- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: May 17,2011
Brits in Denial About Their Weight Fate
Overweight Brits are in denial about their weight and continue to eat an unhealthy diet despite health warnings about obesity, according to new research by weight loss aid alli*. One in five (20%) overweight people questioned in Britain said they have never tried to lose their excess weight at all. Overweight and obese people blamed their excessive weight on eating too much (54%), eating the wrong foods (49%) and snacking (46%).
The survey of 8,500 overweight and obese people across Europe coincides with the launch of European Obesity Day’s ‘Stop Yo Yo’ campaign on May 21st. Further results from the research revealed that almost half (45%) of British people with a BMI of 28-29.9 have been trying to lose weight for less than 6 months. Dubbed the ‘weight loss deniers’, they were also the least likely of those surveyed to have spoken to, or be planning to speak to, a healthcare professional about their weight.
Serial dieters (BMI 30+)
Results showed that as people’s BMI increases they become less likely to sustain their weight loss: 76% of British women in the BMI 30-35.9 group had lost weight but subsequently regained it, and this figure rose to 77% in the group with BMI 36+. By the time people find themselves in these higher BMI groups they have been stuck in an unsuccessful ‘weight loss trap’ for longer: 45% of people in the BMI group 36+ had been trying to lose weight for over 6 years. Read the rest of this entry »
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Saying you want to get healthier is one thing. But actually committing to it, following it through and changing your lifestyle for the better is something else entirely.
People too often find it difficult to stick with a new routine, but MYTRAK Health System Inc.’s revolutionary fitness device gives people a technological solution to help them stick to their fitness resolutions. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: May 13,2011
Social Security is a critical income source for elderly and disabled Latinos because of their socioeconomic condition, higher rates of disability and longer life expectancy, according to a report published by the University of Southern California (USC) Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging.
“Social Security is currently the only robust, reliable source of retirement income for low-income workers, underscoring the importance of ensuring the program’s viability for current, future and retired Latino workers,” said USC Roybal Institute Executive Director William A. Vega, who co-authored the primer, commissioned by AARP, with Pre-Doctoral Fellow Zachary D. Gassoumis.
Latinos represent a significant percentage of working-class laborers in sectors with fluctuating seasonal employment, where occupational injuries and disabilities are common, and where there are fewer opportunities to participate in a workplace savings program. Both working age and older Latinos have higher rates of disability than non-Latino whites. Accordingly, the primer said, increasing the retirement age for Social Security would impose a significant and disproportionate financial burden on Latinos who retire early due to work-related health issues.
Noting that Latinos’ average life expectancy exceeds that of Americans overall, the report highlighted the importance of ensuring benefits to qualified Latinos are not eroded over time by inflation and continue to allow families to meet their basic financial necessities. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: May 12,2011
Are workers trading doughnuts for carrot sticks? Some workers’ waistlines may continue to expand, but the good news is that more of them are finding ways to slim down. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 18 percent of workers report they’ve lost weight in their current jobs, compared to 16 percent who said the same last year. Forty-three percent of workers said they have gained weight in their current jobs, though, in line with findings from the last two years. The survey was conducted from February 21 through March 10, 2011 among more than 5,600 workers.
Less stressful work environments may be contributing to workers’ weight loss, as one-quarter (24 percent) of workers said stress has contributed to their weight gain, down from 32 percent last year. Other factors workers cite for contributing to weight gain in the office include:
- Sitting at a desk most of the day – 36 percent
- Eating out regularly – 16 percent
- Skipping meals because of time constraints – 13 percent
- Workplace celebrations (potlucks, birthdays, etc…) – 12 percent
“While many employees still struggle to lose weight, it’s encouraging to see that more workers are embracing healthier habits at the office,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “Most organizations are mindful of the higher costs, both to their bottom line and to their workers’ overall quality of life, that are associated with unhealthy behaviors. As a result, many workplaces are taking a more proactive role in their staff’s well-being by implementing programs and benefits that promote wellness.” Read the rest of this entry »