Several Factors – Not Just Willpower – Account For Lapses When Dieting

A small, week-long study among dieters has found that late night cravings, alcohol use and friends contribute significantly to a drop in willpower and self-control. For the study, 80 people who were dieting were given mobile phones to use as an electronic diary. Researchers found that participants gave in to food temptations just over 50 percent of the time, and were especially vulnerable at night. They were more likely to give in to alcoholic temptations than to eat a sugary snack or to overindulge. And they were often influenced by the presence of others, regardless of whether a dietary temptation was unexpected or whether the dieter went looking for something to eat.

"An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Lapse Occurrences in Dieters. ", Annals of Behavioral Medicine, February 24, 2014

Teens Exchange Water For Sugary Sodas In Successful Test Project

A 30-day test program that encouraged high schoolers in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio to drink fewer sugary drinks and more water has succeeded, according to the program’s developer.  Dubbed “Sodabriety”, the program was presented as a challenge to teens in the region, where the  average number of sugared drinks was 2.5 servings a day over an average of four days a week. The teens – who had no idea about the high calorie content of sugared beverages – were particularly fond of oversized drinks. But during the program, which was monitored by teens themselves, rather than teachers or other adults, the average daily number of sugary drinks dropped  to 1.3, and the number of days dropped to two a week. Water consumption increased nearly 30 percent.

"Piloting “Sodabriety”: A School-Based Intervention to Impact Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Rural Appalachian High Schools", Journal of School Health, February 20, 2014

Obese Patients Who Feel Judged Negatively By Physicians Have A Harder Time Losing Weight

The perception by obese patients that their primary care physician had passed judgment on their size led to less effective weight loss efforts, a Johns Hopkins University study has found. The study involved a national Internet-based survey of 600 obese adults who regularly saw their primary care doctors. Asked if their doctor ever judged them because of their weight, 21 percent believed they had. Ninety-six percent of those who felt judged said they tried to lose weight, compared to 84 percent who did not. Fourteen percent of those who felt judged lost 10 percent or more of their body weight, though 20 percent of those who did not feel judged lost a similar amount.

"Perceived judgment about weight can negatively influence weight loss: A cross-sectional study of overweight and obese patients", Preventive Medicine, February 18, 2014

Deadly Form Of Stroke Is Linked To Deficiency In Vitamin C

A French study of 65 stroke victims found that, compared to healthy people, forty-one percent had normal levels of vitamin C in their blood and the rest –  59 percent – had either depleted or deficient levels. The researchers said vitamin C deficiency should be considered a risk factor for the severe, often deadly, type of stroke known as hemorrhagic, where a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Other risk factors included overweight, high blood pressure and drinking alcohol. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables: oranges, papaya, peppers, broccoli, strawberries, etc.

"Can citrus ward off your risk of stroke?", Presentation, American Academy of Neurology's upcoming annual meeting, February 14, 2014

Healthful Habits Acquired Early In Adulthood Pay Big Dividends Later In Life

A study that followed 495 German men and women over 18 years concluded that acquiring healthful habits early in adulthood is a major determinant of how healthy one is later in life. The researchers randomly selected the group, average age of 45, beginning in 1992. They were then monitored every five years until 2002, then finally in 2010.  The analysis of the data collected over these intervals revealed that stress management strategies, as well as nutrition and physical exercise habits, influenced physical fitness and health in 1992. And those initial nutrition and physical exercise habits affected the fitness of participants over the following 18 years.

"Does initial behavior predict our physical fitness and health 18 years later? ", Psychology of Sport and Exercise, February 12, 2014

Goodbye Quick Energy Boosts, Hello “Sustainable Food Energy”

Because of increased stress and demands of work and family, Americans are apparently more tired than in the past. But – food companies are acutely aware of this – Americans are turning away from energy drinks that provide a quick “one and done” jump-start. Instead they want foods that provide “sustainable energy”, specifically from protein and fiber content. With that fact in mind food products from cereal to snacks – and yes, even dog food – are being marketed as energy sources that keep you “full and fueled” for longer periods of time. An example is Post Foods, whose new line of Honey Bunches of Oats breakfast cereals is branded as "Morning Energy" – loaded  with whole grain, protein and fiber.

"Food Brands Try to Wake Up Sales With New 'Energy' Appeals", Advertising Age, February 10, 2014