Recent Weight Gain may be Ignored by Young Women
A new study finds that young women commonly fail to recognize recent weight gain of as many as 11 pounds, which puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related conditions.
Self-perception of weight gain also appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods.
In the study, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) researchers found that a significant number of women evaluated at six-month intervals did not recognize recent gains in weight.
Overall, nearly one-third and one-quarter of women did not recognize gains of approximately 4.5 and 8.8 pounds during a six-month interval, respectively.
However, black women and DMPA users (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, commonly known as the birth control shot) were more likely to recognize weight gain than their counterparts.
Researchers surveyed a sample of 466 women with an average age of 25. Approximately 37 percent of the subjects were Hispanic, 35 percent non-Hispanic white and 29 percent non-Hispanic black women.
Roughly 39 percent of the women used DMPA, 36 percent used an oral contraceptive and 25 percent were non-hormonal contraceptive users.
“We were surprised to find that race and ethnicity are determinants of accurate recognition of weight gain, predictors that have never before been reported,” said lead author Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The study found that DMPA users are likelier to recognize weight gain, and Rahman believes the finding may be attributed to the fact that DMPA has been widely reported to be associated with weight gain and that users may be engaging in more mindful and continuous weight monitoring.
He noted that further studies using detailed measures that include cultural, psychological and perceptual aspects of weight change in women are needed to explore this relationship.
The study was published online and in the March issue of the Journal of Women’s Health.
Women Health Expert GC-Rise Debuts at JPMorgan’s Healthcare Conference in US
GC-Rise Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, in which European healthcare venture capital firm INVENTAGES holds a majority stake, has debuted at J.P. Morgan’s 30th annual Healthcare Conference in the United States.
Beijing-headquartered GC-Rise, which focuses on women’s health in China, aims to take the opportunity to share its growth stories and seek collaborations with potential partners to help them tap China’s big market.
The Healthcare conference, the industry’s largest, is held from January 9-12 in San Francisco, California, GC-Rise’s founder & chief executive officer Wren Zhang presented the company’s growth roadmap at a luncheon on January 10.
“We offer exclusive agreements with producers of medicine, helping them with distribution and building their presence in China. Most of our partners come from the developed world – Japan, the United States and Europe. We provide one-stop services for them, from policy interpretation, public affairs management to patient education, from local registration, clinical trials, pricing to market promotion and brand-building,” Zhang said.
China’s female health care market is expected to grow at an annual compound rate of 20% between 2010 and 2015. Some segments, like anti-aging and reproductive health, will see growth as high as 35%, with the market expected to hit 247 billion RMB, Zhang cited data from the Ministry of Health.
GC-Rise, invited as one of the emerging fast-growth companies by J.P. Morgan, saw its operating revenues rising more than 270% on average per annum from 2008 to 2010, and was recently listed as one of the Deloitte & Touche’s 50 top-performing Chinese high-tech companies.
The company is solidly positioned in five rapidly growing segments: anti-aging products, reproductive health products, tumor products, dermatological and beauty products, and mental health treatments.
“We are confident of strong demand in the 2010-2015 period, giving us annual compound growth of 61%,” said Zhang.
The healthcare investment symposium brings together more than 300 companies, both public and private, and the companies, including global industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators have delivered presentations to more than 4,000 investors.
About GC-Rise Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd
GC-Rise Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, established in 2008, is a wholly-owned foreign enterprise invested by INVENTAGES, a major European healthcare and biotechnology venture capital investor, focuses on women’s health. Taking “Devoted to human healthcare and a better life” as our mission, the company makes full use of the business networks of our strategic partners in the United States, Europe and Japan, their rich experiences in clinical development, clinical trials and registration in China and their strong strength in distributions, hospital sales and marketing, so as to provide safe, novel and highly efficient medical products and treatment ideas for Chinese women patients.
Three Most Ignored Health Problems That Demand Your Attention in 2012
Atlanta, GA (January 17, 2012) — While many Americans are focusing on the most popular health resolutions – to lose weight, eat better, exercise more or quit smoking – far too many will overlook three commonly ignored but critically important health priorities. OBGYN and women’s health expert Dr. Ken Taylor explains why three commonly ignored health issues deserve top billing for health resolutions in 2012.
