New research from the University of Penn State suggests that depression can lead to obesity in teenage girls, but not boys. Both boys and girls experience a spike in the stress hormone cortisol when depression and anxiety are running high, but for some reason only the girls gained weight in response to higher stress levels. [...]

As discussed in an earlier post about being a couch potato, sitting for one added hour each day increases risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity regardless of how much you exercise. The average adult spends up to 90 percent of their waking hours doing one of the most inactive things you can [...]

Slow down, savor your meals and you may even shed a few pounds. According to a new study published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, taking longer to eat a meal results in a greater release of hormones that signal feelings of fullness or satiety. In this study, 17 healthy men [...]

Let’s face it. Very few people in our society use food strictly as fuel for their daily activities. We eat for flavors. We eat for entertainment. We eat to alleviate boredom, fatigue, excitement or heartache. We eat to be part of a social event. We eat because advertisers spend millions of dollars seducing us into equating [...]

Repetition of behavior is comforting because it’s secure and familiar, and we like to know what to expect. This applies to all aspects of life including food. We all have well-worn neural networks that get triggered when we see a food that used to be a regular part of our diets. Without conscious thought, your [...]

A new study published in the February 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that morbidly obese teenagers who get laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding 10 times more weight than their equally obese peers who received diet and exercise plans for weight loss. In this Australia-based study, half of the study participants underwent gastric banding [...]

Valentine’s Day is coming up fast and for many it’s the last in a long line of special occasions marked by treats and sweets and pastries galore. (And for those who celebrate it, February 14 is also Chinese New Year, which means more food!) As luck would have it, February is also Heart Health Month [...]

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. According to recent research from the University of Montreal, 10 to 15 percent of women may be affected by disordered eating. Women who suffer from eating disorders like binge eating and compulsive overeating as well as anorexia and bulimia often say their maladaptative behaviour all started with [...]