He Shed, She Shed: Herbalife Surveys How Men And Women View Weight Loss

Couples making a joint New Year's effort to shape up may be surprised to find that they don't see eye-to-eye when it comes to tackling weight loss. A recent nationwide survey* of 1000 adults revealed that men and women differ not only in their strategies, but also in what motivates them to shed excess flab.

The survey, sponsored by Herbalife, shows that the main factor driving weight loss efforts for women is appearance - nearly 40 percent were motivated to lose because "I don't like the way I look." Looks matter to men, too, but feeling out of shape also ranked high - "not feeling healthy" was the top reason that drove 27 percent of the guys to take action.

Even though the prevalence rates of overweight are about the same in men and women, the survey showed that women get dissatisfied with their weight much earlier in the game than men do. A gain of five pounds or less was enough to motivate nearly 18 percent of women to step up their shape-up efforts, while nearly the same percentage of men said it would take a gain of more than 20 pounds or more before getting serious. The tipping point for the majority of both sexes is 10 pounds.

Portion control was equally important to both men and women, but a higher percentage of men focused on more frequent exercise as their main tactic. On the flip side, a higher percentage of women in the survey focused on healthier food choices, suggesting that men might be choosing to eat less, but not necessarily better.

Men and women might have much to gain - and more weight to lose - by borrowing some ploys from one another. "Men might be wise to think more like women in deciding to tackle their weight early on," said Dr. Luigi Gratton, vice president, nutrition education at Herbalife. "For one thing, it's easier to lose a little than to lose a lot, and as weight goes up, so do the risks to health," he noted. And while increased exercise is critical in the weight loss struggle, long-term success is more likely when healthier food choices are part of the package.

Women could take a tip from the guys by focusing more on the end result, to avoid feeling frustrated if they don't see results early on. A shift in focus - noting that better dietary choices and more exercise makes them feel healthier - might help women to stay on track. And, said Gratton, "Feeling stronger and healthier may help women to focus less on their appearance, and to be more accepting of their body's natural shape."

*Survey of US adult population, conducted by Synovate eNation, 12-06-2010 through 12-08-2010, margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

Source: Herbalife Ltd.

Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

American Women Speak Out About Weight Loss And Their Thoughts On Healthy Eating

On average, more than a third of American women think about their weight at least three times per day, and many think that achieving their weight loss goals or maintaining an 'ideal' weight requires overly strict and drastic lifestyle changes, according to a recent survey conducted by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, the marketer of SPLENDA® Sweetener Products, with the support of SHAPE Magazine. Eighty-one percent of women surveyed do not think they are at their ideal weight; still, almost half are optimistic they will achieve their ideal weight in 2011. The survey, which polled women across the country ages 25-54, returned thoughtful feedback on the state of weight loss in America today and the things women are doing to stay healthy.

The survey revealed that when it comes to achieving or maintaining their ideal weight, most women are ill-informed on the most effective and/or healthy ways to do so. For example, 91 percent of women were unaware of the amount of calories one needs to burn in order to lose a pound of fat (3,500 calories). Women surveyed cited stresses, demands on their time, family obligations and financial problems as the reasons their weight loss efforts have been difficult. With so many other factors on their minds, the survey also found that women tend to overlook nutritional value in their food purchases, ranking price, taste and quality higher. Only 17 percent of women ranked nutritional value as the most important factor when purchasing food.

"We found that many women are implementing major lifestyle changes to lose weight. Oftentimes it's small, simple changes that are not only crucial to the weight loss process, but are also healthy and effective in the long run," said SHAPE magazine senior health and nutrition editor Sharon Liao. "We want to spread the message that it doesn't need to be really difficult to make a difference and get on the right track."

The survey went on to reveal some detailed information on the steps women believe are necessary to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Many women surveyed believe that in order for an average woman to lose 20 pounds in one year, she would need to cut something like sweets or snacks out of her diet entirely (35 percent) or reduce her caloric intake to fewer than 1,000 calories per day (39 percent). In reality, an average woman can successfully lose weight if she follows a calorically-appropriate diet and stays active. The survey revealed that 70 percent of women currently add sugar to foods and beverages, most often adding it to their coffee (48 percent). By making smart substitutions with their food choices and by watching their portion sizes, women can continue to enjoy the foods they love with fewer calories from added sugars.

