Eating late at night puts on extra kilos

Most studies have shown that eating late at night puts on extra kilos. “How or why a person gains weight is very complicated, but it is clearly not just calories in and calories out," said Fred Turek, from the Northwestern's Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, where the research took place.

"Better timing of meals could be a critical element in slowing the ever-increasing incidence of obesity."

Many factors other than the daily calorie intake and frequency of exercise play a role in weight gain such as sleep, hormones and body temperature.

Evicting world hunger

Brazil and China have been praised for their efforts to tackle hunger, in a development charity's report released to coincide with UN World Food Day.

The Action Aid agency also ranked rich countries, saying Luxembourg is trying hardest to end global hunger, while the US and New Zealand rank bottom.

Studies estimate that one billion people are malnourished globally.

Alarming statistics, such as these, can be a result of many factors. Such factors may involve the school health education program and cafeteria food, the culture and habits of a community, the food environment, the peer influence, the sedentary lifestyle (television/computer viewing), and an individual’s self image and self esteem.

What is the extent parent modeling has on these factors and the health of the children? Are you a good role model of healthy habits? Did you ever take a closer look at yourself and see how you may be affecting the future health of your child? These questions are tackled in a recent research article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The authors of the article undertook a research study on Australian families to discover any significant impact parents may have on the habits of their children; specifically when it comes to physical activity and consuming fruits and vegetables.

The results from the study reveal children to be more physically active when the parents model it, financially support it, and provide the needed transport. However, in comparison to the boys, girls were found to be less physically active even with highly active parents. Interestingly enough, these girls were found to at least to eat more fruits and vegetables. Then again, no strong correlation was found between parents modeling high physical activity and children having healthier eating habits.

The results also reveal children to consume higher amounts of fruits and vegetables when the parents keep the fruits and vegetables available at home, and model their consumption. Whereas, parents supporting the intake of unhealthy snacks tend to have children that eat less fruits and vegetables, regardless of the physical activity of the parents.

I found this article quite supportive of my own experiences as a dietitian for 5 years. Here within the UAE, I come about parents so worried and focused about how they are going to control their child and get rid of the weight problem. They fail to take a closer look at themselves as parents, and see how their own lifestyle habits may be the main root of their child’s weight problem. Enforcing healthy lifestyle habits on an overweight child, while modeling unhealthy ones, may cause a child to feel different and alienated from the rest of the family. In the end, these feelings may lead to low self esteem, and force the child into a future of endless weight problems.

Unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle is what is leading to the alarming statistics mentioned above. Health professionals have a role in making people aware about the consequences of modeling and holding on to unhealthy habits. I believe once parents start to realize the impact of their support and parent modeling, and change their habits as a whole family, the UAE Obesity and diabetes statistics will then improve one family at a time and over generations to come!

Ingredients for Chicken:
1 Kg of Skinless Chicken Breasts; cut into big cubes.
2 Onions; thinly sliced
2 Garlic cloves; minced
2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
1 Kg of fresh Tomato – peeled & chopped OR 1 and half x 415 g cans crushed tomato
1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger; grated
1 Green Chili, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Turmeric Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Curry Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon Salt & Pepper to taste

Ingredients for Rice:
1 Kg of Basmati Rice, Boiled with little Salt
2 cups fresh chopped Coriander
2 cups fresh Mint leaves
1 cup fresh Lemon, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon Saffron; dipped in half cup of Rose Water

Method:
1. In a cooking pot, heat the oil, cook onions and garlic until soft, add ginger, chili, turmeric, corian der, cumin, paprika curry powder and cinnamon. Stir in tomato, then add chicken cubes plus salt and pepper and cook until chicken is cooked through.
2. In a big cooking pot, put two cups of the above chicken sauce, then spread above it a layer of the b boiled rice, then spread some coriander, mint, lemon slices and sprinkle with some saffron rose water. Repeat the above method in layers until you use all the rice and ingredients.
3. Cover the cooking pot and put on very low fire for 15 minutes.
4. To server, flip the cooking pot on to a big tray and decorate with fresh chopped coriander and mint.

1. The Food Guide Pyramid has been replaced by a new food guidance system that offers a more personalized approach to healthy eating and physical activity. What is it called?
2. What are considered a good source of protein and wrongly accused of increasing one’s choles terol?
3. Which island is hosting F1 Race in Abu Dhabi in 2009?
4. Carbohydrates and proteins provide 4kcal per gram. Alcohol provides 7kcal per gram. Which food provides 9kcal per gram?
5. What is the 7th month of the calendar year?
6. A person whose job is to ride horses in races is called a ------.
7. What is another name for Hyperglycemia?
8. This 1980’s musical is about students of Performing Arts in New York city.
9. What is the best total body workout?
10. Which substance, found in whole grains, fruits & vegetables, nuts and legumes, aids in digestion and prevents constipation, adds bulk to your diet and makes you feel full faster, helping you control your weight?
The device with which you measure your weight is called a -----.
Which mineral is known to be found in milk & dairy products?
What is the name of the condition in which the bones become fragile and can break easily and affects BOTH men and women?
----- ----- is the famous actress from Forrest Gump whose first and last names are found sepa rately in this puzzle!
When you are ------- intolerant, you can’t digest milk and dairy products because you don’t have the enzyme lactase.
This day of the week is also the official Islamic weekend.
Which green vegetable, also known as soy bean, is a healthy and famous Japanese restaurant appetizer?
The unit for measuring the energy found in food can be either a calorie or a -----.
What is the stage name for the American hip hop artist Shawn Corey Carter?
This insect is also the name of a popular car.
Live’ly Health and Nutrition Lounge has opened its most recent branch in --- -----.

The four main objectives of this campaign are:

1. Increase awareness about causes and negative consequences of childhood obesity.
2. Encourage children, parents and community members to adapt a healthy lifestyle in terms of healthy eating      and active living.
3. Educate stakeholders about the childhood obesity problem and inform them about their expected roles and      responsibilities.
4. Mobilize policymakers to develop policies to improve the nutrition, physical activities and healthy lifestyles of      children.

For more details visit: www.thefattruth.org

Breast Cancer in the U.A.E.

In four out of five women after being diagnosed with breast cancer referred to a city breast cancer clinic, the disease had already reached an advanced stage, sharply reducing their chances of survival, according to a top UAE cancer doctor.

Diagnosed at an early stage, you are given a 98 per cent chance of surviving at least five years beyond diagnosis.

Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the UAE, accounting for 22.8 per cent of all cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Registry.

In response to the research, health care officials have outlined plans to launch a comprehensive breast screening program for nationals and expatriates throughout the emirate.

By Yasmine Haddad