(HealthDay News) — Some women react to the experience of pregnancy and childbirth with sadness, fear, anxiety and procrastination, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The academy mentions these risk factors for developing depression during and after pregnancy: Hormonal changes. Personal or family history of depression. Feeling a lack of support from family and friends. Problems with a previous pregnancy or birth. Personal or financial concerns. Stressful life experiences. Young pregnancy. Drug or alcohol abuse. Family violence. Chronic illness.
A little about: Weekly Gravy
All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:
Snacking for Diet Success
Restrictive diets are hard to stick with, especially when you must eliminate most of your favorite foods. Research has also found that cutting out a particular food can cause cravings and may lead to overindulgence — and weight regain — when you allow yourself to enjoy it again. Since permanent weight loss really involves a forever approach, learning how to work in your favorites, especially sweets, is a must even during the weight-loss phase. Penn State University researchers set out to test whether purposefully including a favorite snack in a diet could help people stick with their eating plan and achieve weight loss success. They conducted a small study in which all the participants followed a low-calorie, high-nutrient diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, non-fat milk and lean protein with a small number of daily calories going to a sweet treat. For one group of participants the treat was one small square of chocolate twice a day plus a sugar-free cocoa drink. For the other group, the treat was red licorice, plus the cocoa drink. After 18 weeks, both groups lost inches and pounds, with the chocolate group achieving slightly better results. The researchers also found that participants didn’t overindulge in their treats — they kept within the overall calorie-range of their diet — and that the snacks kept cravings under control. To try this… read on >
A Smooth Move Makes for a Happier Child
Moving from one community to another can be difficult for everyone in the family, especially if leaving friends and relatives behind. But the problems can be magnified for kids who have to switch middle or high schools. Studies show that, for high school students, moving just once in a 12-month period can cut in half the likelihood of their getting a high school diploma by age 25. And these findings hold true whether students move to a poorer or richer neighborhood. When moving is inevitable, you can better help your child if you understand his or her temperament. If he or she has had difficulties with transitions in the past — such as moving from elementary to middle school or going through physical changes like puberty — know that he or she will need more help adjusting to a new school. And that it will be even harder if going through another one of those transitions at the same time. The key is to start early, well before the first day of class, and to get school administrators to partner with you. For instance, find out if you and your child can visit the school and meet teachers a few days in advance. Also, let your child know he or she can stay connected to friends left behind with age-appropriate social media and technology like… read on >
No Evidence No-Cal Sweeteners Will Help You Lose Weight: Study
If you think a switch from sugar to a calorie-free sweetener might help you get healthier and shed pounds, think again. After years of research, there’s still only very weak evidence that no-cal sweeteners might be beneficial, according to German researchers who looked over data from 56 studies involving either adults or kids. The investigators looked at a variety of health outcomes including weight, blood sugar, oral health, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, mood and behavior. “Most health outcomes did not seem to have differences between the non-sugar sweetener exposed and unexposed groups,” concluded the team led by Joerg Meerpohl of the University of Freiburg. The quantity of non-sugar sweetener used didn’t seem to matter, either, the team added. In children, no evidence was found in weight gain between those who used non-sugar sweeteners or sugar, the research showed. There was also no evidence of any effect of non-sugar sweeteners on overweight or obese adults or children who were actively trying to lose weight. In the few studies that did show a mild health benefit for no-cal sweetener use, population sizes were either very small or the duration of the trial was too short to make any firm conclusions, the study authors noted. One nutritionist in the United States wasn’t surprised by the findings. “No matter how they are marketed, [non-sugar sweeteners] are still chemicals… read on >
Asthma Often Goes Undetected in Urban Teens, Study Finds
For many city-dwelling teens with asthma, their chronic lung disease may go undiagnosed and untreated, a new study finds. According to a survey of more than 33,000 New York City high school students, 20 percent reported having asthma-like symptoms, but were not diagnosed with the illness. The researchers also found that teenage girls and Asian-Americans were more likely to have undiagnosed asthma. “Potentially, there are a lot of these kids out there who are undiagnosed,” said lead researcher Sharon Kingston. She is an associate professor of psychology at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. “There is a need for more public health education and outreach, not only for adolescents and their families, but also for health care providers who could screen adolescents for asthma,” she said in a college news release. In people with asthma, their airways become inflamed. This causes the airway to narrow and swell and make extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children, and it can lead to school absences, reduced physical activity and quality of life, and the need for health care services. Earlier studies have shown that 8 percent to 49 percent of kids aged 7 to 18 with asthma symptoms were not diagnosed. In teens, undiagnosed asthma is especially problematic, Kingston said. That’s because they are less likely to see a… read on >
Health Tip: Avoid Cellphone Use While Driving
(HealthDay News) — Drivers should avoid talking on their cellphones while on the road, the U.S. National Safety Council warns. It’s a myth that the human brain can simultaneously handle both the many aspects of driving while chatting with a cellphone in one hand, the council says. The agency dispels these additional myths: Talking on a cell phone is just like speaking to a passenger. Passengers can help the driver stay alert and navigate, while people on the other end of a phone call have no direct awareness of what is going on in the car. Speaking hands-free is safe while driving. The council warns that drivers on cellphones can be distracted enough to miss seeing pedestrians, red lights and stop signs. I only use my phone at stop lights, so it’s OK. Drivers should stay focused even at stop lights. A recent AAA study revealed that people are distracted up to 27 seconds after sending a text message.
