Weight loss is of great concern among todays generation, especially among youngsters who aspire perfect body shapes as per the assumption of society. The ideal body shape expectation in many areas of work, social pressure to look thin and the fear of being missed out in this competitive world often take people to the wrong dietary practices.

According to The American Dietetic Association, a fad diet is a type of diet that ensures instant weight loss without any need to perform exercise or physical activities but does not rely on clear scientific evidence and is thus considered to be an unsafe diet that can increase the risk of health conditions such as kidney damage, ketosis and disruption of fluid. In this article, we will discuss fad diets in detail. Take a look.

What are fad diets?

As aforementioned, fad diets are diet types that promise effective weight loss but are based on anecdotal evidence and short-term results. According to a study, fad diets offer the consumption of tasty and our favourite foods, but severely restricts certain food categories.

They are low-kilojoule diets or say those that provide less energy than an individuals requirement. If carried out successfully for a longer period, a fad diet with less energy intake can result in long-term weight loss.

The study adds that the idea behind these diet types is to modify eating patterns and maintain physical activity so that balanced eating consisting of all nutrients is achieved.

Another questionnaire-based study on early adulthood girl models with an average age of 21 says that the type of fad diet which is highly carried out by models is consuming low-fat drinks such as slimming tea and fibrous drinks, with the intake of just one type of food, either protein or carbs or fruits and vegetables. The drinks may help eliminate fat around 57.6 per cent while sticking to just one food type may cause a reduction of around 55.7 per cent fat.

Examples of fad diets

Some of the diet types that can be considered as fad diets include:

1. Ketogenic diet

2. The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet

3. Vegan diet

4. The Pritikin Principle

5. Atkins diet

6. Cambridge Diet

7. Paleo Diet

8. Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan

9. SlimFast diet

Note: Some of the Fad Diets like Ketogenic and Atkins diets are considered to be healthy with many benefits.

How to identify a fad diet?

You can identify a fad diet when it:

1. Promises instant weight loss.

2. Ensures that food can help change body chemistry and help lose weight.

3. Claims effective weight loss based on testimonials only or anecdotal studies.

4. Claiming weight loss by endorsing celebrities or influencers.

5. Restrict food groups like removing gluten or carbs from the diet.

6. Promotes a food combination as a quick fix for weight management.

7. Claims weight loss based on before and after photos.

8. Requires you to invest a lot of money to get the advantages of weight loss pills or prepackaged meals.

Why do fad diets dont work?

Fad diets often cause people to deprive them of their favourite foods or a food category, which backfires and often results in overconsumption of these foods.

Overconsumption

Fad diets often cause people to deprive them of their favourite foods or a food category, which backfires and often results in overconsumption of these foods.

Avoidance of certain food categories without any related medical condition

An associate professor Christopher Gustafson at the University of Lincoln, who is also a co-led of a study published in the journal Appetite says that people without Celiac disease or any gluten sensitivity are often seen to avoid the consumption of gluten diets to follow the fad diet and reduce weight. This causes them to miss out on essential nutrients even if they are not allergic to them and cause them some kind of nutritional deficiencies.

Causes deficient in micronutrients

Though fad diets result in effective weight loss, they may cause micronutrient deficiencies, says a study. These diets cause less consumption of one or the other foods and result in less intake of nutrients than the daily recommended amounts, causing deficiency in micronutrients.

May cause eating disorders

People, especially celebrities, try harder to get an ideal body shape. This often triggers dissatisfaction with their body image and leads them to some kind of eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa.

Health problems related to fad diets

Fad diets are unsafe because they may cause certain health problems like:

1. Chronic energy efficiency

2. Diverticulitis

3. Constipation

4. Headache & Nausea

5. Micronutrient deficiencies

6. Fatigue and weakness

7. Dehydration

Are there any health benefits of fad diets?

Instant weight loss is one of the primary benefits of fad diets, be it in an unsafe way. According to the Sports Dietician Australia, some of the health benefits of fad diets like the paleo diet, keto diet and Atkins diet may include good skin health, good digestion and good overall health in the long run.

What to do?

Instead of following a fad diet, one should focus on following a balanced diet type that includes all the nutrients and should also include your favourite foods (in small amounts) without causing deprivation. Therefore you should, Consume all food types that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Consume plenty of water. Avoid packaged foods as they are high in salt and sweeteners. Instead, opt for natural sweeteners like jaggery. Limit alcohol intake

Understanding your body is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy diet. Experts say that simply following a diet type for weight loss is unhealthy in the long run and may increase the risk of diseases. Therefore, if you want to lose weight, make plans by consulting a dietician or a nutritionist or a medical expert and then make a diet plan based on your medical condition. Never expect results in a short period and remember, that all good things take time.

