Medical Facts...and Fiction

The goal of this section is to define the problem, the epidemic of obesity in this country in adults and in children. Data in this section are designed for the health care professions as well as for the public, with relevant references. In this regard, we will not re-invent the wheel, but will access all useful sources already published...invoking the "Fair Use Doctrine" for this educational effort when actual citations are not given. Of course, with over 50 years of clinical experience represented among the professional complement of this family enterprise, in addition to the experience of guest contributors, we will often express our own insights and opinions.

GS

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More Tidbits!

February 16, 2008

  • Surprise, Surprise: Menopause is associated with an increase in weight, mainly due to the deposition of unhealthy abdominal (visceral) fat.  But it may be possible in the future to take selective hormone replacement that avoids this.
  • Another "surprise": Obesity is multi-factorial.  We  may even have "caught it"!  Some viruses (notably Adenovirus 36) can cause stem cells in fat to develop into adipocytes rather than into other types of cells.  So there!
  • Men get osteoporosis, too.  25% of men, compared with 50% of women, get related fractures with aging.  So, remember calcium, vitamin D, exercise, and the possible adverse effects of some medications.
  • Better than the Body Mass Index, waist/to/hip ratio is directly related to mortality.
  • New mothers in the post-partem period who lose substantial sleep (5 or fewer hours nightly) will have more trouble with weight gain even up to a year later.   So, get those new fathers up, too. 

    • GS


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