Researchers in Birmingham have just been awarded a grant of almost £140,000 by Action Medical Research - the leading UK-wide medical research charity dedicated to helping babies and children.

The charity has been supporting significant medical breakthroughs for nearly 60 years, and today announced its latest round of funding to top research institutes at universities and hospitals investigating conditions affecting babies and children.

In this latest round of funding, the charity has given £138,762 to the Diabetes Centre, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and Birmingham University, for a project looking at links between obesity in children and sleep patterns.

Obesity has become a major public health problem. The condition is now affecting children and we know that this will have serious consequences for their health and wellbeing.

An estimated 17 per cent of boys and 15 per cent of girls in the UK aged between two and 15 are classified as being obese. Around 30 per cent of children are either overweight or obese in the UK and many of these cases will continue into adulthood.

Obesity is associated with other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, breathing disorders, some cancers, infertility, arthritis, depression and can seriously affect an individual's physical and mental wellbeing. There is a major need to understand factors that contribute to obesity so that this serious condition can be prevented and treated effectively.

Action Medical Research funds a total of approximately £3 million worth of research grants every year, with grant rounds in July and November, as well as awarding Research Training Fellowships in February.

None of our work would be possible without the generosity of people who make donations, raise funds and take part in events, as well as our trust and corporate partners. Action Medical Research receives no income from the government or any other statutory source.

Alexandra Dedman, Senior Research Evaluation Manager: said: "At Action Medical Research we are determined to stop the suffering of babies and children caused by disease and disability. We know that medical research can save and change children's lives. The charity finds and funds some of the best medical research in the world for the benefit of babies, children and young people.

 

 

How much protein do you need?

--You Need A Lot Of Protein to Build Muscle.

The fitness industry will have you believe that if you want to build muscle you need a lot of protein. While it is true that you should take in more protein if you are exercising to build muscle, you will not need to take in gross amounts of protein to put on muscle. This is a big industry whopper that has been created to entice you to buy a lot of protein shakes and supplements!

On the other hand, the medical industry and RDA would have you believe that only need .08 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (.36 grams per lb. of body weight) to build muscle but this doesn't add up at all.

Without making you go crazy with formulas, let's just take a look at some basic requirements.

Example: Let's say the *Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) for a 200 lb, 38 year old male, is approximately 1941 calories.

Some Facts:

1 Carbohydrate Gram = 4 calories

1 Protein Gram = 4 calories

1 Fat Gram = 9 calories.

If the RDA claims you should have 35% of your calories coming from Protein, how much protein would that be?...

BIG INDUSTRY WHOPPER!

--You Need A Lot Of Protein to Build Muscle.

The fitness industry will have you believe that if you want to build muscle you need a lot of protein. While it is true that you should take in more protein if you are exercising to build muscle, you will not need to take in gross amounts of protein to put on muscle. This is a big industry whopper that has been created to entice you to buy a lot of protein shakes and supplements!

On the other hand, the medical industry and RDA would have you believe that only need .08 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (.36 grams per lb. of body weight) to build muscle but this doesn't add up at all.

Without making you go crazy with formulas, let's just take a look at some basic requirements.

Example: Let's say the *Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) for a 200 lb, 38 year old male, is approximately 1941 calories.

Some Facts:

1 Carbohydrate Gram = 4 calories

1 Protein Gram = 4 calories

1 Fat Gram = 9 calories.

If the RDA claims you should have 35% of your calories coming from Protein, how much protein would that be? (should be around 40-50% according to most research studies)

1941 BMR x .35 = 679 Calories from protein

679 calories divided by 4 protein calories = 169.75 grams

169.75 divided by 200lbs = 0.85 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight.

This is how much protein your body needs just to sustain life in a resting body ( Your BMR). As you increase your activity level, your caloric needs increase too so you will need to increase your protein. It is important to note, however, you will also need to increase your carbs and fats too.

According to most research, once you pass 1.0 grams of protein per pound of body weight or 1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight, there is no credible research to support any higher protein synthesis within the muscles.

