Many of us like to indulge in comfort foods when we feel stressed. But the relationship between stress and weight gain includes many other factors beyond consuming a few extra calories. “Researchers have long known that rises in the stress hormone cortisol lead to weight gain. Every time you’re stressed, your adrenal glands release adrenalineContinue reading “In the News: Stress & Weight”
Tag Archives: obesity
In the News: Ozempic and Intestinal Obstruction
If you are using a GLP-1 agonist drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Saxenda, Victoza, Mounjaro, Byetta, Bydureon, Rybelsus, Adlyxin, or other related medications (1), please take this new caution seriously. These drugs can contribute to intestinal blockages. Some of these medications already included label warnings about this health issue, but not Ozempic. “Blocked intestines, knownContinue reading “In the News: Ozempic and Intestinal Obstruction”
In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality
In a (very) long term study of nearly 400,000 participants aged 50-71, it was found that those eating low fat diets had significantly reduced overall mortality “by 18%, cardiovascular mortality by 16%, and cancer mortality by 18%” (1). The study differentiated between healthy and unhealthy diets for both low carb and low fat versions. ForContinue reading “In the News: Low Fat vs. Low Carb Diets’ Effects on Mortality”
Fat Shaming, Weight Stigma & Bias
This can be a painful topic, and it was hard to even know where to start. But it’s important to address the unfair treatment that many of us have experienced. I chose this image of a strong person breaking through a barrier of bricks to represent today’s topic. It symbolizes what I’d like for usContinue reading “Fat Shaming, Weight Stigma & Bias”
In the News: Weight Watchers Is New Owner of Sequence, Wegovy, Ozempic Supplier
You may have seen reports of some major weight loss industry news – WeightWatchers (WW) has purchased a company called Sequence. Sequence has a weight management program that includes weight loss medication, a nutrition plan, a fitness plan, medical insurance coordination, and access to health care professionals. It’s known for its access to GLP-1 agonistContinue reading “In the News: Weight Watchers Is New Owner of Sequence, Wegovy, Ozempic Supplier”
What Is Skinny Fat?
Today I read a Facebook post that mentioned “skinny fat.” I thought that this unfortunate phrase could be either a typo or a joke, but instead discovered that it’s a true health concern. Metabolically-Obese Normal Weight (MONW) is a real condition that increases your risk factors for the same diseases as typically found with obesityContinue reading “What Is Skinny Fat?”
In the News: World Obesity Day 2023
I was surprised to read several headlines about obesity today – all revolving around the global obesity situation we are facing. It’s then that I discovered that March 4th is World Obesity Day. Each year, there is a different theme that the World Obesity Federation (WOF) organization hopes will make a difference in addressing theContinue reading “In the News: World Obesity Day 2023”
Self Care: Mindfulness
Have you been seeing the term mindfulness more often lately? It’s not always associated with dieting, but it is often discussed in terms of health benefits. As it turns out, it can play a role in maintaining a healthy weight. Sometimes mindfulness is coupled directly with food, as in mindful eating. In that case, it’sContinue reading “Self Care: Mindfulness”
Weighing In on That
How often should you weigh in to check your maintenance progress? Short answer: it depends on the individual. For the long answer, read below to find out what studies and experts suggest. But in the end, it still comes down to what you feel is best for you! I weigh myself daily, though I’ve beenContinue reading “Weighing In on That”
How to Support Others on Their Weight Maintenance or Weight Loss Journeys
Today let’s talk about ways we can help others as we strive to maintain our healthy weight. So the focus will be on support for friends and family, whether we interact with them in person, or online in various groups and websites. And while we are helping others, we will be learning how to beContinue reading “How to Support Others on Their Weight Maintenance or Weight Loss Journeys”
In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines
How do you feel about offering prescription diet medications to 12 year olds? Permanent weight loss surgery to a 13 year old? Weight loss counseling to a toddler? Yes, I’ve taken the obesity interventions recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) to their extreme conclusions, but those really are are part of their guidelines.Continue reading “In the News: Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Guidelines”
BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios
Many experts agree that weight and body mass index (BMI) are insufficient to assess our health. This is because exercise, which is clearly healthy, builds muscle mass. Muscle is significantly more dense than fat, so it is possible to gain weight and actually be thinner and healthier than you were at a lower weight. BMIContinue reading “BMI, Waist Circumference & Waist-to-Hip Ratios”
In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications
Preface Note: There is a lot of personal history in this post. If you want to get straight to the facts, skip the following paragraphs in blue and start with The Struggle Is Real. As you may know, when I began my last diet, I went to a Bariatric Center at The Mayo Clinic inContinue reading “In the News: Maintenance After Stopping Ozempic and Other Anti-Obesity Medications”
Tracking
According to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, tracking meals and snacks is one of the most important components of our weight loss programs (1). It’s so easy to leave out those hidden calories that can derail our plans if we’re not being mindful. Just a few added snacks or beverages can really add up ifContinue reading “Tracking”
Conflicts of Interest
Whenever possible, I will include journal articles (or reports based on their studies) as support for what I write in my blog posts. There are several reasons for this: As a person whose background is in economics, it’s that last one that is most meaningful to me. I am always wondering. “What’s in it forContinue reading “Conflicts of Interest”
Exercise: Zumba®
Let’s look at another fun way to improve our fitness. Dancing to a Latin beat sounds like a great candidate, but I had wondered how effective Zumba is for weight maintenance and improving our health in general. Turns out that it’s an extremely good way to rev up our activity level and improve fitness. KeepContinue reading “Exercise: Zumba®”
In the News: Contemplating “The Whale”
I’m not keenly interested in movies, but when I read about The Whale in my news feed, I felt compelled to watch it. I was expecting an uncomfortable depiction of obesity, something like My 600 Pound Life or The Biggest Loser but with an artistic bent. However, screenplay author Samuel D. Hunter takes things inContinue reading “In the News: Contemplating “The Whale””
Coursework: Food Insecurity & Obesity
Perhaps you’ve encountered this paradox: many people who experience low food security have an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese (1). On the surface, this seems odd – that you might have a shortage of food yet are likely to weigh more than those with ample food choices. I believe that last word givesContinue reading “Coursework: Food Insecurity & Obesity”
Medical Challenges to Weight Maintenance
I’m not looking for something to blame; I’m looking for something to explain. This is how I feel about the medical conditions and medications that have an association with weight gain. If we can understand the reasons, we will be closer to finding the solutions. Please speak with your own physician to find out ifContinue reading “Medical Challenges to Weight Maintenance”
Coursework: Understanding Obesity Unit 3 of 3
This is a look into the content of the third unit of Understanding Obesity, a free class on Coursera*. You can also pay a fee to receive a certificate if you desire, but everyone has access to a record which shows your final grade with no charge. Here are links to my prior posts onContinue reading “Coursework: Understanding Obesity Unit 3 of 3”
Maintain Weight Loss 