Low-Calorie/Low-Fat Bulletin
3
C O M M E N T A R Y
NIH TO STUDY ATKINS DIET
The National Institutes of Health is planning to conduct a five-year
study on the Atkins Diet. The study will be carried out by Gary D.
Foster of the University of Pennsylvania (who will serve as the main
investigator), James O. Hill of the University of Colorado's Center for
Human Nutrition and Dr. Samuel Klein of Washington University's
Center for Human Nutrition in St. Louis. The study will attempt to
answer questions regarding the diet's effect on long-term weight loss,
cardiovascular health and overall wellness.
EXTRA POUNDS INCREASE HEART FAILURE RISK
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine
finds that being just a few pounds overweight can increase a person's
risk for developing heart failure. Although previous studies have shown
that obese people have an increased risk of heart failure, whether or
not this was true for overweight people was uncertain. The researchers
studied almost 6,000 men and women and found that the risk of heart
failure is double in people who are obese and 34 percent higher in
those who are overweight, when compared with their normal weight
peers. After reviewing data from the Framingham Heart Study, the
researchers found that for each increment above the normal Body
Mass Index (BMI), heart failure risk increased five percent in men and
seven percent in women. Researchers also found that approximately
11 percent of the heart failure cases in men and 14 percent in women
were due solely to obesity.
MANY AMERICANS NOT AWARE OF CANCER AND
OBESITY LINK
According to a recent study by the American Institute of Cancer
Research (AICR), only one is four American adults are aware that obe-
sity and excess weight raise the risk of developing various types of can-
cer. Over 1,000 people were interviewed for the survey regarding the
influence of overweight and obesity on chronic disease. The survey
found that almost 90 percent of those surveyed recognized heart dis-
ease and diabetes as being affected by being overweight or obese.
However, only 25 percent recognized the link between being
overweight and cancer. Additionally, when asked to name risk factors
for cancer, only six percent said being overweight, while almost 20
percent mentioned high-fat diets. Melanie Polk, director of nutrition
education for AICR, noted, "The bottom line message is there are
things we can do to cut down on cancer." She added that reducing
portion sizes, exercising and eating more fruits and vegetables can
make a difference. Additionally, many studies have shown that limiting
weight gain can help reduce the risk of developing breast, colon, kid-
ney, endometrial and esophageal cancer. In the U.S., approximately 65
percent of adults are overweight.
LOW-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS MAY HELP REDUCE THE RISK
OF CANCER
A recent study published in the
journal of Nutrition and Cancer
reveals that consuming low-fat dairy
products may help reduce the risk
of developing colon cancer.
Researchers studied two groups of
people who were prone to develop-
ing precancerous colorectal polyps.
The researchers found that those
who consumed additional servings of low-fat dairy products were bet-
ter off than those who were given calcium supplements.
EXERCISE GUIDELINES UPDATED
If consumers were concerned that they weren't getting the
recommended 30 minutes a day of physical activity (recommended by
the Surgeon General), they may have reason to be even more
concerned now. The recommendations for exercise have just been
increased by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine
(IOM). The IOM is
recommending that
consumers get at least
one hour of moderate
physical activity each
day for good health.
However, the news
may not be as bad as it
seems for some.
Health professionals
say that you can break
up that one hour into
10 and 15 minute
increments. Increasing
your physical activity
should not be an all or
nothing goal, note
health experts. In fact, there are many ways that you can easily fit
more activity into your day. If you're currently doing the recommended
30 minutes per day, then try adding five minutes to your next workout.
After a few weeks you can add another five minutes. If you're short on
time, think creatively, suggest health experts. Walk to your colleague's
desk rather than phoning or sending an email. Take the stairs rather
than the escalator or elevator or park farther from the mall entrance
or grocery store.
