We all know that being obese increases your risk of developing all sorts of potentially deadly health conditions, including blood clots, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and more. Most people think that those risks might reduce your lifespan by a few years—apparently not enough to shock overweight and obese people into changing their behavior. But new...Continue reading
Tag: obesity
Take a Deep Breath… New Tests Diagnose Cancer, Predict Obesity
For years, police departments around the world have been using breathzlizer tests to determine a person’s blood alcohol levels. In the not-too-distant future, your doctor will be using similar breath testing to diagnose cancer and predict obesity.
Money, Tea, Dental Floss, and a Full Head of Hair: Keys to Health?
What do dental floss, a full head of hair, money, and tea have in common? Not much, except that they’re all linked to better health outcomes for men. Here’s a brief overview of some fascinating new research.
Sweet Dreams: Why Sleep Is Critical to Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing: It messes with your brain, making you less alert and less able to think clearly. In previous articles on this site, we’ve talked about how not getting about six hours of sleep per night for long periods of time also increases your chances of being overweight. But according to...Continue reading
The Latest Cure for Obesity? Get a Divorce
We often hear that being in a good relationship is good for your health. Satisfied couples, for example, are more likely to take medication as directed and to schedule yearly physicals. But when it comes to weight gain, the opposite may be true. Couples who are satisfied with their marriage tend to put on the...Continue reading
Health Screenings Run Amok?
In 2012, Kaiser Permanente did a survey and found that less than 20 percent of employers asked their employees to undergo a health risk assessment or participate in wellness programs. Some of them have made it mandatory or fined workers for not complying.
Could You Be Twice the Man You Think You Are?
I recently did a post on how parents of overweight and obese children routinely underestimate just how overweight their kids are. A recent study from Ireland has found that overweight adults are at least as clueless (or in denial) about their own weight. And they get less and less accurate over time. Over the course...Continue reading
Male Obesity is a Really Big Deal
Unless you’ve been trapped on another planet for the past few years, you probably know that obesity is a big, big problem in this country. And you also (hopefully) know that obesity increases one’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. But what you may not know is that obesity is an especially...Continue reading
Want Grandchildren? Make Sure Your Sons Aren’t Overwieght
Researchers at the University of Buffalo found that obese boys between 14-20 have 50 percent less testosterone that boys the same age whose weight is normal.
Under Pressure: The Real Reason Our Joints Creeeeeak…
There’s no question that the cartilage in our joints wear deteriorates with age. But if you’re overweight, your chances of developing arthritis or joint problems–especially in the hips and knees–goes way, way up. Obese people are twice as likely as non-obese people to develop arthritis, according to Dr. Richard Iorio, an orthopedic surgeon and a...Continue reading