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Is emotional eating your downfall? One way to find out is with the EADES or “Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress” questionnaire developed by Amy Ozier of Northern Illinois University. First published in 2007, it has been used and refined by many other researchers over the years, not just in the United States, but around the world. The questions aren’t complicated. They ask how well you cope with stress and other problems, whether you use food as a way to self-soothe in times of distress or even as a reward in times of happiness, and how much control you feel you have over your eating, all with the goal of pinpointing eating behaviors that typically lead to weight gain. Emotions That Can Prompt Eating Stress Sadness Fatigue Feeling down on yourself Anger Not feeling that you’re in control of your own life Some other risk factors for emotional eating are not having a support network of family and friends, and feeling incapable of handling problems on your own. Strongly agreeing with statements such as you overeat when stressed, you keep eating even after you feel full, and you reach for food when you’re tired, angry or sad, are signs that your eating habits are related to more than true hunger. Keeping a food journal that includes how you feel every time you eat… read on >

There are many unanswered questions about the long-term safety and impacts of artificial sweeteners in children, a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement says. The AAP statement also recommends that the amount of artificial sweeteners should be listed on product labels to help parents and researchers better understand how much children are consuming, and the possible health effects. “Looking at the evidence, we found there’s still a lot to learn about the impact of nonnutritive sweeteners on children’s health,” statement lead author Dr. Carissa Baker-Smith said in an AAP news release. “We need more research into the use of nonnutritive sweeteners and the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes, especially in children. Considering how many children are regularly consuming these products — which have become ubiquitous — we should have a better understanding of how they impact children’s long-term health,” Baker-Smith said. A group that represents the low-calorie beverage and food industry challenged the AAP’s policy statement. “The Calorie Control Council takes issue with these claims and maintains its longstanding position that, when consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet, the consumption of [artificial sweeteners] may serve as a tool for managing overall caloric and sugar intake,” said Robert Rankin, president of the council. Artificial sweeteners have been used for more than 60 years. Six are approved as food additives… read on >

Weight-loss surgery should be more widely used to treat severely obese children and teens, a leading pediatricians’ group says. Severe obesity is a serious and worsening public health crisis among U.S. youngsters, and weight-loss surgery is one of the few effective ways of treating it, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in its new policy statement, published Oct. 27. “Children with severe obesity develop health problems earlier than those with lesser degrees of obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and sleep apnea,” said policy statement lead author Dr. Sarah Armstrong, a member of the executive committee of the AAP Section on Obesity. “While lifestyle changes remain the mainstay of treatment, medical care is unlikely to significantly change the trajectory for most children with severe obesity,” she said in an academy news release. Current rates of severe obesity are 7.9% in children, 9.7% among 12- to 15-year-olds, and 14% among 16- to 19-year-olds, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows. Recent research suggests that weight-loss surgery is safe and effective in youngsters, but significantly underused, according to the AAP. “The last decade of evidence has shown surgery is safe and effective when performed in high-quality centers, with the primary care pediatrician and family in a shared decision-making process,” said Armstrong. “Unfortunately, we see significant disparities in which patients… read on >

Debating whether or not you should have that second cup of coffee? New research that links caffeine consumption to a healthy gut microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms that live in your digestive tract and affect your overall health– may prompt you to pour generously. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated associations between coffee consumption and lowered health risks of all sorts — from type 2 diabetes to certain cancers to Parkinson’s disease. Simultaneously, accumulating evidence suggests that the makeup of your gut microbiome can affect your health, either by promoting or reducing the risk of diseases. Connecting the dots between these two health premises, a new study found the microbiomes of regular coffee drinkers were considerably healthier than those who consumed little to no coffee. “We still need to learn more about how the bacteria and the host [our bodies] interact to impact our health,” said lead study author Dr. Li Jiao, an associate professor of medicine-gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. But her advice for now? “If you love coffee, enjoy it. Follow your gut.” The new findings were to be presented Monday at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, in San Antonio, Texas. In the study, scientists for the first time ever took gut microbiome samples directly from various parts of the colon during colonoscopies. (Other studies have… read on >