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What are fad diets? Why are they popular instead of being unsafe? - Free Press Journal

Visceral fat is a hidden health issue not talked about as much as it should be. While most people know about subcutaneous fatthe fat that you can see and pinch, many don't know about visceral fat, which is located deep in your abdomen. It wraps around your vital organs and can cause serious health issues like some cancers, stroke, type 2 diabetes and more. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Dr. Seema Bonney, the founder and medical director of the Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Philadelphia who revealed three ways to lose visceral fat and what causes it. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

According to Dr. Bonney, "Diet is at least 80% of the equation when getting rid of visceral fat. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables of every color. Some studies have shown that more calcium and vitamin D in your body is linked to lower amounts of visceral fat. Reduce or eliminate sources of sugar in your diet and simple carbs that turn into sugar. Avoiding processed foods will also help you lose and keep off visceral fat. Increase your intake of lean proteins and reduce intake of red meats. It's key to eat smart while some foods help you reduce visceral fat, others help you gain it so avoid foods with trans fats as well. At our longevity practice, our health coach helps patients read food labels to avoid ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Dr. Bonney states, "Long-term lifestyle changes like making sure you exercise daily is key to losing visceral fat. And as far as the kinds of exercise you can do, specifically cardio is best when attacking visceral fat. In general, it's so important to keep moving. If your job is sedentary, get a standing desk and make sure to get some steps in every hour. If you can walk instead of driving close distances, opt for the walk. be sure to build some exercise into your daily regimen. Ideally you want to do 30 min of exercise daily, but studies have shown us that even 10 minutes of daily exercise enhances longevity!"

"Getting enough sleep is part of the plan to reduce visceral fat," says Dr. Bonney. "It's not only important for optimal physical and mental health as well as a healthy cardiovascular system. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology demonstrated that lack of sufficient sleep led to a 9% increase in total abdominal fat and an 11% increase in abdominal visceral fat. So beef up your sleep hygiene and track your sleep to see if this needs to be addressed with your functional medicine physician."

RELATED: Signs Your Gut is "Unhealthy," Say Physicians

Dr. Bonney says, "There are 2 kinds of fat in our bodies there's the subcutaneous fat you can pinch and feel and there's visceral fat deeper fat that wraps around our abdominal organs. You may not even know you have visceral fat because you can't feel it or see it. We have seen patients with flat tummies that still have visceral fat. Neither type of fat is optimal; however, the bigger problem with visceral fat is that it raises your risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, high cholesterol among other disease processes.Visceral fat is more sinister because it makes inflammatory proteins that damage blood vessels as well as tissues and organs inside the body."

RELATED: Habits Secretly Increasing Your Abdominal Fat, Say Physicians

Since you can't see or touch visceral fat, most people don't know it's there. Dr. Bonney shares how you can measure it. "Sometimes it's evident by your waistline and BMI. If you see your waist size going up, your pants being too snug in the belly area, this is evidence that you are gaining visceral fat. We have noted many men especially who have large bellies above their waist who over time get used to that fat, but it is a major red flag and needs to be addressed. Since our focus is optimizing health, we do a deeper dive into looking for visceral fat. We check waist sizes, BMIs, and do body composition scans on our patients that help tell us if they have visceral fat."

RELATED: I'm a Virus Expert and if You Have This Symptom, Get Help

Dr. Bonney says, "Not getting enough exercise and physical inactivity leads to a significant increase in visceral fat. High amounts of exercise on the other hand, can lead to significant decreases in such fat, even in a short period of time. Eating foods high in trans fats which are found in dairy and meats as well as in processed and deep fried foods will raise visceral fat. Trans fats cause a redistribution of fat tissue into the abdomen and lead to a higher body weight, even when the total dietary calories are controlled. Other foods to avoid are sodas, processed baked goods, and foods sweetened with fructose."

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Melt Your Visceral Fat Fastest This Way, Say Experts Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Losing weight and shrinking excess belly fat can be a long and exhausting process to actually see results. But looking at a diet that keeps you full and satisfied, while also contributing to shedding some extra pounds sounds like the perfect place to start for long-term changes.

Including more protein in one's diet can foster weight loss in a number of ways. When combined with exercise, a high intake of protein helps build more lean muscle, and "lean muscle helps to burn more calories throughout the day," Medical News Today reports.

However, high protein foods can also "help with weight loss by decreasing hunger and promoting a sense of fullness," explains Brittany Dunn, MS, RDN, CD, who specializes in sports nutrition and has experience working with and educating athletes through Dunn Nutrition. High protein diets are extremely effective in weight loss, because "they preserve muscle mass and prevent decreased metabolism," she says.