"If women have unrealistic ideas of what it takes to reduce calories and eat healthfully, they are more likely to become derailed in their weight loss efforts," said Fred Tewell, group product director for SPLENDA® Sweetener Products. "We want to educate women who are trying to manage their weight and let them know that a good place to start is by simply incorporating healthier habits into their daily routines, such as using SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener in place of sugar. If you replace 3 tablespoons of sugar each day with SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, you'll save 100 calories. It's important for women to know that they can carry out their goals in simple, delicious ways that won't disrupt their daily lives."

Source:
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

Extremely Obese People More Likely To Die From H1N1 Swine Flu

Extremely obese individuals, those with a BMI (body mass index) of over 40, have a significantly higher chance of dying from 2009 A(H1N1) swine flu infection compared to other people, researchers revealed in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The scientists gathered data from a public health surveillance database in California and found extreme obesity to be a "powerful risk factor for death".

The authors wrote that half of all patients in California aged at least 20 who were hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 were obese.

The researchers analyzed data on 534 adults who were hospitalized with swine flu during four months of 2009. Their aim was to determine whether obesity had an impact on swine flu mortality.

They focused specifically during the period April 20th to August 11th, 2009, on data collected by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The database included all reported cases of swine flu sent to CDPH by health providers during that period. The researchers excluded details on pregnant women and patients aged under 20 years.

There were 534 adult cases of 2009 H1N1 infection where BMI data were available. The authors revealed the following highlighted information: 43% (228) of them were aged at least 50 years72% (378) had flu-related high-risk conditions as risk factors for severe influenza (recognized by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)51% (274) had a BMI of over 30 (twice the Californian average for adults)61% of those who died had a BMI of over 30 (obese patients)30% of those who died had a BMI of over 40 (extremely obese patients)Janice K. Louie, MD, MPH, of the California Department of Public Health, wrote:

"Extremely obese persons with a body mass index equal to or over 40 should get vaccinated annually for influenza. They should also see their health provider early if symptoms of influenza develop, so that they can get diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. This is especially important if the influenza virus is known to be circulating in the community and causing illness."

Dr. Louie emphasized that further studies are required to explain why exactly extreme obesity significantly raises the risk of death from 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

The authors concluded in the journal's abstract:

"Half of Californians >20 years of age hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 infection were obese. Extreme obesity was associated with increased odds of death. Obese adults with 2009 H1N1 infection should be treated promptly and considered in prioritization of vaccine and antiviral medications during shortages."

"A Novel Risk Factor for a Novel Virus: Obesity and 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)"
Janice K. Louie, Meileen Acosta, Michael C. Samuel, Robert Schechter, Duc J. Vugia, Kathleen Harriman, Bela T. Matyas, and the California Pandemic (H1N1) Working Group
Clin Infect Dis. (2011) doi: 10.1093/cid/ciq152

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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.

posted by Bob Smith on 8 Jan 2011 at 10:24 am

So what you're saying is that you are at risk for fatal complications from ANY disease if you are out of shape, or in poor health in any respect. Is this really breaking news. Especially within the medical community.

| post followup | alert a moderator |

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

Pound For Pound Challenge Fights Hunger Through Weight Loss

NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples," General Mills, SUBWAY® and Feeding America are partnering on the Pound For Pound Challenge, a national initiative encouraging Americans to lose weight to combat hunger in their local communities. The weight participants pledge to lose will help Feeding America secure groceries on behalf of local food banks. Pound For Pound Challenge updates will air throughout season 11 of NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples".

In its third year, the Pound For Pound Challenge re-emerges at a crucial time. According to recent statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture, roughly 50 million people in the United States struggled with hunger at some point in 2009.

"Hunger continues to be a daily struggle for millions of families across America," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America. "By simply participating in the Pound For Pound Challenge, Americans can support our network of more than 200 food banks by helping us secure much needed groceries."

New this year, participants can enter the Challenge by pledging to maintain their current weight for a contribution equal to five pounds of weight loss. Additionally, this year marks the introduction of a team option on http://www.pfpchallenge.com. In the spirit of NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples," teams can compete online and will be ranked nationally.

