Advanced Family Medicine

Obesity: The Silent Epidemic Did you know that between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates doubled among adults in the U.S? This means that today, about 60 millions adults (or 30% of the adult population) in this country are now classified as obese. But it doesn’t stop there: Since 1980, the number of overweight children has doubled, and the number of obese adolescents has tripled. Clearly, obesity is an ever-increasing health concern for men, women, and children in this country. But what is it, and how does it impact your quality of life? And perhaps most importantly, what can you do to prevent it? What is Obesity? According to the  Obesity Action Coalition , obesity is defined as “a condition that is associated with having an excess of body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting.” Obesity is measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by his or her height in meter...

The Link Between Exercise and Brain Function It’s a well known fact that regular exercise has a wide range of benefits, including improved circulatory health, boosted metabolism, a better night’s sleep, and—perhaps most noticeably—helping you to look your best. But did you know that regular exercise is an important part of keeping your brain healthy as well? It’s true: More and more information is emerging based on medical research that shows a significant correlation between exercise and human brain function. In fact, in one well-designed study, a year of moderately intense aerobic exercise reversed age related brain decline by the equivalent of 1 to 2 years, and seemed to be especially beneficial for people 55 to 80 years old. And as mentioned in  this  study, “staying mentally sharp” outranks social security and physical health as the top priority and concern in the United States.” With this information in mind, where can you begin? How exactly does exercise imp...