Finally, muscle growth is not dictated by the level of protein you ingest; rather it is the balance of intense training, cardio and nutrition that ultimately determines how much protein you should consume

Definition* Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The minimal Caloric Requirement to sustain life in a resting individual. This would be the amount of calories your body would be required to burn if you slept all day for 24 hours.

Using H.I.T Cardio To Drop Stubborn Body Fat

The Proper Way To Use H.I.T. Training (HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING) - Guidelines For Beginners
By: Randall Gartman

If you are trying to burn stubborn body fat and you have been exercising for awhile, H.I.T Training may be the ticket. Though H.I.T. Training is not always suited for beginners, H.I.T is not just for the strong willed athlete either. In fact, many people that only have a couple of months of exercise under their belts appear to like H.I.T Training and cardio much better.

Here is a basic rule of thumb that you should adhere to before beginning any H.I.T. Style Cardio.

1. Determine your overall health condition. Being overweight...

The Proper Way To Use H.I.T. Training (HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING) - Guidelines For Beginners
By: Randall Gartman

If you are trying to burn stubborn body fat and you have been exercising for awhile, H.I.T Training may be the ticket. Though H.I.T. Training is not always suited for beginners, H.I.T is not just for the strong willed athlete either. In fact, many people that only have a couple of months of exercise under their belts appear to like H.I.T Training and cardio much better.

Here is a basic rule of thumb that you should adhere to before beginning any H.I.T. Style Cardio.

1. Determine your overall health condition. Being overweight doesn't necessarily mean you are in bad health so you will need to use some good judgment and of course consult with your physician if you have any concerns. If you are overweight and you don't have any health complications such as uncontrolled High Blood Pressure, uncontrolled blood sugar, metabolic syndrome or heart condition, you are still a candidate for H.I.T. in most cases.

2. Make sure you have a month or two of exercise under your belt before you just jump into H.I.T. Cardio. You don't have to been in great shape to do H.I.T. Style training but your body needs to be acclimated to exercise. Your age and health condition will dictate when you can start in most cases.

3. Properly warm up and stretch for at least 5-7 minutes before beginning H.I.T.

4. Choose Your Style of H.I.T. and mix it up from time to time.

Here are some choices::

Sprinting (outside or treadmill), Bicycling, Elliptical, Stair Step, Heavy Bag, Jump Rope - or any exercise that you can go ''"ALL-OUT"" for 15-30 seconds.

My personal favorites are - Heavy Bag - Elliptical and Jump Rope but you can choose whatever you like. If you have some joint problems, the ELIPTICAL is perfect for most people because there is virtually no impact on your knees, hips or feet.

Okay, here are the keys to H.I.T. -- Go as hard as you can for 15-30 seconds and rest for 1-3 minutes and don't exercise like this for longer than 20 minutes.

If you remember from a previous newsletter, "Chasing The Zone", I showed you how to target your "Target Heart Rate Range (THR)" (USE THIS LINK if you forgot). I told you to find out what your "Maximum Heart Range (MHR)" was and exercise for 30 minutes at 60-80% of that rate.

With H.I.T. cardio, you just go "all-out" for 15-30 seconds and you don't perform the exercise again until you have almost recovered. Let your heart rate slow down to at least 45-50% of your Maximum Heart Rate.

Example: 185 MHR x .45-.50 = 53-93 Beats Per Minute (BPM) - If you have an elevated pulse rate, you may need to let your heart slow down to slightly above your resting pulse rate.

I hope you enjoyed this TipTow For Health eZine.

Remember; you are measured by the foot; with each step you take you are one foot closer to success.

Randall Gartman
Certified Fitness Specialist and
Lifestyle and Wellness Coach
randall@randallgartman.com

P.S. By the way, all the calculations above are automatically figured for you when you use the eMpowering Physical Mastery System. NO GUESSWORK OR COMPLICATED FORMULAS TO FIGURE OUT.

Please visit these other sites:
www.randallgartman.com
www.stopbeingoverweight.com
www.telcoachu.com

Are Our Kids Oversnacked?

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
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Kids aren't the only ones who smile when the words "snack time" are heard. We are obsessed with snacking. Aisle after aisle in the grocery store is filled with sweet, salty, savory and, yes, even healthy snacks. Do we live in an oversnacked society? Is this fixation adding to the dangerous level of childhood obesity and playing a role in the growing number of poorly nourished kids in our country?

