Monique Tello, MD, MPH

When it comes to physical activity and fitness, most of us could do more than we are doing, but the good news is that as long as you’re doing something, any amount of activity is beneficial, and more exercise is definitely associated with a lower risk of death.

Eat breakfast? Skip breakfast? Newer research fails to link eating breakfast with eating less or weight loss. So, will skipping breakfast shave off weight?

Researchers exploring the relationship between diabetes and fitness found that a person’s level of strength did not match up with diabetes risk as predictably as they had expected, but the way a test measures strength may make a difference in the results.

Researchers found that giving overweight mice a specific protein improved their metabolism, but point out that humans also produce this protein, and that exercise achieves the same result in people.

Maintaining a positive outlook on life can help protect people from heart disease. Scientists believe that by doing this, such people avoid the damage to the cardiovascular system brought about by stress.

A Mediterranean-style diet has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. In terms of healthy habits, it’s one of the best choices you can make, and adopting it into an everyday, real-life behavior is not as difficult as you might think.

While they share many risk factors, far more women are living with heart disease than with breast cancer. Exercise and a healthy diet can cut a woman’s risk for both.

Research has made it clear that eating a lot of red meat and processed meats increased the risk for heart disease and diabetes. A diet that is mainly plant-based is better for overall health, and it does not mean you have to give up meat entirely.

The epidemic of people with dementia is expected to get much worse in the coming decades, but understanding the connection between vascular health and cognitive health allows people the opportunity to adopt heart-healthy habits that can reduce their risk of dementia.

Behavioral programs (intensive diet and lifestyle change) work well for weight loss, but they are not common, and many are not covered by insurance. There are other options, such as creating your own program, joining a group, or using a smartphone app.