A family gain

A stressful family life can lead to a heavy family gain. According to a study, a child who grows up in a home with stressors such as divorce, illness, death, or violence can foster overweight children. The article never mentions exactly how these children become obese, but binge eating and absence of motivation to exercise may be the culprits. Nevertheless, children learn a lot from their elders, so if you know a child who is struggling at home, reach out as a healthy role model.

In other "news" from 2006, obesity can be contagious. Granted, this is an older article, but the overweight epidemic has only grown in the past three years. The Journal of Physiology, Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology reported that some cases of obesity are caused by the human adenovirus Ad-37, which also causes obesity in chickens.

Research has shown that the amount of fat carried by our fat cells cells can increase when we are infected with such a virus. The team of researchers even planned to create an "anti-obesity" vaccine to offset the progression of the virus. (Ha.)

The doctor who oversaw this study commented that some people may carry the virus but are not necessarily obese. A healthy lifestyle of exercise and a sensible diet are still the best antidotes for the disease. (Go figure! Pun intended.)

Three years later, I wonder how much attention has been given to this matter. Yes, obesity is hereditary, but the epidemic has become so widespread that it is hardly and issue of familial genetics and more a concern for poor dietary decisions and lack of physical activity.

Doom on a plate

"Surprising" new results: a study has revealed that simply seeing a certain food can heighten your desire for it. While this certainly is not a shock to consumers, it is something of which to take note.

It explains why we have such high obesity rates and a growing concern for nutritional consumerism. Advertising is everywhere, and people are easily-influenced, especially the time-crunched, multitasking adults of America. Fast food chains want people to see how inexpensive and simple it can be to obtain a dinner for five without washing one dish.

These cheap and easy dinners, however, are contributing to expanding belts across America. Solution? Revamp your will power. See the ads as art, not decision-makers. As an adult, you're free to make your own decisions on virtually anything. Why not decide to treat your body respectfully and give it the nutrients it deserves?

Hail to the Sloth

Yesterday (Inauguration Day) was celebratory not only for America, but for the world. Hopefully, the swearing-in of this new man with new ideas and hope for this tarnished nation will cause foreigners to re-examine their views of the U.S. and restore our disheveled pride. As an avid exerciser, newly-sworn-in President Barack Obama has the opportunity to reinvigorate the lazy Americans among us.

Our friends at Fitness Magazine have decided to focus on the unhealthiest presidents in history, bringing to light the importance of health when running a country. While I must argue that a man's physical condition has much to do with his quality of life, I find it a bit vain to zoom in on these leaders' physical appearances. Nonetheless, the tally is quite intriguing. Take a peek for yourself.

With new medicinal remedies and more preventative measures, the Presidents of the 21st century can anticipate better health and set an example for a new way of life for every American family.

Biggest dishes in the U.S.

The contents of this list do not surprise me; however, the amount of people who consume these dishes daily does shock me a bit. It was my understanding that food companies only construct dishes this large for dreadful all-you-can-eat contests or world record entries. Unfortunately, I am wrong, and these meals are cooked up on a frequent basis, thus contributing to our already obese society.

Please join me in boycotting these establishments. America is embarking on a new era, with new leadership and a new outlook on life. It's our duty as citizens of this country to take part in this generational change and start focusing on the importance of taking care of ourselves.

I am honored to be living in D.C. as my pride is restored in this nation. I may need a new name for this blog, though...

Child health study

The largest-ever child health study is currently recruiting participants (expectant mothers) in North Carolina and New York. This "National Children's Study" will follow 100,000 children from conception to age 21. Hopefully, scientists will be able to seek out the roots for certain ailments such as allergies, chronic diseases, and autism, and they will be able to separate the genetic causes from the environmental causes.

There are, of course, ethical considerations involved with this study. The subjects (children) must submit to frequent physical exams and the home environment will be monitored every three years. The scientists hope to begin studying their first child by July 2009, with data on premature birth and birth defects as early as 2012. They plan to have nationwide enrollment by 2010.

My main hope for this study is that they will be able to monitor nutrition and possible causes for childhood obesity. Fortunately, other news comforts my worry for the youth of America: 1 in 200 children is a vegetarian.

While I believe that the nutritional benefits of meat are vital for children's growing muscles, there are alternative sources for those who find meat products nauseating. The study finds that most vegetarian children follow the diet because of animals rights beliefs rather than nutritional concerns.

Adopting healthy eating habits as a child is important and I believe they should be counseled closely by parents. A vegetarian diet may mean skimping on meat, but children can still go overboard on sugars, like candy and soda.

Regardless of a child's nutritional beliefs, an awareness of moderate consumption and the freedom to try new things can lead the way to a healthy-decision-making adult.

All year is the time to get fit

I understand the whole "New Year's Resolution" deal, but that doesn't mean I choose to follow or accept it. I, for one, do not make resolutions in fear that they will only be broken and thus my perfectionist persona will squash me like a 15-pound body bar on a termite. As a supporter of all that encompasses a healthy lifestyle, it irks me when crowds decide to flock to the elliptical machines, StairMasters, and treadmills that we "daily exercisers" call home.

I undoubtedly approve of your desire for a healthier way of life and your inclination to work off the cookies, candies, gravy, etc., that the holiday season forced down your throat, but instead of shocking us (the full-time residents of the gym) one month a year, it would be beneficial for all parties involved if you maintained this efficient schedule all year so we all can keep our routines.

From the bottom of our muscular, blood-pumping hearts, we thank you for making this commitment to yourselves and to the availability of machine-cleansing cloths.

P.S. - Workout DVDs make great gifts! Keep this in mind for next year.

In with the new

Happy 2009! Unfortunately, the opening days of the last year of this decade have not showcased my healthiest habits, but in an effort to be optimistic, I look at it as getting my unhealthy habits out of the way.

I see my habits as day-to-day (not year-to-year) decisions, so I am not worried that I may have gotten off to an unhealthy start. I nourish my body 95% of the year, so a few days here and there hopefully will go unpunished. The harm done to our bodies sometimes cannot be reversed, but it's important not to berate ourselves, but to return to healthy choices the very next day. Resolutions or not, that should be a lesson for all: forgiveness.