You can probably eat more Christmas cookies than you think – just take a look at the calorie guidelines
Patricia Smith, University of Michigan and Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University It’s that time of year when cookies, cakes, candy and treats show up at work, home and every place in between. As researchers who have investigated obesity, people’s body image, and fast food and other nutritional topics we often get questions from people concerned […]
The magnificent history of the maligned and misunderstood fruitcake
Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University Nothing says Christmas quite like a fruitcake – or, at the very least, a fruitcake joke. A quip attributed to former “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson has it that “There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.” It’s certainly earned its […]
Heart-Healthy Living – Manage Stress – Manage Stress
Research suggests that an emotionally upsetting event, particularly one involving anger, can serve as a trigger for a heart attack or angina in some people. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Some of the ways people cope with stress—drinking alcohol, using other substances, smoking, or overeating—are not healthy […]
Yes, we should be keeping the healthier hand-washing habits we developed at the start of the pandemic
Melissa Hawkins, American University People were washing their hands so much early in the pandemic that sensitive skin and soap shortages were common problems in 2020. All this focus on hand-washing was for good reason. The science uniformly demonstrates that frequent hand-washing reduces the risk of a variety of illnesses. It is low-hanging fruit in […]
As people gather for the holidays, rapid tests play a crucial role in curbing COVID-19 infections
Nathaniel Hafer, UMass Chan Medical School As winter begins and the holidays are in full swing, the COVID-19 pandemic has entered another worrying phase. Emergence of the omicron variant, along with increasing rates of infections, have left many people unsure about their holiday plans. On Dec. 2, 2021, President Joe Biden outlined a series of […]
Figuring out omicron – here’s what scientists are doing right now to understand the new coronavirus variant
Figuring out omicron – here’s what scientists are doing right now to understand the new coronavirus variant Peter Kasson, University of Virginia Scientists around the world have been racing to learn more about the new omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, first declared a “variant of concern” on Nov. 26, 2021 by the World Health Organization. Officials cautioned […]
Diabetes – 5 Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays
‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and food—lots of food. Temptations are everywhere, and parties and travel disrupt daily routines. What’s more, it all goes on for weeks. How do you stick to your diabetes meal plan when everyone around you seems to be splurging? Here are 5 tips that can help: 1. Holiday-Proof Your […]
Watch Your Weight
The Basics To stay at a healthy weight, balance the calories you eat and drink with the calories you burn (use up). Calories are a measure of the energy in the foods you eat. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat. A healthy diet and physical activity can help you control […]
The COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to make a healthy shift in body image ideals.
Janet J. Boseovski, University of North Carolina – Greensboro The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyday life for many people in both trivial and profound ways. Embracing pants without a waistband, trying out creative baking – and perhaps spending a great deal of time sitting, whether for virtual meetings or Netflix binges. For many people, these […]
Grocery workers suffer the mental health effects of customer hostility and lack of safety in their workplace
Brian Mayer, University of Arizona; Melissa A. Barnett, University of Arizona; Mona Arora, University of Arizona, and Sabrina V. Helm, University of Arizona With the holiday season here, consumers are understandably desperate for a “normal” holiday season. For many, that includes big family dinners and Black Friday shopping sprees. Retail and service sector workers have […]