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Tag: Weight loss

  • Medicare covers diabetes prevention program

    Medicare covers diabetes prevention program

    More than 29 million Americans, including almost 12 million older adults, have type 2 diabetes. That’s almost 10 percent of adults in the United States and more than 25 percent of adults over 65. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the nation. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved Medicare coverage of a proven diabetes prevention program. The benefit is designed to help educate people on best practices for avoiding type 2 diabetes.

    More than one in three people with Medicare–23 million–have pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Most people are unaware they are pre-diabetic, putting them at higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. They have high blood-sugar levels. More than seven million of them are projected to develop diabetes in the next five years without changes in their levels of activity and eating habits. Moreover, diabetes can cause blindness, amputation and kidney disease.

    Through behavior modification, diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Medicare’s diabetes prevention program relies on trained coaches to help adults likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with lifestyle modifications. The program focuses on exercise and healthy eating as well as behavior changes to help people lose weight. Medicare offers it for free as a one-time benefit for eligible individuals.

    All people with pre-diabetes blood-sugar levels are eligible for this Medicare benefit, so long as they have never been diagnosed with diabetes. You must also have a body-mass index of 25 or higher, or 23 or higher if you are Asian.

    The diabetes prevention program benefit involves 16 intensive small group sessions over six months. It also involves up to twice monthly meetings for another six months to help ensure maintenance of healthy behaviors. During this time, you must track your weight and keep a record of what you eat and your physical activity.  The program aims to help participants get at least two and a half hours of exercise each week and to lose five percent of their body weight. For participants who meet the weight-loss goal and attend classes, Medicare pays for a second year of classes to reinforce key principles.

    The CDC rolled out the program four years ago, and it is now offered by several hundred organizations throughout the country, including some YMCAs and senior centers. A study of the diabetes prevention program showed that it reduced the odds of adults getting diabetes by 58 percent. And, it reduced the odds of adults over 60 getting diabetes by 71 percent.

    To date, tens of thousands of Americans have participated in the program, just a small percentage of the millions who could benefit. The cost of $400-$500 a participant is prohibitive for many.

    Now that Medicare covers the cost for people with traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, the hope is that millions more will participate. Medicare should save money on everyone who enrolls. The health care savings for each enrollee who avoids getting diabetes is projected to be $7,300. Medicare also covers diabetes screening tests, self-management training (DSMT), medical nutrition therapy (MNT), glaucoma screening and diabetic supplies.

    Note: Because community groups are new Medicare contractors, it may take a little time for a program to be available in your community.

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    Take this risk test to see if you have pre-diabetes.

  • Reduce your risk of heart disease. Exercise!

    Reduce your risk of heart disease. Exercise!

    To reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, just as with reducing your risk of stroke, the best thing you can do is exercise. Indeed, the more you exercise, the more likely you are to prolong your life.

    The New York Times reports on a study, published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, for which researchers in Norway followed 3,307 people with coronary heart disease over an average of 16 years. During that time, more than 40 percent of them died. People, who exercised for 150 minutes each week, reduced their risk of death by 19 percent.  Those who exercised more reduced their risk by 36 percent.

    In this observational study, weight loss did not contribute to longer life for people of normal weight. Indeed, people of normal weight who decreased their body mass index by more than .10 had a 30 percent greater chance of dying. They did not increase their risk of dying if they gained weight. The lead author explained that because the study was observational, it could be that the normal weight individuals who lost weight were more likely to die because they were in poorer health than others.

    For people who are overweight, exercise is more important than losing weight, but losing weight is good! If you’re looking for help losing weight, you should know that Medicare covers weight-loss counseling. It also covers nutrition counseling.

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  • To curb obesity, Chile makes it harder to buy junk food—psychologically, financially and practically

    To curb obesity, Chile makes it harder to buy junk food—psychologically, financially and practically

    To curb obesity, in 2016 Chile made it harder to buy junk food—psychologically, financially and practically, reports Andrew Jacobs for The New York Times. Chile has restricted advertising for some high-calorie foods targeted at kids, forced manufacturers to add warning labels to their junk food products, and imposed taxes on unhealthy foods.

    The Chilean government’s laws are designed to promote better health and longer life by reducing the prevalence of obesity in the country. To reduce the appeal of unhealthy kids’ foods, Chile has banned Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger, Cheetos’ Chester Cheetah and Kinder Surprise. In addition, ice cream, soda and potato chips are not allowed to be sold in schools.