What’s the Best Diet for 2019? Experts Weigh In
For many, the start of the new year signals the start of a new diet. But what’s the best way to eat if you want to lose weight? For overall healthy eating, the best diet plan is the Mediterranean diet, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual diet review. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was ranked second on the magazine’s overall Best Diets 2019 list, followed by the Flexitarian plan. All three plans focus on eating a mostly plant-based diet (veggies, fruits and whole grains), healthy fats and lean protein sources. “I hope these rankings steer people in the direction of doing something healthful,” said nutritionist Samantha Heller of NYU Langone Health in New York City. “I wish though, that we weren’t so obsessed with weight loss and diets, per se. I wish the focus was on adopting a healthy lifestyle, like eating a more plant-based diet, getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep and managing stress, all of which help us live a better quality of life,” Heller said. To that end, she said the top three diets are all similar in their food content, and all can be healthy eating regimens. The Mediterranean diet has been linked to increased longevity and a decreased risk of chronic illnesses, the report said. The Mediterranean diet was also ranked high in multiple categories… read on >
Building Passion When You’re Not in Love With Your Job
Here’s some career advice for the new year. Experts often suggest that people follow their passion when looking for work that they’ll feel enriched by. But sometimes you don’t have a choice and have to take a job that you’re not quite wild about, to put it mildly. But rather than feel resentful and unhappy every day, over time you can learn to love the job — or at least like it. There are two different mindsets when it comes to finding job satisfaction: the “fit theory” and the “develop theory,” according to researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California. For people with the “fit theory” mindset, the priority is finding work that they can be passionate about from day one. People with the “develop theory” mindset aren’t as concerned with finding the perfect job. They focus more on the practical, like having a paycheck and believing they’ll develop an inner passion on the job as they master the position. After numerous studies, the researchers discovered that people are actually more flexible than they might think and can change their approach to fit the situation. So if you find yourself in a job that you only feel lukewarm about, there are steps you can take to feel more connected sooner. To create more passion at work: Search out tasks that… read on >
Mindfulness Can Help Tame Everyday Stress
Being in tune with the present moment — called mindfulness — can relieve stress and make you an actor rather than a reactor, a wellness expert says. Focusing on what’s happening right now allows people to notice things they might otherwise miss, said Dr. Timothy Riley. He is an assistant professor in the family and community medicine department at Penn State Health. That might sound simple enough. But being engaged in the present moment, on purpose and non-judgmentally, can be a challenge, he said. “Being aware of physical sensations, thoughts and emotions — both pleasant and unpleasant — can help us choose how to respond, rather than simply react,” Riley said in a Penn State news release. Each individual’s upbringing and genes have programmed how they approach situations, he explained. A person’s automatic reactions can be spot on — or not. “You walk by Starbucks, see a cookie and you have an emotional response,” he said. “You want the cookie. Then may come guilt for wanting a cookie.” If you’re mindful, you see the cookie, are aware of your emotional response, and you can let it be without judgment, Riley added. “It puts you in this observer stance where we can witness what is happening without getting wrapped up in it,” he said. “It gives you a bit of space.” That moment can help you… read on >
Health Tip: Understanding Caffeine
(HealthDay News) — Caffeine in limited amounts is OK for most people, but too much of the stimulant can be dangerous to your health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA adds: Caffeine is found in many foods, including various beverages and dietary supplements. Coffees and teas labeled “decaffeinated” can actually contain 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup. Pregnant women and people who take certain medications should be aware of their doctor’s recommended caffeine consumption. The FDA suggests consulting a physician about the safety of children consuming caffeine. Caffeine should not be used as a substitute for sleep. If you want to cut back on caffeine, do so gradually to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.