Problems pile up for overweight women

Women who are overweight are also more likely to lose their jobs, have money problems, be victims of crime or be criminals themselves, all of which can cause them to stress eat, which just makes their weight problems worse. Researchers from the psychiatry department at the University of Connecticut had more than 41,000 adults keep a year-long record of their lives and found that heavy people reported more stressful life events than people of normal weight. While overweight men had more stress than normal weight men, the difference was particularly pronounced for overweight women, who were more likely to have experienced the death of a loved one or friend, had money problems or faced discrimination at work.

Legislator wants Oklahoma kids weighed

Taking a page from its neighbor to the east, Oklahoma may require children to be weighed at school to monitor obesity rates, with letters to be sent to parents whose kids are found to have a high or low body mass index. The proposal, by Rep. Richard Morrissette, is still being written, but he says home-schooled kids would also be measured and it may be possible for kids to be turned over to authorities if they’re “malnourished,” we assume either by being severely overweight or underweight.

Craving chocolate? Take a walk

British research suggests that taking a 15-minute walk can help chocoholics curb their cravings. Because chocolate cravings are often triggered by boredom, stress or a desire to lift a person’s mood, taking a quick, active break can break the cycle and make people feel better without eating, according to a report in the journal Appetite. Twenty-five people who reported eating at least two candy bars a day were asked to abstain for three days. Some people were asked to walk for 15 minutes before finishing a mentally stimulating task and handling a candy bar, while others just sat quietly. Those who walked had fewer cravings even when chocolate was available.

Depressed people less able to control blood sugar

Veterans with depression were found to have higher measures of long-term blood sugar over the course of a decade than vets who weren’t depressed, according to research from the Medical University of South Carolina. The difference between the two groups was not huge, but on an individual level, higher blood sugar levels indicate a higher risk for complications related to diabetes. It’s estimated that 30 percent of people with diabetes also have depression at some point.

Broccoli may lower smokers’ risk of lung cancer

Smokers and former smokers who eat a lot of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables seem to be less likely to develop lung cancer than those who don’t get as many of those veggies. A report given at an American Association of Cancer Research meeting said that in particular eating these vegetables raw may be protective because of the isothiocyanates they contain, which seem to protect against cancer but may be damaged by cooking. Researchers said the study doesn’t prove that eating broccoli prevents lung cancer, but they also said smokers should quit and eat more of these vegetables, since there’s no downside to eating more.

UK channel to debut healthy programming

Finally, if you get ITV1, you’ll soon see more health-related programming that will aim to get the UK in shape after Christmas. The shows will air over eight weeks and will encourage people to get friends and family involved in fitness. The programs will include ITV celebrities, music, comedy bits and challenges to inspire people to get healthy. They’re part of the country’s Change4Life campaign. The network is also planning a British version of “The Biggest Loser.”

(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)

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This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 and is filed under Body mass index, Childhood obesity, Diabetes, Exercise and fitness, Food miscellaneous, Foreign stories (non-U.S.), Kids and families, Nibbles: diet news shorts, Obesity health dangers, Obesity research and studies. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.