    Moreover, manufacturers cannot advertise their unhealthy foods on television shows or websites aimed at young people. And, beginning in 2019, ads will not be allowed at all on television, on radio or in movie theaters between six a.m. and ten p.m.

    The Chilean government also wants to encourage pregnant women to breastfeed their kids. So, it is banning advertising of infant formula beginning this year.

    Plenty of unhealthy food is still available for sale in Chile, but there may be as much as an 18 percent tax tacked onto the price. The tax on Coca Cola is 18 percent. On top of the tax, manufacturers of foods high in salt, sugar, calories or saturated fat must show a big black stop sign on their packaging.

    What’s most reassuring is that Chile was able to pass legislation of this kind notwithstanding the enormous opposition from the food and soda industries. That said, the biggest companies are suing the Chilean government, claiming that it is “infringing on their intellectual property.” The question is whether Chile will prevail and whether the U.S. and other countries will follow in its footsteps.

    It’s not likely that the Trump administration will be regulating the sale of junk food, even though evidence suggests that even a small tax can make a big difference in promoting the public health. People with Medicare who are looking for help losing weight should take advantage of Medicare’s weight-loss counseling benefit as well as its nutrition-counseling benefit.

    Virtually every country in the world is seeing their populations become increasingly obese. The World Health Organization reports that the prevalence of obesity has increased three-fold since 1975. Today, about 13 percent of the world’s adult population (650 million) is obese. Obesity increases the likelihood of  premature death. No other country has taken as comprehensive measures as Chile.

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  • Bladder control tips for men

    Bladder control tips for men

    It’s a fact that as men age, the prostate enlarges, and that causes frequent, sometimes painful urination. But you don’t have to reach for a pill or submit to surgery. Small behavior changes can help you cope with — and maybe minimize — the amount of peeing.

    I scoured the web to find easy tips for men who find themselves in the bathroom too often. I can’t vouch for the effectiveness of any of these tips as I don’t have a prostate (being female and all that). But they seem logical, noninvasive and a good place to start.

    Warning: Check with your doctor to make sure that your frequent urination is caused by an enlarged prostate, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Sometimes this can be a symptom of a more serious condition.

    Near Universal Recommendations
    The Mayo Clinic offers this list, which is common to many great resources:

    • Limit beverages (especially caffeine and alcohol) for at least an hour before bed.
    • Don’t wait — go when you need to. The discomfort will only get worse.
    • Exercise and lose weight if you need to. Obesity is tied to BPH. Exercise keeps all of your muscles fit and your organs working better.
    • Urinate, and then urinate again a few moments later. The Mayo Clinic recommends this practice, which is known as double voiding.

    Avoid Certain OTC Meds
    Avoid over-the-counter cold or allergy drugs and sleep aids that contain antihistamines or decongestants as these may worsen symptoms, according to Berkeley Wellness. Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist.

    Schedule Bathroom Visits
    Urinating at regular times — such as every 4 to 6 hours during the day — may help to “retrain” the bladder. This can be especially useful if you have severe frequency and urgency.

    If you cannot empty your bladder, try sitting when you urinate rather than standing. Running the water in the sink may help.

    Keep Warm
    Colder temperatures can cause urine retention and increase the urgency to urinate.

    Strengthen Pelvic Muscles
    Kegel exercises can help you strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor that support your bladder and urethra, thereby helping to prevent or reduce the symptoms of incontinence. The Mayo Clinic has a how-to guide to Kegel exercises for men.

    This post was excerpted and republished from Medshadow.org

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  • How to maintain your weight? Exercise can help

    How to maintain your weight? Exercise can help

    If you’re wondering how best to maintain your weight, a recent study suggests that exercise can help. The study looked at a small group of extremely overweight people who had lost a lot of weight and were able to keep some, but not all, of that weight off through exercise. That said, more than 25 genes can contribute to weight gain–everyone is different–so there is no single answer to keeping the weight off.

    Gina Kolata at The New York Times, reports on the very small study, published in the journal Obesity, of people who lost a lot of weight–and managed to keep a good amount of their weight off not only for months but for six years. These people were able to keep their weight down through a daily exercise regimen. As you might expect, they exercised far more than is generally recommended.

    The 14 participants in the study–all of whom were on the TV show the Biggest Loser–either engaged in strenuous physical exercise for 35 minutes daily or moderate exercise for 80 minutes a day. This extra physical activity helped to offset the slowing down of their metabolisms from losing weight.

    The Centers for Disease Control recommends only 20-25 minutes of moderate exercise a day, (25 percent of the exercise conducted by the study participants) or 10-11 minutes a day of vigorous exercise a day (about 33 percent of the exercise conducted by the study participants.)

