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The Rise of Obesity Among Latinx People
Read More: The Rise of Obesity Among Latinx PeopleObesity is a disease with complex causes — and culture and socioeconomic status can play a significant role. This is especially true in the Latinx community in the U.S., where nearly 8 out of 10 Hispanic women are living with obesity or overweight. And 1 in 4 Hispanic children between the ages of 6 and…
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Living With Obesity as You Age
Read More: Living With Obesity as You AgeMedically reviewed by Kelynne J. Oristel, R.N., GNP, APRN, Ph.D. (hon.) Aging is the biggest risk factor for heart attacks, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic health conditions. And obesity can make the aging process happen faster. That puts women who are living with obesity or overweight at even higher risk for mental and physical…
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Obesity Throughout Different Life Stages
Read More: Obesity Throughout Different Life StagesObesity can affect our bodies differently as we age. While excess weight can negatively affect health at any age, obesity in midlife and beyond can speed up the aging process, leading to worse mental and physical health outcomes for many women. For instance, living with obesity can harm your mental health and increase depression. It…
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The Risks of Obesity During and After Pregnancy
Read More: The Risks of Obesity During and After PregnancyShannon,* a mom of two now in her 40s, found some emotional challenges in dealing with the disease of obesity during her pregnancies, such as grieving for her lack of a “cute” baby bump. “Nobody can tell you’re pregnant … this was sad to me,” Shannon said. “I see thin women and all their cute…
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New Anti-Obesity Medications Are More Effective With Fewer Side Effects
Read More: New Anti-Obesity Medications Are More Effective With Fewer Side EffectsFor many people living with obesity, managing the disease will include a treatment plan that incorporates different tools at different stages in their weight journey. Take Michele Tedder, for example. Two years after initial success through weight loss surgery, Tedder, senior program manager at Black Women’s Health Initiative and founder of Bariatrically Blessed, realized that…
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Changing How We Talk About Obesity — A Conversation With Dr. Sowa
Read More: Changing How We Talk About Obesity — A Conversation With Dr. SowaConversations about obesity can be tricky for both healthcare providers (HCPs) and those seeking treatment for weight and obesity health concerns. Some women feel that their HCP uses language that implies judgment, while others may feel that their HCP doesn’t give them enough information to manage their weight. We reached out to Alexandra Sowa, M.D.…
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Obesity Is a Complex Disease With a Variety of Treatments
Read More: Obesity Is a Complex Disease With a Variety of TreatmentsMedically reviewed by Dr. Holly Lofton
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Beer and Spirits Have More Detrimental Effects on the Waistline and on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Than Red or White Wine
Read More: Beer and Spirits Have More Detrimental Effects on the Waistline and on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Than Red or White WineBy Brittany Larsen, Iowa State University The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Drinking beer and spirits is linked to elevated levels of visceral fat – the harmful type of fat that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and other health complications –…
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Obesity and Other Health Conditions
Read More: Obesity and Other Health ConditionsDesign: Megan Schofield Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexandra Sowa
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Celebrating Every Body Requires Access to the Best Weight-Management Care
Read More: Celebrating Every Body Requires Access to the Best Weight-Management CareIf you’ve gained weight during the Covid-19 pandemic, you are not alone. A year into the pandemic, an American Psychological Association survey showed that 45% of women report undesired weight gain, with an average addition of 22 pounds. Gaining weight can make us feel insecure about our appearance or uncomfortable in pants we may have…
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Kids With Obesity Need Acceptance From Family and Friends, Not Just Better Diet Tips, to Succeed at Managing Their Weight
Read More: Kids With Obesity Need Acceptance From Family and Friends, Not Just Better Diet Tips, to Succeed at Managing Their WeightBy Amanda Harrist, Oklahoma State University and Laura Hubbs-Tait, Oklahoma State University Hundreds of programs over the past four decades – from the removal of junk food from school vending machines to Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign – have tried to get kids in the U.S. to eat healthier food and exercise more often. But…
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The Intersections of Weight Stigma, Mental Wellbeing & Health Disparities
Read More: The Intersections of Weight Stigma, Mental Wellbeing & Health DisparitiesThis briefing will educate Congressional staff and others on the negative consequences of weight stigma in the U.S. and ways the organization is tackling this issue through their Reclaim Your Wellness campaign in partnership with the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Hear from leading experts about your risk factors, how to talk to your healthcare provider…
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Obesity Is a Disease That Can Be Managed in Many Ways
Read More: Obesity Is a Disease That Can Be Managed in Many WaysDesign: Megan Schofield Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexandra Sowa
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Heart Disease Is the Number One Cause of Death for Women