The Pound For Pound Challenge hopes to help Feeding America secure up to 9.4 million pounds of groceries on behalf of local food banks. For every pound Americans pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 11 cents to Feeding America, up to a maximum donation of $1,040,000. Eleven cents is enough to secure one pound of groceries on behalf of a local food bank.

"As one of the largest food companies in the world, General Mills recognizes our responsibility to give back," said John Haugen, vice president, Health and Wellness at General Mills. "We've helped Feeding America deliver more than 9.7 million pounds of groceries to its local food banks through the Pound For Pound Challenge over the past two years, and we are pleased to continue the program to help in the fight against hunger."

General Mills offers a number of healthy food options to help keep dieters on track, including; Yoplait Light, Yoplait Greek, Yoplait Frozen Smoothie, Fiber One Original Cereal, Fiber One 90 Calorie Bar, MultiGrain Cheerios, Progresso Soup and Lärabar.

"The Pound For Pound Challenge gives Americans an extra incentive to get in shape and make healthy changes to their lives," said Alison Sweeney, host of NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples." "I love this program because it inspires people to fight the hunger crisis by improving their own health."

Each person who pledges will be matched with a local Feeding America food bank nearest to their residence. To ignite friendly competition, the pounds pledged by individual cities and states will be tracked and ranked.

"As we enter season 11, NBC's 'The Biggest Loser: Couples' is more passionate than ever to not only help Americans develop a healthy relationship with food, but also to call attention to the number of Americans who go without food," said Chad Bennett, Vice President of Reveille, the production company behind NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples."

"Whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner, SUBWAY® is a brand that supports consumers' desire to be healthy and active. The Pound For Pound Challenge is a natural strategic fit with our approach and it benefits both consumers and their communities," said Tony Pace, Chief Marketing Officer of the SUBWAY® Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust.

To learn more about the Challenge, visit http://www.pfpchallenge.com or http://www.biggestloser.com.

Source:
General Mills

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

IntraPace Receives CE Mark Certification For The Abiliti(R) System For The Treatment Of Obesity

IntraPace, Inc., announced that it has received European CE Mark approval for the abiliti system as a treatment for obesity. The CE Mark certifies that a product has met European Union requirements for commercial marketing in Europe.

"While gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are very effective treatments for obesity, they alter the digestive tract and are often associated with significant side effects. These side effects make many potential patients reluctant to choose these procedures," stated Prof. Thomas Horbach, Chief of Surgery, Stadtkrankenhaus Schwabach, a leading obesity clinic in Germany. "Patients receiving the abiliti system achieved substantial weight loss with almost none of the side effects seen with other bariatric interventions. This therapy addresses the biggest limitation of the established bariatric procedures."

The implantable device looks similar to a pacemaker and is built on the same proven technology used in millions of cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators each year. Following implantation via a simple minimally invasive surgical procedure, the abiliti system detects when a person eats or drinks and sends low level electrical impulses to the stomach. This stimulation is intended to help a person feel full before the stomach is actually full, causing them to eat less. As the anatomy of the stomach is not changed, clinical experience with the abiliti system has shown virtually none of the nausea and other side effects seen with gastric bypass surgery and gastric banding. Patients are not restricted in the types of food that they consume, but are encouraged to adopt a healthy diet and exercise program.

Further, this novel system automatically records when a patient eats, drinks, and exercises. Using a simple wireless connection, patients and physicians can view the consumption and exercise data. Access to this important information provides an enormous benefit as it allows physicians and patients to understand patient behaviours and develop effective strategies for weight loss. Additionally, the system connects patients to a valuable social support network, support which research has demonstrated increases the effectiveness of weight loss programs.

"CE Mark for the abiliti system is a major milestone for IntraPace that enables us to begin our commercialization strategy in Europe. Initially, the abiliti system will be offered through specialist clinics, starting in the UK, Spain, and Germany." noted Chuck Brynelsen, President & CEO of IntraPace. "The incidence of obesity among the world's population continues to grow each year, creating a huge demand for effective solutions. The abiliti system provides a patient-friendly solution that we believe many people considering weight loss surgery will find attractive."