A common misconception when it comes to high protein meals, is that many people want to overcompensate with the intention of losing more body fat, explains Dunn. Many people believe that "food sources of protein are not enough to contribute to a high protein meal plan and that supplementation is necessary," when in reality, "whole foods can provide enough and oftentimes, even more protein than expected," she says.

You should be eating "between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight" on a daily basis, if you're working towards overall weight loss, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

"Very few Americans consume inadequate amounts of protein," says Dunn. "However, if you do find yourself struggling to achieve enough protein in your diet, here are some tips: thicken sauces or soups with blended legumes (such as lentils) or [layer] tofu and sweet potato curry over steamed veggies."

To look into the nitty-gritty of what foods pack the best protein punch, here are six high-protein foods to help you reach your weight loss goals and shrink that waist! Then, for more weight loss tips, here are the Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians.

What may seem like an obvious choice, choosing specific meats as a source of protein in your diet can make all the difference when it comes to shedding fat. Lean meats in particularsuch as skinless chicken, turkey, pork loin, bison, white flesh fish, salmon, and shrimpwill contain a high level of protein with low calories, healthy fats, and more often than not, less processed ingredients compared to red meat, Medical News Today explains.

When prioritizing eating lean meats, you can "limit the amount of saturated fat [you] consume to less than 10% of calories per day," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

What does this mean in terms of weight loss? When you consume more high volume foods full of nutrients, like lean meat that are lower in calories (generally), you don't have to fill up on a larger portion to feel full and you will stay full for longer, explains Mayo Clinic.

Eating more fish like salmon and shrimp helps contribute sources of iodine and essential omega-3 fatty acids to filter good thyroid health and stable metabolism. Both of which support overall weight loss by helping keep overeating under control and also sustain fullness.

Another piece of the puzzle is how you cook your lean meats can help contribute to fat loss. To continue trimming excess weight, The Community Health Center (CHN) says "prepare your meat [by] grilling, broiling, or roasting to lower the amount of saturated fat."

If you love a classic Italian Wedding soup, Dunn recommends subbing in some turkey meatballs to give you a leaner protein power boost. You also could also spice up your shrimp with a shrimp fajita salad or curled up in a wrap, she says.

For more meat options to choose from, take a look at The Best Forms of Lean Protein You Can Eat

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A plant-based source of protein that you can throw into just about any meal for an extra boost chickpeas.

"Chickpeas are what's known as a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids," which play a key role in metabolism and body function, according to Cleveland Clinic. The high protein and fiber contents of chickpeas help to keep you fuller longer, which is important if you're trying to lose weight and maintain it.

Chickpeas are also a great choice because they are considered a legume, which has the nutrient value of high protein foods as well as vegetables, according to a review in Nutrients. The review also points out that the vast nutrients in chickpeas have major effects on losing weight by controlling the body's glucose and insulin responses. Both of which play their part in easing digestion and slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates, so you're full of energy while consuming a low-calorie food.

One way to incorporate chickpeas more into your diet is by adding a "legume based hummus on sandwiches and wraps," says Dunn.

Whole-grain foods are another group that has huge rewards in terms of protein. Quinoa for examplecan act as a carb-like substitute for rice or pastais considered a complete protein, which is made up of the nine of the essential amino acids your body needs. The plant-based protein source will easily fill you up and support your fat loss goals, by contributing to building more muscle and a strong metabolism.

Quercetin and kaempferol, the two flavonoid plant compounds in quinoa, also help with weight loss by protecting your gut cells and supporting strong metabolites. Having strong metabolites will help fuel your metabolism to function efficiently in turning food into energy versus the alternative (fat). But, be careful what you pair with this protein-packed food because combining quinoa with high calorie and fatty foods could hinder your fat loss journey more than support it.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a healthy carb with high protein content, especially when you're trying to lose fat. Black beans are a complex carbohydrate that is gluten-free and plant-based and sources both high levels of protein and healthy fiber. One study saw major weight loss results after including beans and legumes as a leading source of protein over the span of eight weeks.

The subjects of the study found they had lost significant body fat, reduced their waist circumference, and lowered their blood pressure and total cholesterol. Beansespecially black beanscan help lower the body's leptin levels, also known as the hormone that regulates the appetite. With a controlled appetite and a body full of healthy protein and fibers, you have a greater chance of losing more fat over time.

Dunn recommends filling up on a protein-packed burrito bowl with black beans, grilled chicken breast, grilled veggies, and salsa. Another meal to help implement more beans in your diet is our Vegetarian Black Bean Omelet Recipe.

Dairy products don't have the best reputation in supplementing a solid fat loss journey, but for many people consuming more dairy on a daily basis can potentially accelerate weight loss. Turning to fat-free milk, certain cheeses (such as cottage cheese), and low-fat Greek yogurt, can support your body's need for natural dairy-based nutrients (such as calcium) and a high source of protein.

