Beech Tree News Network

I fight an on-going battle trying to make healthy choices. Warm-weather months are easier. I don’t mind exercising in nice weather, and fresh foods are readily available. But, with cold weather around the corner, I’ve been looking for information to help me make healthy choices.

A newspaper article, “Study Shows It’s Gotten Harder to Lose Weight” (Sarah Kaplan, Daily News, October 4, 2015, 11C), discussed a recent study and the resulting hypotheses. The study showed that when comparing people between 1988 and 2006 with basically the same diet and exercise patterns, those born later were 5% heavier. In the U.S., some factors – other than diet and exercise – that could affect an adult’s weight include the following:
•    40% get less than 7 hours of sleep per night (Gallup, 2013)
•    20% feel more stressed than a quarter of a century ago (Carnegie Melon, 2012)
•    Exposure to certain kinds of chemicals that affect the endocrine system and metabolic processes (plastic packaging, pesticides, etc.)
•    Increased use of prescription drugs that affect weight, such as antidepressants, allergy medications, steroids, and pain medications
•    The microbiomes, tiny organisms in the gut that help process food, may have been affected by diet: we consume more meat and artificial sweeteners than 30 years ago.
More study is needed to understand how these factors affect weight. However, Jennifer Kuk, co-author of the scientific paper/research, said: “…If our research is correct, you need to eat even less and exercise even more” to weigh what your parents weighed at your age.

Technology can also play a role in improving our health. Two kinds of technology are popular. Fitness trackers are used to monitor a person’s physical activity, and apps are often used to track food. Many people buy a wearable activity tracker which allows them to monitor their every move. Examples include devices such as the Nike Fuelband, Jawbone Up, Fitbit, and Bodymedia Armband. Mark Krynsky (http://lifestreamblog.com/nike-fuelband-jawbone-up-fitbit-one-and-bodyme...) suggested that “…you want to choose a device that is most likely to positively impact your behavior.” I don’t have a fitness tracker, but a trusted friend recommended that I look into the Fitbit Fitbug orb (provides good information for the cost). Multiple apps to track food are also available. Weight Watchers has a good one, and many others are popular. I personally use MyFitnessPal and find it very helpful. The key to its helpfulness is using it. Among my friends and family, the use of fitness apps is common, while only a few use fitness trackers.

Finally, we should consider when to schedule a visit to our primary care physician. Most adults have at least one medical problem (such as asthma, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, a vitamin deficiency). Many have a prescription that should be monitored (such as blood pressure or thyroid medicine). And, healthy adults should visit their health care provider for health screenings and vaccinations (Flu shots are already available.). Ultimately, we want to feel better and live healthy lives. Through recent tests, I learned that my triglycerides and hemoglobin A1C were nearer to the normal ranges than previously. That was rewarding news!

Paul Walker said, “You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy. Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae,” and Joyce Meyer said, “I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_health.html). Many of us have health goals, and some may have made New Year’s resolutions related to health. As we enter the last quarter of 2015, let’s remember that health has a huge impact on happy.