1) Focus on your digestive health. Millions of Americans suffer daily from common digestive problems such as heartburn, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux and other gut conditions that would make Clint Eastwood blush. What’s worse: many people don’t even know their digestive health is suffering or don’t understand how it affects their overall health – from allergies, acne and chronic fatigue to arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer and more.
“The intestines make up the inner tube of life and play an essential role in maintaining a healthy immune system,” explains Dr. Taylor. Seventy percent of the body’s immune system resides in the digestive tract. More than 100 million Americans have digestive problems. In addition, digestive problems are very costly – many of the top-selling drugs are for digestive problems, there are more than 200 over-the-counter remedies for digestive disorders and intestinal-related conditions are among the top reasons for visits to primary care physicians. Dr. Taylor says the resolution to improve digestive health in 2012 can begin with such steps as:
* Pay attention when you go. That’s right: you can learn a lot from your elimination. Observe everything from how often you go and how regularly you go to what it looks like when you go. For example, does your poop float? That’s a no-no and a sign of potentially serious health problems.
* Get more fiber. Depending on your age and gender, you should get from 26-38 grams of fiber per day. Taylor explains that, with today’s fast-paced lifestyle and diet habits, it’s very difficult for most people to get the required daily fiber from natural food sources. He recommends fiber supplements like Metamucil and Metafiber.
* Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks and too many caffeinated drinks. Limit alcoholic drinks to no more than two per day.
2) Start planning early to guarantee healthy bones. Bone health is another health priority that many people think about when it’s too late. Bone fractures can be extremely painful and take months (an average of 12 weeks) to heal. Osteoporosis and osteopenia bone disorders affect forty-four million Americans, and plague one in two American women. “It’s never too early to start thinking about and fortifying your bone health. Young people, as early as teenage years, have calcium needs that can’t be rectified later in life,” says Dr. Taylor.
So, what 2012 resolutions can help improve bone health?
* Start moving. Like muscle, bone is a living tissue and is strengthened through exercise. Weight-bearing exercises, that force you to work against gravity, are the best kind for your bones. Good examples include weight training, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing.
* Get your calcium…dairy-free that is. Your body continually removes and replenishes calcium from your bones. If you don’t replenish enough calcium, your bones will become weaker, more brittle and dense. Dr. Taylor says dairy-free sources of calcium are best for several reasons: calcium contains animal proteins that can actually contribute to bone loss; causes digestive problems and aggravates irritable bowels; is full of saturated fat; and is often enhanced with dangerous, cancer-feeding hormones. Better sources of calcium include: dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli and bok choy; almonds; soybeans and soymilk; and figs, to name a few.
* Boost your Vitamin D intake. Your body needs vitamin D in order to absorb calcium. Some studies actually show Vitamin D is more important than calcium in preventing fractures. The best ways to get vitamin D are: sunlight, food, and supplements. Foods like fatty fishes, orange juice and soymilk are excellent sources of vitamin D. And, natural supplements are helpful for filling in the gap.
3) Guard your oral health: the gateway to your body. The mouth is the first point on your digestive path, but it’s also the point that many people skip. Dr. Taylor says oral health is a mirror of your overall health. Your mouth is a hotbed of bacteria, which are normally contained and managed by good oral health. Oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease can weaken your body’s defenses and allow harmful bacteria to grow out of control. Oral health is also connected to heart health. Research shows chronic gum disease is directly associated with heart disease. In addition, poor oral health can affect your saliva flow, which is necessary to protect your teeth and aid in food digestion. The good news is you can guard your oral health in 2012 with some simple steps:
* Start with proactive prevention. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing between your teeth daily and replacing your toothbrush every three or four month. It seems simple enough, but it’s easy to get into a routine of brushing only once a day or using the same toothbrush a month or two too long.
* Get to know your dentist. Schedule regular dental appointments for cleanings, fluoride treatments and other preventive measures. If you are one of the thousands who suffer from dental phobia or dental anxiety (really on laughing matter), there are many online resources to help you overcome this fear and get better acquainted with a local dentist you can trust.
“There are understandable reasons why these health priorities are often ignored and don’t usually make the resolutions list,” said Dr. Taylor. “However, they are high on the list of health problems that have significant quality and length of life impact, and can be easily addressed and prevented. My hope is that more people will move them to toward the top of their lists for 2012 – right up there with getting married, traveling more and getting out of debt.”