Obesity Archive

Men are less likely than women to get regular exams and tests, especially when they are younger. But as they age, routine screenings are essential. There are certain tests most men should have at some point, including ones for colon cancer, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, diabetes, and HIV. Other tests men should consider if they are at high risk for specific ailments, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, hepatitis B, and lung cancer.

A study published online Oct. 4, 2021, by the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that about 46,000 U.S. cancer cases per year can be attributed to getting less than 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

According to a new recommendation from the US Preventive Services Task force, diabetes screening should begin age 35 for people who are overweight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater.

Exercise may help to reverse some types of heart damage. Not only can workouts prevent heart problems, but it may help to improve conditions that may raise risk for cardiovascular events. A 2021 study, for example, showed that a yearlong exercise program helped improve heart health in people who were at increased risk for heart failure.

Treating people who have low levels of vitamin D with supplements may reduce their risk for heart attacks and death from any cause.

Reducing added sugar in sweetened beverages and packaged foods may help reduce obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in the United States, which could lead to substantial health care cost savings. Most of the added sugar in the typical American diet comes from sugary beverages, which add extra calories that have no nutritional advantages and may contribute to weight gain. Replacing sugar with artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners is one popular option, but it's not clear that eating such products offers any health advantages. A better option would be to substitute fresh, whole foods such as fruit for processed junk food and to drink sparkling water with a splash of juice instead of a soda.

Low-carbohydrate diets have been popular for many years, but due to the high amounts of saturated fat, doctors and nutritionists worry about possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study comparing three diets found that eating a high-fat diet did not necessarily raise heart risk, but the types and quantities of food make a difference.