"Despite the increase in weight of our children, there are still critical nutrient gaps," said Gina Bucciferro, registered dietician and pediatric nutrition expert at Loyola University Medical Center. "Snacks can either make or break the nutritional quality of a kid's daily intake."

Research has shown that 88 percent of U.S. children do not meet the recommended daily intake for fruit and 92 percent do not meet the same for vegetables. Though obesity is a major concern for kids with poor nutrition, there are other health risks as well. These include heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, tooth decay, anemia, osteoporosis and diabetes.

According to Bucciferro, snacks are a great way to bridge the nutritional gap. Parents need to be aware of what is being served and when it takes place to help keep snack time a good time.

When to snack:

1. After physical activity. In addition to needing high-quality energy for growth and development, children involved in sports and other physical activities need to replace the extra energy they are burning. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy can provide the carbohydrates needed to replenish little athletes without added sugar and fat. Fluids also are important in making sure active kids stay hydrated. According to the American Dietetic Association, school-age children need to drink six 8 ounce cups of water per day and another 8 ounces for every half-hour of strenuous activity. A sports drink is only necessary for activities lasting longer than 60 minutes.

2. Scheduled between meal times. Children do have increased nutrition needs, so providing snacks between meals can help them stay focused and healthy. The goal should be to offer as much nutrition as possible without providing excessive sugar, fat and calories. Fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy are an easy way to meet this goal. These types of foods, eaten two to three hours before a meal will not spoil an appetite, whereas high-fat foods might.

When not to snack:

1. As a reward. Our relationship with food is formed at a very young age. When food is provided as a reward an unhealthy relationship with food can be formed. Rewarding children with playtime or fun, educational activities can form much better habits than indulging in high-fat, high-sugar fare. Also, providing these types of foods after an accomplishment can lead the child to place a higher value on low-nutrition food items. Also, don't treat these foods as forbidden. Encourage everything in moderation.

2. To cure boredom. Starting a habit of eating when bored can become a slippery slope. If you notice your child requesting snacks at off-times, make sure to assess the situation. If your child's normal meal times have been thrown off due to a hectic schedule or if they've had increased activity, provide them with a small, low-calorie snack such as fruit and low-fat yogurt or veggies and light ranch dip. However, if it's been a typical day and you notice your child is just antsy, provide a fun activity instead. Depending on your child's age coloring and other activity books can be a good option for minimal supervision while not encouraging increased television time.

"Snack time can be beneficial for kids. Just make sure kids are snacking at the right time and that snack items are closing the nutrient gaps, not worsening a child's nutrient deficit which be detrimental to a child's health," said Bucciferro.

Source:
Loyola University Health System

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Women With PCOS Benefit From Acupuncture And Exercise

PCOS is a common disorder that affects up to 10% of all women of child-bearing age. Women with PCOS frequently have irregular ovulation and menstruation, with many small immature egg follicles in the ovaries. This causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone which, in turn, leads to troublesome hair growth and acne. Obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease are also widespread among these patients.

In the current study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, a group of women with PCOS were given acupuncture where the needles were stimulated both manually and with a weak electric current at a DELETE"VERY" low frequency that was, to some extent, similar to muscular work. A second group was instructed to exercise at least three times a week, while a third group acted as controls. All were given information on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

"The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation," says docent associate professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who is responsible for the study. "Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective."

Although PCOS is a common disorder, researchers do not know exactly what causes it. "However, we've recently demonstrated that women with PCOS have a highly active sympathetic nervous system, the part that isn't controlled by our will, and that both acupuncture and regular exercise reduced levels of activity in this system compared with the control group, which could be an explanation for the results."

Source:
Elisabet Stener-Victorin
University of Gothenburg

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'Yo-yo' Effect Of Slimming Diets Explained

If you want to lose the kilos you've put on over Christmas, you may be interested in knowing that the hormones related to appetite play an important role in your likelihood of regaining weight after dieting. A new study confirms that people with the highest levels of leptin and lowest levels of ghrelin are more likely to put the centimetres they lost back on again.

