Lead your Kids to the Right Track

How important is it to be a role model for your children when it comes to fitness and sports?
Some parents underestimate their behaviors and the influencing roles they play in helping their children make healthy choices.

The British Heart Foundation has notably cautioned that only one in eight kids is getting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children who are aged 8 to 18 watch nearly 4.5 hours of television a day. On average, our children spend 7 hours in front of media (TV, movies, computers, and video games).

Research suggests that if the child gets into the habits of exercising regularly, it will boost lifelong benefits—from improved life skills, greater self-confidence, team involvement, to social inclusivity.

Read more tips on how to encourage your children to stay active and fit: Teaching Healthy Exercise Values to Your Children

What Your Friends Reveal About Your Health

In life, there aren't many things we can control, but we can choose our friends, and a new study suggests this affects much more than our social lives.

Having good quality friendships has a major impact on physical and mental health, even more so than family relationships.

A new study shows that even online friendships can affect a person's overall health, and might even help them reach their personal goals of quitting smoking or losing weight.

This is especially true for those struggling with obesity. The study shows that online support helps people to follow diet and exercise plans better than real life friends can.

The author of the study, Damon Centola, wrote, "Our findings suggest that obese individuals may be more dependent than healthier individuals on the compositions of their social networks for making decisions about adopting health behaviors."

To learn more, read the full article: The Curious Connection Between Friendship and Health

How Will You Get Healthy in 2012?

The holidays are officially over, which means it's time to make New Year's resolutions!

Although many people dread this long-standing tradition, New Year's resolutions are a great way to work towards becoming a better person. Whether your goal is to quit smoking, eat healthier, or help others, making that promise to yourself is an important first step.

So what are the most popular New Year's resolutions of 2012?

For Americans especially, this year is all about getting healthy. From joining a gym, to cooking healthier meals, adults and kids alike are beginning to take responsibility for their health and well-being. Businesses are recognizing this change as well, and soon fitness centers all over the United States will be fully equipped to get your body, mind and spirit in tip-top shape. Instead of just a physical workout, gyms are following the trend of well-rounded health, and employing mental health doctors, nutrition specialists, lifestyle coaches and more to help clients get back into gear.

Schools and other businesses are also jumping aboard the health train, offering more time to move and exercise, along with healthier food options to make weight loss that much easier.

If all of that isn't enough to keep you motivated this year, social media is also on a health kick, with many networking sites and applications specially designed to keep your health on track.

To learn more about the health trends of 2012, read the full article: Health Trends to Watch in 2012

What Type of Snorer are You?

Snoring is becoming a more talked about health issue recently, especially due to the rising number of sleep apnea cases worldwide.

This sleep disorder is very serious, although not all types of snoring are associated with sleep apnea.

Snoring is both a nuisance (causing strain on relationships, and pure exhaustion) and a legitimate health condition that can lead to heart disease, dementia, and stroke if not addressed by a medical professional.

To get to the bottom of your (or your partner's) snoring problems, experts suggest figuring out the cause of the snoring. This can be a result of excess weight, bad habits such as smoking and drinking, or an underlying health condition. Different types of snorers come with different causes, and each variety of snoring has its own unique treatment plan, which involves everything from at-home remedies to surgery.

To learn more, read the full article here: Getting to the Source of Snoring and Sleep Apnea 

World AIDS Day 2011 Strives for an AIDS-Free Generation

World AIDS Day 2011 is tomorrow, Thursday December 1st.

This day is important in raising awareness for HIV/AIDS, and also promotes research and of course, HIV testing.

A recent report from the United States CDC showed that only 25 percent of HIV patients have their illness under control. This means they are taking all medications and receiving proper treatment to manage their illness.

The other 75 percent either doesn't know they have the condition, or they do not receive medical care for HIV/AIDS. This is discouraging information, considering that there are many anti-HIV drugs available to suppress the illness and prevent the spread of the infection to others.

World AIDS Day in partnership with the United Nations, hopes to increase access to HIV testing and medical treatment, with the goal of one day having an AIDS-free generation.

To learn more, read the full article: Keeping HIV Under Control Means More Testing, Treatment

Are We Killing Ourselves With Bad Health Habits?

Just less than a century ago, contagious illnesses plagued our society. With the invention of vaccinations, all of that changed, nearly wiping out tuberculosis, polio, and other killer viruses in the developed world.

With these illnesses eradicated, ideally, there shouldn't be anything to worry about health-wise, but according to the CDC and the United Nations, we couldn't be more wrong.

In September, the UN General Assembly held its first ever chronic disease summit, which highlighted heart disease, cancer, stroke and lung disease as a major cause of death worldwide. Although these conditions are very serious, they are also quite preventable, which is why experts believe that the public needs to take steps for their own personal health, before this international health issue becomes a full blown crisis.

Dr. Janet Brown, dean of the College of Nursing at Valparaiso University told the Northwest Indiana Times, “We could do a lot to help ourselves. We’re much better at helping people once they have a chronic disease live with it rather than prevent it. The road to getting people health is long and arduous.”

