BU Now » obesity

From Joan Salge Blake:

Lauren Davalla — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:34:53 +0000

Americans at LARGE

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently took the vital signs of Americans and declared that more needs to be done to combat obesity. Currently, 68% of Americans are either overweight or obese. Excess body fat increases your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, and diabetes — all major killers of Americans.

Correctly, the CDC has identified that there isn’t a single, simple solution to this problem, but rather, it has to be a team effort of the states, communities, and personal changes to trim down America. States can bring more local, waist-friendly fruits and vegetables to schools and the workplace. Communities can support and maintain safe outdoor spaces such as playgrounds and bike paths to encourage physical activity. On a personal level, the time has come for all of us to consider a diet and lifestyle makeover.

Taking gradual and realistic steps to change your diet and lifestyle is less overwhelming and more likely to be successful. To help you, try these 52 Small Steps to Losing Weight. Changes can be made……one small step at a time.

The escalating costs of treating obesity

Ron Rosenberg — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:00:22 +0000

Medical spending for an obese person averages $1,400 more a year than an individual of normal weight – a health-related expenditure that has doubled from nearly a decade ago and includes treating diabetes, heart disease and other ailments found in those overweight, according to a recent study. Caroline Apovian, MD, Boston Medical Center Director of Clinical Research at the Obesity Research Center, can discuss ways of changing behavior and health outcomes to reduce obesity.

Contact Caroline Apovian, 617-414-1816, apovian@bu.edu

Hospitalizations of obese kids and teens nearly doubles

Ron Rosenberg — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:11:26 +0000

Obese children hospitalized for such related conditions as asthma, diabetes, gallbladder disease, pneumonia and mental disorders soared dramatically, both in patient numbers and total costs. The published study prompted Caroline Apovian, MD, Boston Medical Center director of the Obesity Research Center, to call for a national health plan effort “to stave off a curtailed healthy future for our kids.”

Except for Colorado and Mass., obesity among adults and baby boomers rising

Ron Rosenberg — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:07:56 +0000

In the nation’s annual obesity rankings, 23 states reported higher adult obesity rates over the past year with concerns about Medicare’s higher costs to treat fat baby boomers. Colorado had the lowest rate of obese adults followed by Massachusetts and Connecticut. Caroline Apovian,MD, Director of Nutrition and Weight Management at Boston Medical Center, can discuss the issues and what to do about them.

Contact Caroline Apovian, 617-414-1816, apovian@bu.edu

U.S. recession undermines kid’s health

Ron Rosenberg — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:26:27 +0000

Caroline Apovian, M.D., BU School of Medicine associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, can discuss how tough economic times are having an impact on children as struggling parents turn to cheap fast food to feed their families.

Contact Dr. Caroline Apovian, 617-414-1816, capovian@bu.edu