Healthy lifestyle changes can cut Type 2 diabetes risk

A new report published in the Annals of Medicine found that a combination of even a few health lifestyle habits can cut the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes substantially. Jarad Reis, one of the researchers associated with the study, noted that the more healthy lifestyle factors one has, the lower the risk with overall risk reduction reaching 80%. The healthy lifestyle factors studied included: physical activity, healthy diet, body weight, alcohol consumption and smoking.

During the study, Reis' team collected data on 114,996 men and 92,483 women 50 to 71 years of age who took part in the National Institutes of Health--AARP Diet and Health Study. None of them had diabetes, cancer or heart disease at the start of the study. Over a period of 10 years, 9.6% of men and 7.5% of women developed diabetes. Researchers found that for each additional healthy lifestyle factor that was adopted by participants, the risk of developing diabetes was reduced 31% for men and 39% for women. Having a normal weight by itself reduced the risk of developing the disease by 60 to 70%

Baby's Palate And Food Memories Shaped Before Birth

An interesting podcast and story on NPR today discusses how an infant's food preferences can be shaped while still in the womb. While developing, the baby consumes several ounces of amniotic fluid daily which is flavored with the foods and beverages that the mother has consumed within the last few hours.

University of Florida taste researcher Linda Bartoshukuk believes that it might be possible to get a baby used to a healthier diet by exposing to flavors like carrots early on. If those taste experiences are reinforced as the baby grows, it may even promote healthy eating.

Nutrition labels help fast food customers cut calories

According to a recent article on CBS News, a new study that took a look at New York's fast food restaurants found that customers who look at the calorie information actually order something healthier - saving around 100 calories.

You can read more about the study which was published in the British Medical Journal.

U.S. immigrants and weight gain

A recent article on MSNBC.com shares the findings of a new study that indicate that some
mmigrants are known to put on weight after their move to the U.S. , with some approaching obesity levels within 15 years. The study focused on Asian-American and White college students. During the study, researchers found that children of immigrants are often embarrassed to eat foods associated with their home country in front of others. As a way to fit-in, the participants in the study sometimes chose Americanized food choices like hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches - which contain much more calories than the food consumed in their home countries.

The study is scheduled to be published in June in the journal Psychological Science.

Can People Be Bribed into Healthier Habits?

According to a CBS article, the British government is looking at financial incentives in order to reverse the current obesity epidemic. The. U.K. has tested several programs that pay people to make healthy choices. Officials say that these programs have been successful enough to roll them out further.