Category Archives: Topics

Stop NCDs, Protect Our Young People

New Commonwealth film highlights fight against spread of Non-communicable Diseases The Commonwealth Secretariat has produced the first of a series of advocacy DVDs on youth and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) ahead of September’s United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs. The … Continue reading

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Youth

Cheese Politics

Back in November, the New York Times published an article highlighting the gross contradiction between the U.S. government’s recommendations for proper nutrition (don’t eat too much saturated fat, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables) and its promotion of high-fat cheese. … Continue reading

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Filed under Diet, Economics, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes

Retrofitting Suburbia

These days, there is a lot of interest in creating more sustainable communities that encourage both individual and environmental health. But what exactly does that mean? How can we begin to redesign our communities to promote healthy living – walkable … Continue reading

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Diet, Environment, Obesity, Physical Activity

Obesity and Clothing Manufacturers in Mexico

I just came across this rather sad article and video about obesity in Mexico, and how clothing manufacturers are adapting to meet the demand for larger sizes: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/04/mexico.obesity/index.html?hpt=Sbin

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Industry, Obesity

The Pink Study

In a study performed in 1979, Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D, experimented with the use of a particular shade of pink – Baker-Miller Pink – and its affect on mood and behavior. Among the numerous findings, experiments demonstrated that the Baker-Miller … Continue reading

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Filed under Diet, Environment, Obesity

Healthy industry engagement or corporate sugarwashing?

This past month I came across two interesting (yet somewhat disturbing) stories about food and beverage industry involvement in global health and charitable work. The first discusses the partnership between UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund), a well-known global advocate … Continue reading

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Filed under Diabetes and Public Health, Diet, Globalization, Industry, Public-Private partnership, Type 2 Diabetes

Oxford Health Alliance Launches World’s Most Comprehensive Chronic Disease Prevention Research Programme

The Oxford Health Alliance (OxHA), a global coalition with the aim of preventing the epidemic of chronic disease, is launching a groundbreaking public health research programme to enhance scientific knowledge about the effectiveness of community interventions in reducing the prevalence … Continue reading

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Diabetes and Public Health, Diet, Obesity, Physical Activity, Public-Private partnership, Type 2 Diabetes

P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game that Works Legs

The Dance Dance Revolution video game, popular among youth, is being increasingly used to get schoolchildren to exercise, and to be enthusiastic about it. Researchers have shown that regular users of the game can improve their fitness levels and markers … Continue reading

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Obesity, Physical Activity, Type 2 Diabetes, Youth

Ovations launches global partnership to address chronic disease

Ovations, a UnitedHealth Group company, today announced a global partnership to address the growing epidemic of chronic disease, which today is responsible for sixty percent of all deaths worldwide. Ovations is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the … Continue reading

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Filed under Chronic Disease, Obesity, Public-Private partnership, Type 2 Diabetes

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation commits $500 million to reverse childhood obesity epidemic in U.S.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced it will commit at least $500 million over the next five years to tackle one of the most urgent public health threats facing our nation: childhood obesity. This is the largest commitment … Continue reading

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Filed under Diet, Obesity, Physical Activity, Public-Private partnership, Type 2 Diabetes, Youth