However, the prevention of chronic disease is surprisingly easy. These healthy habits can not only increase your chances of a longer life, but they will leave you looking and feeling great in the process.

To learn more about healthy habits, read the full article: Our Unhealthy Habits - A Potential Health Care Nightmare

Heart Disease Symptoms 'Hide' in Healthy Young Adults

You're a healthy weight, with good cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. Plus, you have no family history of heart attack or stroke. You might think you're in the clear as far as any risks of developing heart disease are concerned, but think again.

A new study shows that a large percentage of seemingly healthy young adults already have a major symptom of heart disease called atherosclerosis.

Lead study author Dr. Eric Larose said, “These are young adults with no known risk factors. They had no diabetes, their cholesterol levels and blood pressures were normal. And none of them were obese. They were basically the picture of good health.”

He added, “The proportion of young, apparently healthy adults who are presumably ‘the picture of health’ who already have atherosclerosis is staggering.”

Atherosclerosis is a thickening of the blood vessel walls, and this condition may be present in even the slimmest, healthiest of patients, without them even realizing it.

Scientists in the study used an MRI scan to determine the results, but they also suggested a much simpler approach to diagnosing this problem in young patients; measuring waist to hip ratio.

Dr. Nehal N. Mehta, director of the Inflammatory Risk Clinic in Preventative Cardiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania told MSNBC, “It’s important to realize that these changes in the arteries begin early in life and that atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that takes years to develop.”

She added, “You don’t have to wait to see a doctor to find out if you’re at risk. Just take a tape measure and see how your hips compare to your waist.”

While this easy trick can help gauge your risk for heart disease, experts also say healthy lifestyle choices, especially regular exercise, can improve heart health dramatically.

To learn more, read the full article: Many 'Healthy' Young Adults Have Hidden Heart Problems

Too Skinny for Pregnancy? Why "Mommyrexia" Isn't Healthy

Although it might be a dream to have the ability to become pregnant, gain a cute "bump", and shed the weight just weeks after giving birth, experts say keep dreaming, because "mommyrexia" is terrible for your health.

While celebrities might make this trend look good, it's no good for mom or baby, and can lead to dangerous pregnancy complications and pre-term labor.

A recent study shows another good reason for the super-skinny to gain a little weight: being underweight may also contribute to infertility.

In the study, which examined about 2,500 IVF cycles, scientists found that underweight women had the worst chances for pregnancy.

Head researcher Richard Sherbahn of the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago said to the Telegraph, “There has been the suggestion from other observations that being too thin is not good for fertility. Women that are too thin sometimes don’t always get periods or have irregular periods, and it alters their hormonal situation.”

To learn more, read the full article: The Skinny on Infertility - Why a Healthy Weight is Ideal for Pregnancy

Psychological Support Helps Weight Loss Surgery Patients Succeed

Many people don't realize that weight loss surgery is much more than a physical thing.

There are a lot of psychological issues that go hand-in-hand with obesity and bariatric surgery recovery.

Many weight loss surgery patients seek help because of an unhealthy relationship with food, which often stems from a mental health issue.

Most weight loss surgery clinics require a full psychiatric evaluation prior to undergoing gastric bypass or gastric band (lap band) surgery. This way, they can work out their issues with food beforehand and go into surgery with a positive mind; which makes recovery much more successful in the long run.

To learn more, read the full article: Support is Essential for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

Study: It is Possible to be Fat and Heathy

Weight-loss specialists will have a field day with this one. A new study shows that it's possible to live a healthy life, while being obese or overweight.

Contrary to popular belief, not all fat people need to lose weight. The study found that certain overweight or obese people that ate healthy and exercised regularly didn't have any major health problems.

These findings might completely change people's perception of health...skinny doesn't always equal healthy, and fat doesn't always cause disease.

Regardless, experts say that this isn't a free ticket to go out and gain a bunch of weight. People should still strive to exercise and eat healthful foods, no matter how much you weigh.

To learn more about this study, read the full article here: Is it Possible to be Obese and Healthy?

Infertility: Not Only a Woman's Problem

Infertility affects thousands of couples every year, and believe it or not, 30 percent of the time, the guy is to blame.

While there are some reasons for male infertility that are uncontrollable (like genetic disorders), many of them are directly linked with lifestyle.

Here's a few reasons why a guys sperm quality isn't as high as it should be:

1. Obesity
2. On-the-job exposure to heat and toxins
3. Drug and tobacco use
4. Poor diet

Luckily, things like eating more whole grains and vegetables or losing a little extra weight are easy to fix. Oftentimes, lifestyle changes can greatly reduce or even reverse some male infertility factors.

For those not so lucky, there are a variety of successful infertility treatments available that deal directly with male infertility issues.

To learn more about male infertility and what you can do to improve sperm quality, read the full article here: Is Infertility in Your Future?

Hospitals Stay One Step Ahead With Social Media

How likely are you to "friend" your doctor on Facebook?

