September is national Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

September has been proclaimed national Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, with President Obama asking Americans to "take action by learning about and engaging in activities that promote healthy eating and greater physical activity by all our nation's children."

The U.S. childhood obesity rate has tripled since the 1970s, with 1 in 3 American children now either overweight or obese. As such, experts say one third of "children born in 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime, with many others at risk of obesity-related illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma," reports Julian Pecquet of congressional newspaper The Hill.

Childhood obesity is especially prevalent in Kentucky. The state has the the seventh highest obesity rate nationwide and the fourth highest rate of childhood obesity. Reporters can find by-county obesity rates by clicking here, but by-county childhood obesity rates are not available because counties are collecting data in different ways and at different ages, Sarah Walsh of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky said recently.

While the problem is a big one, there are initiatives underway to tackle it, including first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move," which helps communities make healthy food and exercise choices. It also includes a partnership with grocery stores to increase food choices in areas that do not have easy access to healthy foods. (Read more)

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Free conference on Alzheimer's in Louisville Sept. 17

A Washington-based geriatric researcher will join University of Louisville researchers and clinicians a free conference examining Alzheimer’s disease from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane, near the state fairgrounds.

“The Journey: Alzheimer’s Disease and Caregiving” will provide information on the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, the reasons why certain populations are at greater risk for developing it, and current practices in caregiving. Admission, parking and lunch are free to participants at but pre-registration is required by Sept. 15 to info@alz.org or 1-800-272-3900.

Thomas Obisesan, M.D., chief of geriatrics at Howard University Hospital, will open the meeting. His research is focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and "disentangling the overlap of cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease risk," a U of L release says. The conference is supported with grants from Eisai Co. Ltd. and the Signature Research Institute. It is co-sponsored by the university and the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Distant energy healing

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The Courier-Journal, continuing to explore Louisville hospital merger, says many more questions still need answering

The proposed merger of the University of Louisville hospital with Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Healthcare and with St. Joseph Health System of Lexington, which follows the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, continues to draw heavy attention from The Courier-Journal. Sunday's newspaper had a long column by editorial writer Pam Platt, and an editorial that online was packaged with a video discussion among the editorial board and U of L President James Ramsey, David Laird of Jewish and St. Mary’s, Dr. Daniel Varga of St. Joseph and James Taylor, CEO of University Hospital.

"On many levels, the merger . . . is appealing," the editorial began, saying the new system would be broader and more efficient and secure the three Louisville hospitals as they compete with Baptist Hospital-East and Norton Healthcare, which recently announced an affiliation arrangement with the University of Kentucky" hospital. "Two significant issues continue to make the merger problematic, however." In addition to the issues of reproductive care, the editorial wonders whether advances in medical science that conflict with Catholic teaching could cause the merger to "unwind," as hospital officials put it, and what the ramifications of that would be. (Read more)

In her column, Platt, right, focused on the merger's impact on women, saying it remains unclear. For example, "The partners say transportation will be provided for pregnant women wanting tubal ligations, as well as for their infants. But what will be the process for them accessing that? What are the details? . . . Many of us need more answers to additional questions . . . before we know if this merger is the answer not only for the business end of things, but for all the people who depend on the hospitals for their care." The merger needs state approval to proceed. (Read more)

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At Nov. 11 conference in Lexington, Health Watch USA will focus on health-care transparency, patient advocacy

9:15 PM  conferences, hospital-acquired infections, hospitals  No comments

Health-care transparency and patient advocacy will be the focus at the 2011 Health Watch USA 2011 conference Nov. 11 in Lexington. Topics will include hospital-acquired infections and the importance of reporting them; the impact of transparency on an institution; barriers in the control of healthcare-acquired infections; and principles of transformational leadership will be among the topics discussed.

Speakers include Frances Griffin, a faculty member at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, will be one of the many conference speakers and will speak about the IHI global trigger tool. Dr. Keith Sinclair, medical director at Bluegrass Oakwood in Somerset, will speak of how transparency has almost eliminated pressure sores at his facility. Award-winning author Maryn McKenna will speak of the history of MRSA and Dr. John Santa from Consumers Union will speak of the principles of transparency.

The registration fee is $50. The conference, which runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., will be at Embassy Suites on Newtown Pike in Lexington. To register, click here.

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Teens who drink sugary beverages add 300 calories a day to their diet, national survey finds

9:11 PM  child obesity, obesity, soft drinks  No comments

American teens who drink pop, energy drinks like Red Bull and other sugar-based beverages like Gatorade are consuming an average of 327 calories a day, the equivalent of two and a half cans of cola, according to an analysis conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data also show half of Americans drink sugary drinks on any given day, reports Nanci Hellmich of USA Today. Teens and young adults are drinking more of them than any other age group. About 25 percent of people drink at least 200 calories from them. Another 5 percent of the population age 2 and older consume nearly 600 calories a day from these drinks.

"Sugar-sweetened beverages are the No. 1 single source of calories in the American diet and account for about half of all added sugars that people consume," said Rachel Johnson, spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. "These are empty calories with no health benefits," said Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

The findings stem from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which studies the eating and drinking habits of Americans. The results are from more than 17,000 in-person interviews about dietary habits conducted from 2005 to 2008. Added calories can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. (Read more)

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Catered Paleo Dinner with Yours Truly

4:21 PM    No comments

Gil Butler, organizer of the Western Washington Paleo Enthusiasts group, has organized a catered "paleo" dinner on Sunday, October 9th.  He will be screening the first episode of "Primal Chef", Featuring Robb Wolf and others.  He invited me to give a short (20 minute) presentation, which I accepted.  There are still roughly 30 spots remaining [update 9/21-- the event is full].

The event will be in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle and the price is $15.76 per person.  I will not be paid for this talk, it's just an opportunity to share ideas and meet people. 

Click here to register.

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