Allergies and asthma can turn Halloween into fright night, so parents must be vigilant. Some fun-sized candy bars have no labels to alert about possible food allergens, such as peanuts, said Dr. Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. But food allergens aren’t the only potential concerns. “Halloween happens in the fall, so trick or treating involves being aware of fall allergies,” Mahr said in a college news release. Ragweed and other types of pollen can trigger fall allergies. Keep pollen out of your house by leaving shoes at the door, and having children shower, wash hair and change clothes after they’ve been outdoors. Kids who take allergy meds should continue their medications for two weeks after the first frost, Mahr advised. A sudden change in weather can trigger an asthma attack. If it’s cold on Halloween, consider an extra layer under or over the costume for children with asthma. Dry, windy weather is bad for people with allergies, because the wind spreads pollen and mold. Monitor pollen forecasts to see if there will be high levels of pollen in the air on Halloween. If so, consider taking allergy medications. Be cautious about haunted houses if your child has asthma. Fear and other intense emotions can disrupt normal breathing patterns, which can trigger asthma. Many haunted houses also have smoke… read on >

(HealthDay News) — From hives and itchiness to anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction to nuts can manifest itself in many ways, says the University of Rochester. If you are living with a nut allergy, the school suggests: When grocery shopping, check every item’s food label for nuts. Tell all restaurants and servers about your food allergy. Always keep medicine handy. Make sure you understand when and how to use it. Work with your healthcare provider to create a plan in case of an emergency.

(HealthDay News) — Conversations about sensitive topics can significantly strain relationships, says the American Psychological Association. In fact, about 27 percent of adults agree that the current political climate has caused strain between themselves and family members. To help manage political disagreements, the association encourages you to: Find areas where you agree with the other person. Be open and kind. Avoid polarizing language and personal attacks. Keep calm when tensions rise. Accept that you may not change the other person’s mind. Remember that disagreeing with someone you care about is okay. Know when to end the conversation.

Quality over quantity is an approach that can lead to a better sex life. Studies show that feeling satisfied with the sexual aspect of their relationship is more important to many people than how often they have sex. How can you start to enhance the quality of your sex life? You may be surprised to know that improving intimacy begins before you ever set foot in the bedroom. It’s important to nurture the nonsexual aspects of your relationship to boost marital satisfaction. Acts of tenderness and affection strengthen emotional ties between partners. Feeling secure and loved is a strong foundation for sexual pleasure. Setting the mood for sex itself starts with setting aside time so that you won’t feel rushed and can be at ease with each other and in the moment. Rather than worry about aspects like spontaneity, carve out time for romance when you know that parenting and/or work obligations won’t distract you. This might be at more unusual times, such as very early in the morning when you have far more energy than you did the night before. Sexual satisfaction is very individual. So, open communication with your partner is key to understanding their desires — what turns him or her on — and communicating the same things about yourself. This can be difficult if you feel shy about voicing wants and… read on >

This Halloween, don’t deny yourself tempting treats or throw your healthy eating plan out of whack when the kids indulge. The answer is chocolate-covered fruit — all the sweetness of candy with nutrients you won’t find in the Trick or Treat bag. Fresh berries and fruit wedges, like apples and pears, are super high in healing antioxidants, and dipping them in dark chocolate means an extra boost for your brain with its mood-elevating compounds. Fancy chocolate-covered fruit from gourmet food companies can be expensive, but making your own is not only budget-friendly, but also a lot easier than you might think. Chocolate-Dipped Fruit 7 ounces dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao 8 ounces large strawberries 2 apples or pears, cut into wedges Line an oversized plate or cookie sheet with wax paper. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler halfway with water, place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. (If you don’t have a double boiler, use a medium saucepan and a heat-resistant glass bowl that will fit inside.) Chop chocolate into small pieces and place in the top of the double boiler. Melt for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the chocolate is smooth. Turn off the heat. Use a fork to dip each berry and fruit slice into the chocolate. Then place on the wax paper-lined plate or… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Are You an Emotional Eater?

Pediatricians’ Group Calls for More Research on Artificial Sweeteners

Experts Support Weight-Loss Surgery for Very Obese Kids

Could More Coffee Bring a Healthier Microbiome?

Weight-Loss Surgery Often Overlooked for Kids, Teens

Halloween Can Be Frightful for Kids With Allergies, Asthma

Health Tip: Living With Nut Allergy

Health Tip: Managing Political Disagreements

How to Amp up the Quality of Your Sex Life

Try These Homemade Chocolate Treats for Halloween