According to a recent survey, social media and hospitals go hand-in-hand, and is a very important deciding factor for patients when choosing a health care provider.

The more involved a hospital is on social media sites, directly impacts their credibility, and patients tend to perceive these health care providers as more "cutting edge", versus a hospital without an internet presence.

To learn more, read the full article: Hospitals and Social Media - Staying on the Cutting Edge

Dentist Shortage Puts Americans at Risk for Poor Health

Did you know a single dental exam can catch some pretty serious health problems, including heart disease?

Regular dental exams and teeth cleanings are not only beneficial to your pearly whites. Several studies show that oral health is directly connected to overall health. Poor oral hygiene is linked to serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory conditions.

Going to the dentist is very important, but unfortunately, 33 Americans don't have access to dental care, according to a new report.

To learn more about this issue, and some possible solutions, read the full article: Millions of Americans Go Without Dental Care

Want to Live Forever? It May Be Possible Soon!

You would try just about anything to stop aging, right?

Face creams, Botox, and plastic surgery are all great for looking young on the outside, but what if it was possible to stay young and healthy internally for hundreds of years?

One scientist thinks that with stem cell therapy, immune boosting techniques and other advanced medical therapies could extend our life indefinitely.

His research on life extension proves this, and predicts that the first person to live until the age 1,000 will be born within the next 20 years!

This may seem impossible, but to decide for yourself, read the full article: Science is the Ultimate Secret to Anti-Aging

Diamonds Are Forever, but Breast Implants Sure Aren't!

A common misconception about plastic surgery is that it's a one-time investment to last a lifetime.

Wrong!

Plastic surgery procedures, like breast implants for example, require maintenance and upkeep, which is important, considering that these devices are inside the body. 

The FDA released a report this week, stating that breast implants are indeed safe, but they need to be replaced every 10 years. So, if you had breast implants surgery at 18 years old, this means you'll have to undergo at least FIVE more breast implant procedures throughout the years.

The FDA also warned that if breast implants aren't checked out and maintained periodically, serious risks and complications are very likely to occur. To learn more about the newest breast implant report, read the full article here: Unlike Diamonds, Breast Implants Aren't Forever

Tips on How to Make Your Man Lose Weight

Whoever said "Behind ever successful man is a great woman" was probably right. However when it comes to women motivating men to get fit and lose weight, it is not always the case. To motivate your man to make healthier choices, it's important to remember one thing: men are simple creatures!

Read more on how to get your man to the gym and stay healthy: Weight Loss and Relationships: How to Motivate Your Man

Transgender Celebs Inspire Self-Acceptance and Respect for Others

Lea T. and Chaz Bono are open about being transgender

Lady Gaga's single "Born this Way" has sold millions of copies, and some believe this song is the anthem of the young generation.

The song is about self love and acceptance, as well as respecting others, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

This has been a tough issue on societies all over the world, and until recently, people were generally dismissive of people that choose to live "and alternative lifestyle."

For some people this is not a choice, but rather they were born that way. Model Lea T. and celebrity Chaz Bono have experienced this first hand, and in the public eye nonetheless.

Read more about their personal struggles, sexual reassignment surgery and the happiness that comes with finally loving and accepting yourself for who you really are: Celebs Shine New Light on Sexual Reassignment Surgery

Gender Selection and Diet: Hype or the Real Deal?

Thinking of having kids? Want a baby of a certain gender?

Well, you might be able to eat your way to a boy or girl! Gender diets are the latest fad in the world of pregnancy and gender selection.

To have a girl, mothers are recommended to eat things like tofu, lean protein, and calcium rich foods, and skip out of salt and chocolate.

For a boy, eat yogurt, bacon, sausage, burgers, and drink milk.

It sounds simple enough, but many experts aren't convinced. They agree that the most important thing for mom and baby is to eat a healthy diet, period.

Learn more about gender diets, and healthy eating during pregnancy: Gender Selection-Do Gender Diets Really Work?

One Bush a Day Keeps the Heart Doctor Away

Brush your teeth, it will do your heart good! A recent study have found that brushing your teeth on a daily basis may prevent you from having a heart attack. Research suggested when poor dental hygiene causes plaque on your teeth, it goes into the bloodstreams and clogs the arteries. Dental diseases are not only associates with heart disease; diabetes disease can also affect your dental health, resulting in tooth fall or tooth extraction.


Learn more about oral hygiene and heart health: Brushing Your Teeth May Save You From a Heart Attack







  

Baby Boomers Insist on Staying Young...With the Help of Plastic and Orthopedic Surgery!

The oldest member of the baby boom generation turned 65 this year, which has got to mean one thing: the baby boomers are slowing down.

But for many members of the famous generation, the baby boomers aren't retiring any time soon; in fact, it seems like they're just getting started.

The rise in plastic and orthopedic surgeries amongst baby boomers is clear proof that this generation is alive and kickin'. To learn more about what this generation does to stay young, read the full article!