    To be sure, any amount of physical activity is generally good for your health. And, for most people, there is nothing better than moving your muscles and getting your heart rate up for a sustained amount of time every day. That said, physical activity is not the only answer to maintaining a good weight. It depends on your body and, if you’re overweight, what is triggering your obesity. By one expert’s count there at least 59 different types of obesity.

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  • Taking statins may increase risk of diabetes for some

    Taking statins may increase risk of diabetes for some

    People who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes may increase that risk by taking a statin medication over the long term.

    Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications, though they are also given to people thought to be susceptible to diabetes to help head off cardiovascular disease and to lower levels of fat in the bloodstream.

    Researchers conducted a long-term follow-up study that looked at more than 3,200 patients who took part in the US Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS). That study examined whether weight loss through changes in lifestyle or taking the diabetes medication metformin could delay or lower the development of diabetes in high-risk individuals.

    At the start of DPPOS, about 4% of participants were taking a statin. But after 10 years, nearly one-third of patients in the study were taking the drugs. The most commonly prescribed statins were Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).

    Taking a statin was associated with a higher risk of later being diagnosed with diabetes, no matter which treatment group patients had been in the study, the researchers reported in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. Those taking a statin had a 30% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those who were not on the medication.

    As to why statins may increase diabetes risk, the study authors point to other research that indicates statins may impair the body’s production of insulin, which is used to regulate blood sugar.

    They add that doctors and patients should weigh the moderate diabetes risk statins may have with the cardiovascular benefits, such as a reduction in heart attack and stroke risk, that statins also provide.

    This post was first published in www.medshadow.org.

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  • To lose weight, try eating dinner at lunch

    To lose weight, try eating dinner at lunch

    A 2016 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports on results of a randomized clinical trial of healthy overweight women enrolled in a weight-loss program. The trial found that eating a large meal midday and a light meal in the evening helped them lose more weight. What you eat matters, of course; but to lose weight, try eating dinner, your bigger meal, at lunch.

    The researchers studied 69 participants taking part in a comprehensive diet plan over a 12-week period, with about half eating a large meal at dinner and a light meal at lunch and the other half eating a large meal at lunch and a light meal at dinner. The group that ate their large meal at lunch lost significantly more weight than the group that ate their large meal at dinner. The researchers concluded that people who have “higher energy intake”–consume more calories–for lunch than at dinner may see beneficial effects in terms of weight loss.

    The data from an earlier study show that eating more calories at lunch than at dinner is associated with reduced risk of becoming overweight. Relatedly, eating fewer calories at dinner is associated with greater risk of becoming overweight. Another study shows that skipping breakfast could also help you lose weight.

    In addition to how much you eat at different times of the day, what you eat also can affect your metabolism and your weight. Good nutrition is important, with many studies making the case for a Mediterranean diet. How often you eat also can affect your weight.

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  • 5 Ways Late-Life Divorce Can Affect Your Health — and What to Do About It

    5 Ways Late-Life Divorce Can Affect Your Health — and What to Do About It

    Years of research indicate that a lifestyle of companionship yields more positive health benefits, but those divorcing late in life are not bound by the risks of solitude — if they put forth the energy, that is. Active efforts to maintain health in the face of a divorce can curb the negative impacts of abrupt lifestyle transitions. If you’re currently in the process of ending a marriage or are divorced, check out the potential ways that divorce can affect your health — be sure to talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about any concerns.

    ● Chronic Health: The risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer increase for divorced and widowed people by 20 percent, according to a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Attending annual physicals and check-ups for existing chronic conditions can help mitigate this risk. Make sure you talk to your medical provider about your health concerns, and stay away from lifestyle choices that can contribute to chronic conditions, like smoking, excessive drinking and eating sugary foods.

    ● Mental health: Starting a new chapter of life on your own can yield uncertainty, which undoubtedly leads to anxiety for many older adults. Navigating major transitions that occur after a divorce — finding a new living space, establishing new financial patterns — can create a lot of stress when adjusting quickly between two very different lifestyles. Seeing a counselor regularly can help you manage changes in your mental health, practice mindfulness and establish a routine of self-care.

    ● Weight management: Though weight fluctuation often occurs after any major transition in life, changes in weight often come after a divorce for several reasons. For one, shifts in appetite are closely linked to mental health changes, and can result in significant weight fluctuation. Furthermore, married adults are more likely to eat meals together, which keep diets regular and well-rounded. Sharing meals with a companion after divorce is an easy way to exercise self-care and consistency — both of which affect metabolism. Keep in mind that Medicare covers weight-loss counseling.