Doctors often have to deal with patients who, after sticking to a slimming diet, have regained the kilos lost in just a short time or weigh even more than they did before they started the diet. This is called the 'yo-yo' effect, and it is noted in some people who follow such weight-loss programmes.

"There are patients who are susceptible to and others who are resistant to the benefits of a diet", Ana Belén Crujeiras, lead author of the study and a doctor at the University Hospital Complex of Santiago (CHUS), tells SINC. "It seems that the way each patient responds to treatment is predetermined by their own characteristics".

The researchers analysed the role of the plasma levels of hormones such as ghrelin, leptin and insulin on weight recovery in 104 overweight people following a hypocaloric diet. After eight weeks, the group that had regained more than 10% of the weight lost was found to have higher levels of leptin and lower levels of ghrelin. No differences were observed in their insulin levels.

The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, also show that ghrelin has a specific impact on men and leptin on women.

"Some obese or overweight patients who gain more weight following a diet could even be identified before they embark on their weight-loss therapy, just by looking at their plasma levels of these hormones", Crujeiras stresses.

A very useful dietary weapon

According to the authors, this study opens the door to more exhaustive studies on appetite-related hormones as tools for developing individually-tailored weight-loss programmes that would guarantee success for obese and overweight patients in keeping the weight lost off.

"Endocrinologists and nutritionists should design a special programme for patients with the highest plasma levels of leptin and the lowest ghrelin levels before they start on a hypocaloric diet, knowing that these patients are the most likely to regain the weight they have lost over the short term", concludes the expert.

Sources: Plataforma SINC, AlphaGalileo Foundation.

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Give Your Child A Good Start In Life By Losing Body Fat Before Pregnancy

Obesity among women of childbearing age is increasing worldwide. Because babies of obese mothers are themselves predisposed to obesity, society can reasonably expect the epidemic of obese and overweight people to continue through future generations.

In the midst of this trend, UT Health Science Center San Antonio obstetrics researchers are studying the question: If mothers lose body fat before pregnancy, does it improve the lifelong health of their children? This could be one way to break the transgenerational cycle. A collaborative study between researchers with the Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research at the Health Science Center and the National Institute of Nutrition in Mexico City showed that if obese mothers lose weight before pregnancy, it confers health benefits on their offspring.

Research in rat mothers

In the study, researchers induced maternal obesity by feeding a group of female rats a high-fat diet prior to mating. This group of females ate the fatty chow from weaning through adolescent life to breeding and remained on it through pregnancy and lactation. Meanwhile, females in a second group were switched to normal chow one month before mating.

Reversible metabolic effects

Only male offspring were studied. At weaning, triglycerides, leptin, insulin and insulin resistance were elevated in offspring of obese mothers and all returned to normal if their mothers had received prepregnancy dietary intervention. Fat mass and fat cell size were increased in offspring of fat mothers and these changes were significantly reversed, though not completely abolished, by the dietary intervention. The authors said this is the first study showing reversibility of adverse metabolic effects of maternal obesity on offspring by a pre-pregnancy intervention. Outcomes and reversibility varied by tissue affected.

Good start in life

"Developmental programming sets the scene that influences one's health for the rest of life," Dr. Nathanielsz said. Some differences, such as heart disease and obesity, may not appear until much later in life.

"It is of interest that offspring of the obese mothers also showed high levels of leptin, a hormone that signals the brain to decrease appetite," he said. "This may mean they've developed a brain that is resistant to the signals that tell them they're getting fat, and they just go on eating and thus get fat as their mothers were. That is what we mean when we say that the effects are transgenerational. Leptin levels were normal in the offspring of the intervention group, showing that we can break this cycle."

Further directions

The experiment was novel in developmental programming - the first time a research team intervened to recuperate some animals from high-fat diets.

"We were able to see at least a 50 percent to 60 percent return," Dr. Nathanielsz said. "This is a first step. Perhaps we have to recuperate these rodents with a no-fat diet or add micronutrients to the diet. Or, there may be negative aspects to trying to recuperate too quickly. We believe this sort of information is necessary to provide guidelines as to the type of dietary intervention for women during pregnancy. Much remains to be done."

Source:
Will Sansom
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

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