Read More: Heart Disease Is the Number One Cause of Death for WomenKim Lewis couldn’t shake a persistent cough. She’d been having trouble sleeping and had no energy. After six months, Lewis’ primary care provider (PCP) sent her to a lung specialist. Within minutes, the specialist sent Lewis to the hospital; he noticed that her lips were turning blue. Lewis insisted on driving herself and was lucky…
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8 Ways to Manage Body Image Anxiety After Lockdown
Read More: 8 Ways to Manage Body Image Anxiety After LockdownBy Tracy Tylka, The Ohio State University Being able to socialize again may bring enthusiasm and a sense of normalcy – but it may also increase anxiety over how your body might have changed. I am a psychologist who has studied body image for over 20 years, and I’ve seen how the COVID-19 pandemic could…
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Weight Stigma Is a Burden Around the World – and Has Negative Consequences Everywhere
Read More: Weight Stigma Is a Burden Around the World – and Has Negative Consequences EverywhereBy Rebecca Puhl, University of Connecticut Lazy. Unmotivated. No self-discipline. No willpower. These are just a few of the widespread stereotypes ingrained in American society about people who have a higher body weight or larger body size. Known as weight stigma, these attitudes result in many Americans being blamed, teased, bullied, mistreated and discriminated against.…
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How to ‘Build Back Better’ Health Habits After the Pandemic Year
Read More: How to ‘Build Back Better’ Health Habits After the Pandemic YearBy Claudia Finkelstein, Michigan State University The U.S. is in far different shape today than it was last Memorial Day, and many Americans are, too. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, undesired changes in weight driven by pandemic stress are widespread: 42% of adults reported gaining weight, with a median weight…
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Keep Your Brain Healthy at Every Age
Read More: Keep Your Brain Healthy at Every AgeMedically reviewed by Rudy Tanzi, Ph.D. In honor of Women’s Health Month, we’re exploring the importance of brain health for women of all ages. Join HealthyWomen’s CEO Beth Battaglino and Dr. Gayatri Devi of Park Avenue Neurology for a Q&A on all things related to brain health on Instagram Live today at 11:45 am EDT.…
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Family Meals Are Good for the Grown-Ups, Too, Not Just the Kids
Read More: Family Meals Are Good for the Grown-Ups, Too, Not Just the KidsBy Anne Fishel, Harvard University For all the parents feeling exhausted by the cooking, cleaning and planning of a million meals during the pandemic, there’s some good news. Commensality, or the sharing of food with others, is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Most parents already know that family mealtimes are great for the…
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Going Back to the Office? The Colder Temperature Could Lead to Weight Gain
Read More: Going Back to the Office? The Colder Temperature Could Lead to Weight GainBy Kenneth McLeod, Binghamton University, State University of New York With millions of Americans vaccinated against COVID-19, many who have worked from home over the past year will be heading back into the office. Adjusting to new routines is challenging and can affect our health and fitness. We’ve been more sedentary or more active, gained…
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15 Minutes With Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Read More: 15 Minutes With Dr. Sanjay GuptaDr. Sanjay Gupta recently took time out from his hectic schedule to speak with HealthyWomen’s editor-in-chief, Jaimie Seaton. An award-winning journalist, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, professor of neurosurgery and practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Gupta discussed his new book, “ Does Forgetting a Name or Word Mean That I Have Dementia? Racism Linked To Cognitive Decline in…
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Fast Facts: Everything You Need to Know About the Thyroid
Read More: Fast Facts: Everything You Need to Know About the ThyroidJanuary is National Thyroid Awareness Month. Medically reviewed by Dr. Uzma M. Siddiqui. In the United States, approximately 20 million people have thyroid disease, and women are five to eight times more likely to develop a problem than men. Up to 60% of people with a thyroid condition are unaware of their condition since the…
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COVID-19 Reveals How Obesity Harms the Body in Real Time, Not Just Over a Lifetime
Read More: COVID-19 Reveals How Obesity Harms the Body in Real Time, Not Just Over a LifetimeBy Cate Varney, University of Virginia The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust the obesity epidemic once again into the spotlight, revealing that obesity is no longer a disease that harms just in the long run but one that can have acutely devastating effects. New studies and information confirm doctors’ suspicion that this virus takes advantage of…
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Constant Dieters Might Be Choosing the Wrong Way to Lose Weight
Read More: Constant Dieters Might Be Choosing the Wrong Way to Lose WeightBy Peggy Liu, University of Pittsburgh and Kelly L. Haws, Vanderbilt University The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Dieters looking for a healthier substitute of their favorite high-fat food – such as a bag of potato chips – typically have two choices in the grocery aisle: a…
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The Secret to Combating Perimenopause Weight Gain
Read More: The Secret to Combating Perimenopause Weight GainFor most of my mother’s life, she was able to keep to a healthy weight with little effort, but perimenopause changed that. She was surprised to see that she was gaining weight. My mom wasn’t alone in this. Weight gain during perimenopause is a concern for a lot of women. So I reached out to…