Author Archives: Lashell Hoover

Does Television Influence Children’s Nutrition?

In an effort to prevent childhood obesity, the American Heart Association recommends limiting video and television viewing for children to no more than a couple of hours daily. They do not recommend putting a television set in children’s rooms. And, they also suggest urging children to play or to engage in some other physical activity for an hour each day. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not letting children view television until the age of 2? They suggest limiting viewing time to 2 hours daily after age 2. During a study, Harvard researchers found that long … Continue reading →

Eating Disorders and Our Relationship with Food

Did you know that binge eating is more common than anorexia or bulimia? A national survey was conducted by psychiatric researchers at Harvard University Medical School and McLean Psychiatric Hospital. Of the people surveyed, 3.5% of women and 2% of men were binge eating (eating beyond the point of fullness without vomiting). The results for those suffering from anorexia were .9% of women and .3% of men. Those suffering from bulimia were 1.5% of women and .5% of men. Nine thousand people were interviewed for this survey. It’s likely that the number of people suffering from these eating disorders is … Continue reading →

Schools Battle Childhood Obesity

Researchers from Indiana University and Ohio State studied the growth rates of body mass indexes of more than 5000 children. They found that the five and six year olds’ BMIs increased nearly twice as much during the summer than during the school year. The monthly growth rate of their BMIs decreased when school was in session. The researchers believe that the increase in weight was due to a more relaxed lifestyle. During the summer months, children have more leisure time to watch television, play video games, and be idle. In addition, they may have more time to snack on junk … Continue reading →

When Size Affects Income

Size discrimination affects skinny people as well as obese people. One does not have to be anorexic to have an ultra thin frame. One of my aunts is 5’8” tall and wears a size 6. She doesn’t like to talk about weight although she has never been larger. Occasionally, she hears negative comments about her size which makes her angry. These are rude, insensitive comments that she has heard for most of her life. Throughout her twenties and thirties, she was no larger than a size 4. In her adolescent years, she could wear a size zero. She has been … Continue reading →

Mom Retains Custody of Son Suffering from Obesity

Nicola McKeown, age 35, a resident of Wallsend, in northeastern England, was permitted to keep her son after a child protection meeting with officials of North Tyneside Council. As part of the agreement, McKeown had to agree to place her son on a stringent diet and exercise regime. How did it come to this? Under the Children Act, local law officials must investigate if there is reason to believe that a child in their jurisdiction is being harmed or suffering. Connor McCreaddie, age 8, would have been placed on a child protection register and taken from his family because he … Continue reading →

Viscofiber: A Fiber Supplement

There are two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber mostly stays intact as it passes through the intestines. It helps with regularity, reduces constipation, and removes waste. Soluble fiber attracts water. It forms a gel when it dissolves which collects fats, cholesterol, sugars, and bile. Absorption by the body is slowed. Waste forms and it is excreted from the body. Viscofiber is an all natural, soluble, dietary fiber made from oats, barley, and beta-glucan concentrates. Beta-glucan is found in oats. It is known to decrease: blood glucose, insulin concentration, and LDL-C levels. Viscofiber helps with maintenance of normal … Continue reading →

Pigment in Brown Seaweed Promotes Weight Loss

Chemists in Japan discovered that the pigment in brown seaweed promotes weight loss. Brown seaweed is used in Asian soups and salads. The pigment, fucoxanthin, gives the seaweed its color and conducts photosynthesis. The study was conducted by researchers at Hokkaido University in Hokkaido, Japan. The seaweed they used was wakame. Obese rodents where consuming the pigment as a dried powder which was extracted from the seaweed and added to their food. The rodents experienced a 5% to 10% weight loss. Fucoxanthin targeted belly fat and promoted production of DHA in the liver when it was mixed with soybean oil. … Continue reading →

Losing Weight Means Finding Out What Works For You

Have you heard the weight loss story of Roger Troy Wilson, the author of the book Let’s Do Lunch? He went from 425 pounds and a 60 inch waist to 195 pounds and a 36 inch waist after devising his own weight loss plan. He claims that he developed his weight loss regimen through trial and error. He makes four suggestions to help you get started. 1. Eat enough fruit each day to curb your cravings for sweets. 2. Lunch should be your main meal and it should be protein packed. 3. Succumb to cravings, if you must, but choose … Continue reading →

Will You Diet or Exercise?

When you burn more calories than you consume, you lose weight. You can exercise to burn those calories or you can limit your caloric intake as part of your diet plan. Does it matter which you choose? The results of one study concluded that it doesn’t. The study was conducted by doctors at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For six months, thirty-five overweight but healthy individuals were monitored. During the study, they were separated into three groups. Eleven people followed a weight maintenance diet where they didn’t have to make lifestyle or diet changes. Twelve people … Continue reading →

Want to Lose Weight? Try These Three Steps

You want to lose weight, but you don’t know where to begin. Should you take weight loss supplements? Is online support the way to go? Which diet plan really works? Weight Watcher’s, Jenny Craig, whose system should you choose? Take a look at these three steps to help you conquer information overload. Step One: Things to Consider 1. What is your personal weight loss goal? How many pounds do you want to lose 5, 15, 50, 100, or more? 2. Why do you want to lose weight? Is it for yourself, a loved one, or for your health? 3. How … Continue reading →