The Journal of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity conducted research on participants in a reduced-calorie diet consuming three to four servings of dairy (in different types) a day, over the span of 24 weeks and many lost a great percentage of total body weight.

"It's clear from our research that the unique combination of essential nutrients in dairy foods has a powerful, positive impact on metabolism and weight loss," said lead researcher Dr. Michael Zemel, Ph.D., the director of the UT Nutrition Institute, in the journal review.

The study found that the calcium levels paired with the reasonable protein properties in dairy products contribute greatly to weight loss as they speed up the body's metabolism and improve natural energy storage.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Looking to sneak in extra protein? Try blending up a well-rounded smoothie with your choice of greek yogurt, low-fat milk (or a high protein non-dairy substitute), fruit, and veggies, Dunn says. If you're not a big smoothie fan, she also recommends topping Greek yogurt with seeds/nuts, nut butter, and hemp hearts.

Whey protein, in its original form, is mainly found in dairy products like milk and cheese. It's created during the curdling process of making milk and cheese and contains a total of eight protein groups and nine essential amino acids, explains Cleveland Clinic. The most important group of whey, in terms of fat loss, is the branched chain of amino acids (BCAA's)leucine, isoleucine, and valinewhich foster significant muscle growth.

It's highly recommended to consume whey protein for fat loss because it supplements more lean muscle throughout the body (similar to meat), which burns calories at a higher rate than body fat, says Dunn.

There's a reason why whey protein is one of the most commonly used and researched protein powders on the market. While protein powder isn't necessarily a food, it's great for on the go and can be blended or mixed into so many staple meals and drinks that are already part of your diet (plus, the wide variety of flavors can add even more taste to your food intake).

Here are The Healthiest Protein Powders for Weight Loss.

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6 High-Protein Foods That Shrink Belly Fat, Says Dietitian Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

In the hustle-bustle of everyday life, we tend to ignore the most important aspect of life- our health. Every year, April 7 is observed as World health day (WHD) to mark the founding of WHO in 1948. A sedentary lifestyle and habits such as overexposure to screens and consumption of carbohydrates can adversely affect our health. On the other hand, some exercise and a healthy diet go a long way.

On this World Health Day, CitySpidey talked to some residents from Delhi NCR to know about what they do to keep healthy-

Priya Agarwal,

a software engineer says, a resident of Cherry County, Coconut is one such elixir which can be considered a gift of God. I drink it regularly. What we do is what our children learn. Everyone knows that food and exercise are the best pair to make us fit and healthy, but in our present-day busy routine, we often do not find time, but we must take out time deliberately for exercising."

Shashi Bala,

resident of Nirala aspire and mom of two says, I start my mornings with cycling, a few other exercises and a healthy breakfast. I try to consume natural things instead of supplements. If you want to lose weight, follow the diet for weight loss or meet specific fitness goals. Sports can help wonders in maintaining good health."

Also read |Say hello to good health with these lifestyle habits

Vijay Malik (23) resident of Mahagun Puram, Ghaziabad is a gold medallist and two times trophy winner in the National game bodybuilding held in Meerut and Mr U.P in the bodybuilding championship by the BFSA federation. He says, I am a regular gym-goer, a workout freak and a highly active person. Being a video editor, I have a very tough schedule, still, I manage to take out time twice for my workout. Those who say that they don't have time, are the ones who are not dedicated towards their health.

Manish Kumar,

a resident of EcoVillage 1 says, To remain fit, I follow a strict plan of per day 50 km cycling ride with my companions every day. I wake at sharp 4.45 am and I am on-road cycling from 5 am to 7 am. I have never followed any diet plan but yes, our cycling is a rigorous task and in this, we increase our calcium intake."

Amit darshan,

a resident of Himalaya Pride says, There are five things that come to my mind when we talk about good health. One must always take a healthy diet. Exercising regularly is a must. Smoking and drinking should be limited. Weight should be controlled, and the consumption of alcohol should be limited. The key to a healthy life is happiness, I live happily and I keep my surroundings happy.

Amir Haider,

resident of sector 90 says, Sedentary lifestyle is the most unhealthy lifestyle, it leads to high blood pressure, heart diseases, obesity, diabetes and many other health issues. I believe in being active, by engaging myself in regular workouts and they are also a great stress buster. Many times, when I am not able to go to the gym, I prefer to take the stairs despite taking the lift."

He continues, I am observing Roza these days, still I am not skipping my gym. I keep fast and take fruits in the afternoon and evening open Roza in the office and still never skips gym.