    ● Fitness routine: Many older adults also rely on their spouse as an exercise buddy, so a parting of ways can leave one at a loss for a fitness partner. Looking into community circles for single adults is a quick way to find a friend with similar exercise interests, or even a group class at a local gym.

    ● Social engagement: Beyond just having a fitness buddy, it’s important to make sure you still find companionship for your day-to- day activities. Seek out people who enjoy the same hobbies as you, like gardening, traveling, or playing sports. Whether it’s a caregiver, family member or friend, spending quality time with others is a pivotal aspect of self-care, and should be treated as a primary aspect of maintaining health.

    While these aren’t all the ways that mid or late-life divorce can affect your health, they encompass a starting point for older adults who want to ease their transition out of a marriage. Everyone’s experience is unique, so it’s important to discuss any health or lifestyle-related choices made with a medical provider or caregiver.

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  • Weight management tips for older adults

    Weight management tips for older adults

    Obesity is a high-risk health issue in the United States and is associated with intensifying the impacts of chronic disease in old age. And, more than three in ten older adults are obese. Despite the unique implications of the obesity paradox, it’s important for older adults to actively manage their weight. Below are good practices to follow. The best strategy may be to start by talking to a health care practitioner.

    The CDC reports that losing 5-10 percent of body weight can have benefits for individuals who have been prescribed weight loss. Blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels are likely to improve even for individuals who are still categorized as obese or overweight by a health care professional.

    Understand types of weight gain

    • Obesity is excess accumulation of body fat, either just below the skin or around organs. Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can limit the excess fat, but obesity is often rooted in more complicated, chronic conditions like diabetes or physical impairment.
    • As adults retire from their jobs or become less mobile, they use their muscles less frequently, which leads to sarcopenic obesity. Sarcopenic obesity is common in older adults; muscle loss contributes to fat retention. Staying active, even minimally, can help mitigate this.

    Assess your weight at home

    • Calculate your body mass index: BMI is the most commonly known method of determining body composition. To calculate, divide your height by the square of your weight using this calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It helps to screen for weight categories that indicate high-risk circumstances.
    • Measure your waistline: This method may be more valuable than calculating BMI because it can yield a more accurate illustration of body composition. This is specific to older adults because the BMI often overestimates body fat as aging results in loss of height.

    Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider

    Find yourself a health care buddy

    Finally, ask a caregiver, family nurse practitioner or doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one needs help with addressing obesity risks. What works for one individual might not be right for another, so it’s important for adults to establish measures that enable best practices for their specific needs.

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  • The Obesity Paradox: What does it mean for you?

    The Obesity Paradox: What does it mean for you?

    Obesity has long been a high-risk health threat in the United States; more than one in three adults are obese. However, the implications of obesity for older adults are more complicated than the well-known narrative of weight gain causing chronic conditions. The obesity paradox suggests that higher average weight can mean a longer life expectancy. It’s important for older adults and their caregivers to understand how to address weight gain in the context of a healthy, individualistic lifestyle.

    Defining Obesity: Obesity is excess accumulation of fat in the body. Lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can contribute to weight gain The preexistence of medical conditions or the experience of immobilizing injuries also can contribute to weight gain.

    Measuring obesity: Younger adults often rely on the Body Mass Index to measure weight composition. But many studies show the inaccuracy of the BMI system when applied to older adults. Measuring the waistline may be a better alternative when it comes to older adults; that measure can be compared to height and weight for a more accurate analysis of weight distribution.

    What is the Obesity Paradox? Several studies have revealed a counter-intuitive concept that associates a higher average weight with a longer life expectancy. In other words, the optimal weight for survival increases with age. The reasons for these findings are varied, but they emphasize that body composition is more complicated than we might think. (That said, experts see many health risks for older adults with a high body mass index–30 kg/m2 or higher.)

    What does it mean for you? Caregivers and family members of obese or overweight older adults should understand that increased body size does not necessarily pose a threat to health, or risk complicating existing chronic conditions, and has actually been associated with longer life expectancies.

    The reasons behind the obesity paradox are not universally understood. In no way does it mean that healthy adults should try to gain a lot of weight. However, it does mean that heavier adults might be at lower health risk than they think.

    All adults and their caregivers should be familiar with specific medical risks of obesity, and understand that the idea that a fatter body signifies poor health is too simple. Older adults should seek help from a doctor or family nurse practitioner, who can evaluate their loved one’s specific conditions and prescribe measures that best fit the situation.

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