Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

Low-carb diets do not lead to bone loss, according to a new study from the University of Illinois. In fact, people on diets that emphasized meats and dairy products lost less bone mass than those on a diet based on the government's food pyramid, which emphasizes grains.

A research team from the University of Illinois and Penn State University randomly assigned 130 people to either a high- or low-carb diet, and then measured their bone density every four months for a year. The scientists believed the low-carb diet would cause loss of calcium through urination, but instead the high-carb group showed a decline in bone loss and the low-carb group remained stable.

This study appears in the Journal of Nutrition.

Labels: carbs, bone_density

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Concern over the health impacts of obesity is not new. But the focus is usually on issues like diabetes and heart disease. The most recent issue of Orthopedic Nursing turns its focus to obesity's effects on the musculoskeletal system.

"Pearson-Ceol's literature review (p. 289) on the effects of obesity on the knee joint reveal the increase of osteoarthritis in the knees of obese patients and believes that future nursing research is indicated for improving this problem. Looking at the problem of how obesity is related to the health of the hip& and to the spine& also reveals that increased weight impacts and affects other areas of the body."

Many who are dangerously obese turn to bariatric surgery (an operation that reduces the size of the stomach), but studies have shown that patients also lose bone density, which can be a dangerous trade-off.

Labels: health_risks, bone_density, weight_loss_surgery

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A new study from the Medical College of Georgia concluded that overweight youth who are at risk for diabetes are also more likely to have weak bones.

The research team studied 140 children ages seven to 11 years old and found that one in three had signs of diabetes. This group had 4 to 5% less bone mass, a measure of bone strength.

"While overweight children may have more bone mass than normal weight kids, it may not be as big or strong enough to compensate for their larger size," said lead author Dr. Norman Pollock.

The study appeared in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
 

Labels: health, diabetes, bone_density

Posted By: CRC Health 0 Comments