Cdr. Narinder Mahajan,

a resident of Arun Vihar says, To lead a healthy life, I follow a very simple fundamental rule. No worries, No hurries and No curries. I am an ardent lover of everyday morning walks and also laughter yoga. One must never do fad diets. Everything should be eaten, but yes, in moderation. Every six months one must undergo all blood tests to ensure all the parameters. I had my bypass surgery 23 years back yet I am fit and fine today, it is all because I followed a healthy lifestyle."

Sanjeev Kumar,

resident of Assotech Windsor Court says, In the morning some Yoga and indoor exercise around 30 to 40 minutes. At night, I walk for around 4 to 5 km post-dinner. A good night's sleep is a must to stay healthy.

Tanushri Jha, a resident of Cherry County, Noida Extension says, The first step towards improving the health is identifying a bad habit. Everyone needs to set small goals, change the bad habit into good habits and by choosing healthy surroundings."

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World health day-residents from Delhi NCR share their fitness regime - CitySpidey.com

On World Health Day observed on April 7, actor Ravi Bhatia who rose to fame after he essayed the role of Salim in Ekta Kapoor's Jodha Akbar feels healthy diet plans and exercising is the best way to stay fit and healthy.He says, "Diets arent just for weight loss. While changing your diet can be one of the best ways to lose weight, it can also be a way to improving your habits, focusing on your health, and leading a more active lifestyle. I'm very conscious of what and how much I consume. Mostly I follow a healthy and oil free diet as it is has been considered the gold standard for nutrition, disease prevention, wellness, and longevity. This is based on its nutritional benefits and sustainability. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products and limits saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars and controls portion sizes."The actor, who has also featured in TV shows like Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Hamaari Beti Raaj Karegi, Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se, Ishq Subhan Allah among others, makes working out on daily basis a mandatory habit. He adds, "I enjoy working out daily. I also try my best to keep myself engaged in physical activities or playing sports whenever I'm free from my shoots or have a free schedules. This keeps me healthy. I feel there is no single type of exercise that can take care of all our needs. In fact, to get the most benefits from our routine, we will want a mix of activities during the course of a week. Each workout should also include a simple warm-up at the beginning and a cool-down at the end."

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#WorldHealthDay: Ravi Bhatia feels diet plans and exercising best way to live healthy - Times of India

ALTHOUGH we're getting better at recognising it, we are surrounded by diet culture. On social media, in magazines, on the TV, in the classroom and our everyday conversations - it's literally everywhere.

And children seem to be worrying about the way they look more and more. According to the Mental Health Foundation, a body image in childhood survey by Be Real found that 79 per cent of 11-16-year-olds say how they look is important to them, over half (52 per cent) often worry about how they look, and 35 per cent of 13-19-year-olds said their body image causes them to 'often' or 'always' worry.

So, what happens if your child asks if they can go on a diet, or start a food and exercise 'regime'? As much as we'd love them to know nothing about such things, there probably aren't many parents who haven't tried WW, Joe Wicks, fasting or some other diet or fitness fad in the hope of losing weight, being healthier or becoming fitter.

Children are like sponges, so every time you've voiced an unhappiness about your body or weight, felt fantastic after shedding some inches, or got grumpy about having to eat or cook in a certain way - they've soaked it all up.

So naturally, if they don't feel happy with their bodies, they're going to look to the tried and tested methods they've seen first-hand.

So, what exactly should we do when ugly weight, diet and body conversations crop up at home?

"If your aim is to raise a child with a long-term healthy relationship with food, who's in tune with their body, who has a positive body image and treats their body with respect and kindness - and treats other people with bodies that don't look or function like their own with the same respect and kindness - then the very worst thing you can do is to put them on a diet," says author and campaigner, Molly Forbes.

"There are many different factors which can influence a child's weight. But diet culture teaches us that our body weight is a behaviour, entirely within our own personal control, and that higher body weight is automatically unhealthy.

"This is perpetuated by many of the public health policies we're seeing at the moment."

LET'S TALK ABOUT EATING DISORDERS

Jumping from diets to eating disorders might sound extreme, but what starts off small can sometimes grow into a much bigger problem.

"Dieting can be dangerous for children who are still growing and developing, as they may not be getting adequate nutrition," says Martha Williams, UK eating disorder charity Beat's clinical advice coordinator.

"Sadly, dieting has become so normalised in today's society that some parents may believe they're doing the right thing by putting their child on one, but putting your child on a diet can increase their likelihood of developing an eating disorder.

"A lot of people we speak to tell us their eating disorder began with a diet that gradually got more restrictive over time, or that dieting negatively impacted the way they thought about food."

She adds: "Dieting tends to promote categorisation of foods into 'good' and 'bad', which can cause disordered eating habits.

"We also know that diets can lead to an increased preoccupation with food, which can make it hard to concentrate on other important things."

