Reuters - Overweight children may show a collection of risk factors for heart disease by the time they are teenagers, a new study shows.

Ugly Betty's America Ferrera won another award to add to her ever-growing trophy case. This time it was the 2007 Emmy award for best actress in a comedy series. Congratulations, America! I must admit, I gave up watching the show about 3 shows in, but apparently, a lot of folks are still watching it and its still winning awards.

Although, I missed most of the telecast, I did catch her award and watched her accept it. She was wearing a beautiful, figuring hugging dark blue gown and she looked awesome. America has turned into a fully grown, sexy young woman. She graced the stage and graciously and articulately accepted her award in typical America fashion.

It appeared she's lost a bit of weight from the last time I saw her (posted here in January) and she looked fantastic then! I have no clue how much weight she’s lost, but she still looked healthy and most importantly, happy. 

Sadly, I was in the market yesterday and saw her photoshopped image on the cover of Glamour and immediately thought – why?!?! Why did they do that? Ok, I have no proof, she was photoshopped, but she looks photoshopped, and I don’t think anyone gracing a fashion magazine cover escapes it these days (just think Katie Couric). I don't know about you, but I just want it to stop!! Taking perfectly beautiful women and reconstructing their bodies, even slightly makes me so mad! I'm not a Pollyanna, and I appreciate that professional pictures are touched up and have been since the beginning of time, but reconstructing body parts? Slenderizing arms and hips and legs (think Martha Stewart and Kate Winslet), it’s infuriating!

Was America not beautiful enough for them the way she was? Who knows why America decided to lose weight – I hope it was her own idea and not the pressure she must feel being a young actress in Hollywood, but whatever the reason, it apparently wasn’t good enough for Glamour.

Tags: photochop , body image , american ferrera , perfectionism .

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Sept. 20 (HealthDay News) -- In the 1980s and '90s, Americans tried to control their weight by watching their cholesterol by cutting dietary fat and substituting carbohydrates. They paid little mind to total calories and physical activity. And guess what happened to their waistlines -- and their children's?

AFP - US presidential hopefuls from both sides of the political divide are dishing out their plans for fighting obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions and is putting enormous strain on the health care system.

Is there any more beautiful color than the rich fuchsia and red tones of the beet?

Today's apple beet medley is a vibrant and nutrient-packed accompaniment to any main course. Like apples, beets are terrific for healthy eating because they are a great source of dietary fiber, folate, potassium, maganese, vitamin C, iron and magnesium. Apples themselves are rich in phytochemicals, which have significant health benefits. Many researchers believe they reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

This beet salad is also an award-winning healthy recipe from the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association (submitted by Diane Millner). So serve up this simple yet sophisticated side, and the compliments will fall in your lap like the jewel-toned leaves of autumn.

Makes 6 servings

3  Tart apples, chopped-enough for 3 cups
15 oz Can beets, chopped
2/3 c Walnuts, toasted and broken a little
1/4 c  Feta cheese, crumbled
3 Tbs Minced onion
2 Tbs Olive oil
2 Tbs Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp  Salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Toast walnuts in a cast iron pan for 2-3 minutes on high heat. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve. It's that easy!

For more healthy eating recipes, check out the other delicious recipes listed on this blog or visit Green Mountain Healthy Living Recipe Favorites.

Tags: beet salad, apple beet medley, healthy recipe, beet recipe

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Sept. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Being overweight or obese doesn't increase the odds that seniors will experience memory trouble, a new study finds.

In keeping with yesterday's post, Managing PCOS, which highlights the PCOS Awareness Month campaign sponsored by the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association), today's focus is on genetic research linking PCOS and type 2 diabetes.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs when ovarian cysts block a woman's normal ovulation and menstrual cycle. While the problem sounds straightforward, the disease is complex, born from both multiple genetic components and environmental factors. PCOS affects up to five percent of the female population, and those diagnosed with the disease have a 2- to 7-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

A study of 146 PCOS patients has found that the "diabetes gene" (calpain-10 (CAPN10)) is in fact an interesting candidate for explaining the syndrome. This genetic factor not only increases the risk in women with PCOS of developing type 2 diabetes, but also may play a role in the onset of PCOS.

The study appears in the online edition of the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (http://ajpendo.physiology.org/). The journal is one of the 14 scientific publications published by the American Physiological Society (APS) (http://www.the-aps.org/) each month.

The findings are good news for the estimated five percent of the female population who are diagnosed with the painful and sometimes disabling disease. Please read Managing PCOS, which lists common symptoms of the syndrome if you believe you may be affected.

by Laura Brooks

Tags: PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, type 2 diabetes, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association

Reuters - Children born to mothers who developed diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers, according to a new study.

The last time we wrote about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was last September; it’s September again, and again, it’s PCOS Awareness Month. This is a campaign sponsored by the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association and is (obviously) designed to help women become aware of this relatively common problem (5-10% of women of childbearing age suffer with it).

Once again, we list the symptoms to help those among us recognize the problem:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• pelvic pain
• obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
• type 2 diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

PCOS can be treated. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, consult a physician. It is a problem that is becoming increasingly recognized by the healthcare community, although you may have to be the one who asks whether PCOS http://fitwoman.com/pcos-metabolic-syndrome-weight-loss.htm could be the reason for your struggles.

Tags: PCOS , polycystic ovary syndrome , type 2 diabetes , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association

Reuters - Obese pregnant women may have an increased risk of losing their baby relatively late in pregnancy, and black women appear particularly at risk, a large study suggests.