About Obesity

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that affects the health and lifestyles of hundreds of millions of people. The recent increase in obesity in most developed countries is staggering, and it cuts across all ages, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic classes. In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 1.6 billion adults were overweight and at least 400 million were obese. By 2015, WHO projects that 2.3 billion adults worldwide will be overweight and more than 700 million clinically obese.

Increased weight raises the risk for numerous health problems including diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and stroke. For many obese people, diet and exercise plans have not allowed them to achieve sustained weight loss. For others, weight loss surgery has proven effective in helping them to lose substantial excess weight. However, the established surgical procedures impose lifestyle restrictions and have side effects and complication rates that leave many patients waiting for a better alternative.

Source:
IntraPace

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

Nuclear Receptors Reveal Possible Interventions For Cancer, Obesity

Research with significant implications in the treatment and intervention of cancer and obesity has been published recently in two prestigious journals by University of Houston (UH) biochemist Dr. Jan-Ake Gustafsson.

In an invited review in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the most-cited biomedical research journal in the world, Gustafsson and his team summarize the most recent results pertaining to the function of a nuclear receptor called estrogen receptor beta, or ERbeta, the biological and medical importance of which Gustafsson and his associates discovered in 1995. In the article, titled "Estrogen Signaling via Estrogen Receptor Beta," the group found that this regulatory molecule prevents what is called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, or EMT, in the prostate gland. EMT is believed to have an essential role in prostate tumor development. ERbeta also has a growth-suppressive effect in colon cancer cells.

All of this, added to new insights gained by the researchers regarding ERbeta's interaction with certain genetic materials, suggests that this molecule is potentially an interesting pharmaceutical target in many diseases, including cancer.

A second article by Gustafsson and his group appeared in a recent issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world's most-cited multidisciplinary scientific serials. Titled "Both liver-X receptor (LXR) isoforms control energy expenditure by regulating Brown Adipose Tissue activity," the research shows that two specific nuclear receptors - LXRalfa and LXRbeta - act in such a way as to indicate they have a crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis, which is important to maintain the stability of normal biological states during adjustments to environmental changes. Gustafsson suggests, then, that these molecules should be considered as targets in pharmaceutical intervention against obesity.

Both studies were performed in collaboration with Gustafsson's colleagues from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, where he continues his duties as a member of the Center for Biotechnology at Huddinge University Hospital at the Karolinska Institute. He also holds an appointment as an adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Since 2009, his primary duties are as the Robert A. Welch Professor in UH's biology and biochemistry department and director of the Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, a collaborative effort between UH and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute.

In addition to holding both a Ph.D. and M.D., Gustafsson was recently invited by the University of Turku in Finland to accept an honorary doctorate from its faculty of medicine during the institution's graduation ceremony to be held in May.

Source:
Lisa Merkl
University of Houston

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

Grape Ingredient Resveratrol Increases Beneficial Fat Hormone

Resveratrol, a compound in grapes, displays antioxidant and other positive properties. In a study published this week, researchers at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio describe a novel way in which resveratrol exerts these beneficial health effects.

Resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone derived from cells that manufacture and store fat, the team found. Adiponectin has a wide range of beneficial effects on obesity-related medical complications, said senior author Feng Liu, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and member of the Barshop Institute of Longevity and Aging Studies at the Health Science Center.

Both adiponectin and resveratrol display anti-obesity, anti-insulin resistance and anti-aging properties.

"Results from these studies should be of interest to those who are obese, diabetic and growing older," Dr. Liu said. "The findings should also provide important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of these diseases."

The researchers confirmed the finding in cells and animal models. The study is in the Jan. 7 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Previous studies

In July 2009 in the journal Nature, the Barshop Institute and collaborators reported that the compound rapamycin extended life in mice. Rapamycin, like resveratrol, is under scrutiny for its beneficial health effects.

In 2010, Dr. Liu and colleagues announced that resveratrol inhibits activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This discovery was included in the prestigious Faculty of 1000 (F1000), a service that identifies and evaluates the most important articles in biology and medical research publications. The selection process involves a peer-nominated global "faculty" of the world's leading scientists and clinicians who rate the best of the articles they read and explain their importance.

A reviewer said the study, which appeared in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, would open up work in a new area: explaining how resveratrol and rapamycin synergistically achieve their results.

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.

All opinions are moderated before being added.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here