Intrusive thoughts about food, or increased cravings for foods that the diet doesn't 'allow' are also frequently experienced.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?

The most important thing any parent can do is give their child love. Adore every inch of them that's on the outside, as well as the inside.

"The very best thing you can do for your child's body image is to accept their body just as it is," advises Forbes.

"And then to really show your child that all bodies are good bodies - through representation (books are a great way to do this), conversations, and helping them to develop media literacy skills that allow them to think critically about some of the messages making them question their bodies, or making judgments of other people with bodies unlike their own.

"In the moments when a child might display body insecurity, or say they need to 'go on a diet', it's important to validate their emotions, rather than brushing it off.

"We all live in this high-pressure culture that makes it really challenging to accept our bodies as they are, so be honest with your kids about that, but let them know that while it might be hard to be friends with your body, it is possible.

"Body shame is not an inevitable part of life, however normalised it has become."

FIND OUT WHY

If a child tells you they want to be bigger, smaller or eat less, talk to them.

"It can help to try to get to the bottom of why a child is feeling this way - is there something else going on that may be bothering your child and making them seek control over food, that they may not have elsewhere, for example?" says Forbes.

"These are big things for parents to deal with alone, so my advice if anything like this comes up is to always seek professional help.

"Eating disorders are incredibly serious, and this could be a sign that your child is struggling, so seeking support is not something to put off."

Williams agrees, adding: "If a child is asking to go a diet, there may be underlying factors. We would encourage parents to approach these conversations sensitively and ask open-ended questions to establish the reasons for your child wanting to diet or increase their exercise levels.

"We also would recommend that parents be aware of the early signs of eating disorders."

SPOTTING THE SIGNS

People with an eating disorder often look perfectly 'normal' and weight isn't a reliable indicator. Beat says spotting the early warning signs involves looking out for changes in behaviour, such as social isolation, avoiding activities involving food or eating with others, difficulty concentrating, increased tiredness and irritability, low self-esteem and confidence, obsessive and/or rigid behaviour, perfectionism, increased amount of exercise, and disappearing to the toilet after meals.

The charity estimates that around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and all ages and backgrounds can be affected.

"Sadly, we have seen a rise in numbers of people suffering following the pandemic," notes Williams.

"There are lots of reasons for this - disruption of everyday routines, increased isolation, promotion of exercise during lockdown, and general anxiety about the pandemic.

"Due to increased numbers, services are currently struggling to meet the demand for those needing support and treatment."

So, if your child wants to go on a diet, shower them with love. Tell them they're perfect just as they are. Talk about diet culture and the unreal ways so-called 'ideal' bodies are presented. And teach them that everyone is different.

It is really, really hard to love your own body when we're bombarded with images and messages that tell us they're not good enough, but maybe you can learn how to do it together.

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Is it ever OK to put your child on a diet? - The Irish News

The National Cancer Institute recently awarded Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Public Health a new U01 cooperative agreement grant to support research into the impact of diet and exercise for women with ovarian cancer.

The National Cancer Institute recently awarded Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Public Health a new U01 cooperative agreement grant to support research into the impact of diet and exercise for women with ovarian cancer. Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH, the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology and Associate Dean of Research at the Yale School of Public Health, and Associate Director (Population Sciences) at Yale Cancer Center will lead the research project, Trial of Exercise and Lifestyle (TEAL) in Women with Ovarian Cancer. The grant funding will enable Dr. Irwin and colleagues to investigate ways to improve treatment outcomes via diet and exercise in women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with 90% of women diagnosed receiving chemotherapy. Timely and successful completion of chemotherapy is critical, as delayed or reduced chemotherapy dosage for ovarian cancer is associated with decreased survival; yet chemotherapy dose delays and dose reductions are common (~50% of ovarian cancer patients), with the primary reason for dose delays and reductions being chemotoxicity.

Tracy Crane, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Miami, is the co-principal investigator on the trial. Together, Drs. Irwin and Crane will work in collaboration with Yale Cancer Center members Elena Ratner, MD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Peter Schwartz, MD, John Slade Ely Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Brenda Cartmel, PhD, Senior Research Scientist in and Lecturer in Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases), Leah Ferrucci, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases), and Tara Sanft MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology), to execute the project plan.

The study will enroll 200 (100 non-Hispanic White and 100 Hispanic) women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and conduct a multi-site randomized trial over 18 weeks. The research teams hypothesis is that exercise and eating a healthy diet will improve chemotherapy toxicity and treatment adherence and efficacy, and in turn, improve ovarian cancer prognosis. Dietitians Maura Harrigan, MS, RDN, CSO and Courtney McGowan, RD, will be critical in helping with the diet intervention, and Linda Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CET, will assist with the exercise intervention.

