Smoking is a significant contributor to illnesses and deaths worldwide.1 It is estimated that tobacco is responsible for more than 8 million deaths every year and may kill up to half of its users.2 Smoking also has far-reaching effects on various aspects of metabolic health. Those who smoke tobacco are shown to have more than double the...
Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach characterized by restricting caloric intake over various intervals of time.1,2 Emerging evidence seems to suggest that intermittent fasting can have beneficial effects on metabolic health by improving weight, glycemic control, and insulin resistance especially among those who are overweight or obese.3 Does Intermittent Fasting Improve Metabolic Health? After an...
How Is Childhood Obesity Defined? Obesity in children and adolescents is of special concern as it affects both their physical and psychological health during a developmentally critical stage.1 It is a chronic disease characterized by excess adipose tissue and known to be associated with a wide array of health issues. Obesity in children and adolescents is defined...
What Is Stress? Stress is a broad term that refers to various “stressors” or factors that place a significant psychological strain and often disturb normal physiological state.1 Stressors can include low socioeconomic status, major life events such as job loss or divorce, catastrophic events such as war, chronic adversities such as daily work stress, hassles, caregiver distress,...
The DASH diet stands for “Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension” – an eating plan endorsed by the American Heart Association that aims to reduce hypertension (ie, high blood pressure).1 The diet is characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and seeds.2 On the other hand,...
