Cut the cars along with the carbs?

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This study from the University of Illinois approached obesity interventions from a new angle, suggesting that perhaps reducing daily automobile travel can be as effective as restricting calorie intake. A multivariable model predicting BMI from calories consumed and miles driven projects that if adults drove just one mile less each day, this decrease could have significant long-term impacts on the national average BMI. So when it comes to weight loss, even small changes in our daily activity level could have big implications.

Withdrawal and depression from… dieting?

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Just published today from the University of Montreal, this mouse study found that eating a high fat, sugary diet can actually change the neurochemistry of the brain, including the production of dopamine and the stress hormone corticosterone. These changes can lead to withdrawal-type symptoms and depression if sugary and fatty foods are removed from the diet. Even more fascinating is that these chemical alterations occur in the brain long before weight gain progresses to obesity, meaning that the struggle for healthy eating habits may begin long before the struggle for weight loss.

The memory of eating vs. reality of eating

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It might seem intuitive that hours after eating, hunger should be a function of how much you ate. However, this cool eating study found the opposite: 2-3 hours after eating a bowl of soup, participants felt less hungry if they had seen an image of a large bowl of soup (versus a smaller bowl) before eating. This effect was sustained regardless of how much soup they had actually eaten – which the researchers manipulated with a trick bowl that could fill or empty without the participants knowing. These findings suggest that while the amount you eat may influence immediate feelings of hunger and satiety, it’s memory that takes control by the time you’re ready to for the next meal.

Is Dieting Worth the Trouble?

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Just posted today, Dr. T collaborated with Britt Ahlstrom and Traci Mann on this article in the Huffington Post, “Is Dieting Worth the Trouble?” Their op-ed piece talks about the failure of the recent large dieting study, and what it exactly means for a diet to “succeed” or “fail.”

Emotional perks of… vegetables?

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This fascinating study recently published in Public Health and Nutrition found that vegetables have much more than just a nutritional impact on a meal. The results show that meals were rated more favorably when a vegetable was included. Even cooler is that the person who made the meal was also more consistently rated as “thoughtful,” “attentive,” and “capable” (as opposed to “neglectful,” “selfish,” and “boring”) when vegetables were on the plate! So the take-home message for all aspiring chefs is to always include a veggie on the dish – your critics will like your meal AND you even more for it (not to mention the health benefits)!

Anti-Fat Bias Prevalent in the Medical Community

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A recent study found that doctors too, like the general public, have both implicit and explicit weight bias. This result applied even to overweight doctors, and was present in both female and male doctors. Future research will have to examine how these biases affect the doctor-patient relationship to ensure equal quality-of-care for all patients.

Hot off the press!

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Dr. T’s recent paper “Chronic psychological stress and racial disparities in Body Mass Index change between black and white girls aged 10-19.” has been getting a lot of press lately! Check out these articles in the Chicago Tribune and at BET.com.

Eating for health?

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It shouldn’t be a crazy idea, but nowadays many people are eating just to be thin, and not to be healthy. A fantastic New York Times article focuses on current research on eating, dieting, and health and emphasizes the importance of what you eat as well as how much you eat. The article also suggests that maybe the answer to the United States’ high annual healthcare costs is not to cut spending but to address instead the diet and lifestyle choices that make us so unhealthy. This one is definitely worth the read!

Abuzz over Dr. T’s study!

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Check it out here! Buzzfeed.com posted a review of Dr. T’s recent paper “Chronic psychological stress and racial disparities in Body Mass Index change between black and white girls aged 10-19.” The piece gives a great summary of this important research and the inside scoop on Dr. T’s thoughts about the findings and next steps.

Exercise now to avoid future stress!

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Lots of people use exercise as a great way to unwind and de-stress. But a new study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that moderate exercise can lessen the impact of stressors and lead to reduced anxiety for an extended period of time POST-workout. After working out, study participants not only showed initial reduction in anxiety, but also were more resilient to stressors later on.