Few studies have examined the role of lifestyle factors during cancer treatment and how lifestyle behaviors may improve treatment adherence, toxicity, and efficacy. We are hopeful that the results of this study will help to accelerate a paradigm shift where patients will routinely receive nutrition and exercise programming as standard of care in tandem with their cancer treatment, Dr. Irwin said. I look forward to launching the TEAL study with my colleagues in the coming months.

Originally posted here:
Yale Cancer Center and School of Public Health Receive Grant to Study Lifestyle Intervention in Women with Ovarian Cancer - OncLive

The prescription for wellness and being able to live an active and independent life is to keep moving.

Health is not just the absence of sickness, but it is an optimal balance of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Most times, being healthy is a choice. While it is true that some have larger obstacles such as family history of chronic disease or obesity, lingering effects from past illness, or an accident or injury that may cause long-term deficits, we can and should take control of our own health.

A healthy lifestyle is a proactive approach to taking control of your health in an effort to improve your quality of life. Whether you are recovering from an illness, an accident, or working toward prevention and maintenance of good health, understanding the role physical activity and other healthy habits play is important.

Research from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention suggests up to 80 percent of chronic disease cases can be prevented through healthy living. The CDC says we should strive to meet the following healthy-living factors:

Maintain a healthy weight: A BMI of less than 30 is considered healthy.

Refrain from tobacco use: Do not start smoking, and quit if you actively engage in tobacco use.

Be active: Get 30 minutes or more of moderate to intense exercise to equal at least 150 minutes a week.

Diet: Include fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources in your diet

Following this guidance can decrease risk for diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancers. Aside from prevention, exercise can also be used to rehab many illnesses, improve mental health, maintain weight, ease osteoporosis or arthritis, and much more. Exercise can also help those suffering from lingering effects of COVID-19 such as fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fast or pounding heartbeat, anxiety or depression, concentration, memory loss and joint discomfort.

As you begin to exercise, remember to start slow and monitor your progress while being aware of how the movement makes you feel. Start with a slow walk and gradually progress. Walking, biking and swimming are great ways to improve your cardiovascular condition and breathing. Once you feel comfortable with light to moderate exercise, more intense movement such as running, hiking or cardio classes might be appropriate.

Muscle strengthening exercises are also important. Sit to stands, squats, basic upper extremity movements and core conditioning is especially beneficial. Remember to stretch each muscle through its range of motion as this will ease joint discomfort and help improve general movement.

The Sam B. Cook Healthplex has a team of professionals that can help you get started in the right direction. Cardiac nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, athletic trainers and exercise specialists will work together to get you safely on your way to improved health through exercise and movement.

Whatever your reason, exercise is right for you! Think about it as insurance for good health.

Kay Benward is an exercise specialist and supervisor at the Sam B. Cook Healthplex Fitness Center in Jefferson City. She has been with Capital Region Medical Center for 30 years and inspired many people to lead healthy lives through exercise. She continues to teach classes and enjoys training the mature adult for balance, posture and functional strength, as well as educating her clients, staff and community on exercise as medicine.

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Get Moving: Exercise is insurance for good health - Jefferson City News Tribune

Sexual and reproductive health is a key component of our overall well-being but it is often a neglected and even taboo practice to discuss.

Maintaining good sexual health requires regular check-ups, exercise and evenoverall self-esteem and communication skills.

It is important to stay on top of your sexual health just as you would for other aspects of your health to ensure you are having safe and pleasurable experiences.

Here are three things to consider when you are assessing your sexual health:

Your sexual and reproductive health requires various types of attention throughout your life, such as:

You can find information, and resources and make an appointment to discuss the topics above at The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

A healthy diet and regular exercise are integral components of a healthy life. However, they also affect sexual health. This includes:

Another aspect of your overall sexual health is your ability to know, value and accept yourself. Both in and out of your sexual relationships. A negative self-image can affect ones sex life and often requires some improvement to help with ones overall perception of self and sexual experiences. This can often be improved through therapy, exercise, hobbies, a new job and other factors that could be affecting someones self-esteem.

However, another key component is communication. To have fulfilling experiences it is important to have open and honest communication with partners where each person feels that they can communicate their preferences, taste and boundaries.

Some couples and individuals that struggle with either of these issues and are not sure what resources to access can reach out to couples' therapists and sex coaches such as O Henry.

Continued here:
Prioritising sexual and reproductive health | Loop Trinidad & Tobago - Loop News Trinidad & Tobago

Jazzersize, the Theighmaster and Tybo have come and gone, but the exercise industry has a complicated and controversial history. And for women, a once exclusionary industry turned around to target them as prime customers.

Journalist Danielle Friedman explores the effects of changing exercise culture In her new book Lets Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise That Reshaped the World. She talked with Texas Standard about the era when boutique exercise was commercialized, and where the industry is headed from here. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below.

This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity:

Texas Standard: There are generations now that couldnt remember because they werent alive a time when being athletic or working out was seen as unladylike, maybe even unhealthy. Could you take us back a little to the issues of that time?

Danielle Friedman: Thats right. My book begins in the 1950s, which was a time of very strict gender norms in the post-World War II era. And during that time, for women, the idea of breaking a sweat, of lifting weights, of cultivating strength for strengths sake was really considered quite radical. There were also a whole lot of myths and fears about what vigorous, strenuous exercise would do to a womans body for example, that it could damage her reproductive organs, make her uterus fall out. That was a favorite belief, or even turn her into a man. Women were told they would grow a mustache if they exercised too hard. So all of these, social factors served to really keep women pretty sedentary.

When did this shift to a more contemporary perspective of womens physicality actually happen and who was behind it?

It was a gradual shift that first got underway in the late 1950s and 1960s, and then in the 1970s, it just took off. And it was really thanks to a kind of perfect storm of social and cultural shifts. There was the rise of the womens movement, which pretty explicitly encouraged women to defy the idea that they were the weaker sex and to cultivate strength. There was also an emerging body of medical research that debunked some of those myths that I mentioned, and that stated it was actually really beneficial for women to exercise aerobically and to strength-train, even. So those factors combined with general changes in the cultural perception of womens potential helped to fuel the rise of the womens fitness industry in the 1970s. There was also Title 9 in 1972, which we mostly talk about in the realms of high school and college sports, but that also had an impact on opportunities that were created for women to move.

Im fascinated by the way the commercialization of the workout industry led to some rather big changes. The title of your book, I would suspect, borrows from that Olivia Newton-John song, right? And if anyone remembers the video by any chance, whats hilarious Is that she is whipping a bunch of guys into shape, right?

Thats right. Thats right.

What was happening about that period? Were talking about late 70s, early 80s, when things are really tilting much more in the direction of women and athleticism.

Throughout the 1970s, thanks to some of those social and cultural changes, a new generation of female fitness evangelists began launching many of the fitness movements that laid the groundwork for the way that we work out today.

You mentioned Jazzercise. Jazzercise was huge. It was created in 1969, and by the early 1980s it was the countrys second fastest growing franchise, right behind Dominos Pizza.

The womens running boom took off in the 1970s, and another really key shift is that gyms became coed. Until the mid to late 70s, there were very few gyms that even existed for women or that let women in. But if they did, there would be special ladies days in the late 70s, early 80s, the kind of big health gym multiplex concept sprung up across the country and as gyms became coed, they also became social scenes and single scenes and fitness industry entrepreneurs realized there was there was potentially a lot of money in the scene.

A big part of this story and I think theres a show on Apple TV+ thats set in this era that touches on eating disorders and the role of the sort of exercise industry in perpetuating these issues, right?

Yes. That was sort of the central tension throughout my book and throughout this history is the way in which the rise of womens fitness has both liberated women and oppressed women because of the additional layers of body ideals and the additional pressures to look a certain way what those have sort of done to women. And so what I wanted to trace was how the beauty and diet industry and fitness industry became so intertwined. And theres a really long history there. Even in the early days in the 1950s and 60s. Some of the early womens fitness pioneers recognized that selling strength for strengths sake was never going to be accepted. So they sort of savvily recognized that if they sold fitness as a way to be more beautiful, more appealing to your partner, more feminine that that was a way to kind of get people on board. But it really unleashed a monster.

You take a look at the industry today. Where do we stand with momentum behind all of these changes? Has the industry, after booming, plateaued? Is it still continuing to grow? And what about issues of access?

Well, the industry is constantly evolving and it just sort of went through another paradigmatic shift, thanks to the pandemic, as brick and mortar studios had to shift to remote classes. But the shift that Im seeing that is the most encouraging right now is that I think were at the beginning of a shift where fitness is being sold more as a tool to cultivate mental health strength, overall well-being and less about changing our physical appearance. And again, I say that this is the very beginning of a change. But I spoke with many fitness industry leaders and professionals who talked about how some of the language they would use in class just five or 10 years ago focusing on changing your problem areas or getting ready for bikini season or anything thats kind of aesthetically focused they just they have completely stopped using that language. And I think whether its that the change is incremental and there might still be sort of an implicit message that youre there to shape your body. But we are we really are starting to see changes in the way that its marketed. And its very clear to me when I look at it in the larger arc of this history,

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The good, the bad and the groundbreaking: 'Lets Get Physical' explores the history women and exercise - Texas Standard