Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found those who spent three years in the nonprofit Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program lost five to seven percent of their body weight and kept it off.

“This is the first time a study of this size and duration has ever been done on a weight loss program,” said Nia Mitchell, MD, MPH, and a primary care physician who worked on the study. “The natural history of weight loss is weight regain and we were happy to see that people were able to keep off the weight.”

The three-year study, published last month in the research journal, Obesity, followed thousands of people enrolled in TOPS. The program provided access to their database, but no funding for the research. Milwaukee-based TOPS helps members lose weight through group support and education. They are encouraged to get a weight goal from their doctors and make it their target. At the same time, they attend weekly meetings and weigh-ins. Members receive a booklet with a six week lesson plan, a one-year subscription to TOPS News and membership in the local chapter.

The study points out the large price difference between TOPS and other well-known weight loss programs. TOPS costs about $90 a year while Weight Watchers is between $480 and $625 annually. Programs like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig, which include the price of food, can cost between $3,600 and $6,500 a year.

Mitchell said there have been studies of popular commercial weight loss programs but little investigation of nonprofits like TOPS or Overeaters Anonymous. A 1974 study concluded that behavior modification resulted in greater weight loss than other methods. TOPS incorporated the technique into its program along with group support, exercise, and monitoring food intake. It also uses volunteers to run meetings rather than paid staff.

“Peer mentoring has been shown to encourage behavioral change in other areas and appears to be effective when it comes to weight loss,” Mitchell said.

During the study, 42,481 people renewed their TOPS membership at least once including 2,427 with nonconsecutive renewals. Those who renewed each year lost the most weight and kept it off for up to three years. Those who didn’t renew every year, lost less. The research shows that the weight lost by those who remained in TOPS is similar to the weight loss seen in a previous study of individuals who completed one year of Weight Watchers.

The lesson in all of this, says Mitchell, is that the TOPS results are comparable to more expensive commercial programs. She said future studies should look more closely into the use of nonprofits to reach populations most at risk for obesity.

Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today

In its just-released report of annual health spending figures, published in the journal Health Affairs, the federal government confirmed that chronic illness accounts for 75 percent of all health spending. Yet exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce your risks for chronic illness and your medical bills.

“To put that in financial terms, for every dollar you spend on wellness, you can save as much as five dollars or more on illness,” says Dr. Richard Kreider, director of the exercise and sport nutrition laboratory at Texas A&M University. He has studied the effectiveness of the Curves women’s fitness program for the past five years.

“The women in our studies have been able to lose weight, gain muscle strength, raise metabolism, and make significant medical improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate and aerobic fitness,” Kreider says. “Many of them no longer suffer from the chronic conditions that cost them so much money for medications and doctor visits.”

This can add up to a bundle of savings. The Health Affairs report shows that the average annual out-of-pocket expense for someone with cancer is $8,411, but the good news is that regular exercise can help you avoid the disease and the costs associated with it. A major report by the American Institute for Cancer Research published in 2007 found that obesity plays a key role in increasing the risk for many cancers — including breast cancer — by as much as 60 percent. And a study just published in the journal Cancer found that obesity increased women’s risk for ovarian cancer by a whopping 80 percent.

The benefits go beyond reducing the risk of cancer. A recent landmark study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota found that people who went to the gym at least eight times a month had significantly lower healthcare costs than those who did not. These frequent gym attendees had:

• 39 percent fewer emergency room visits
• 41 percent fewer hospital admissions
• 18 percent lower overall claims costs

The research, then, is clear. “Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can save not only your life, but your money as well,” says Kreider. “Your health is your most precious asset, and not taking care of it is going to cost you more in the long run.”

So how can you get to the gym without breaking the bank? Many clubs are offering great deals on memberships because of the economy. Also, check with your health insurance provider to see if they have a wellness program that offers rebates on dues and membership fees. Some fitness centers, like Curves, have partnered with major health insurance and third-party providers, including Healthways SilverSneakers, AARP and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to make the cost of membership even more affordable. To learn more, visit www.curves.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The drug, alli, is a lower dose version of the same medication which doctors prescribe to obese people, but can be purchased over the counter after a brief consultation with a pharmacist.

alli increases the weight lost achieved through a low calorie diet by 50 per cent, so those who would lose two pounds in a week following a low-fat diet would lose three pounds if they took Alli three times a day.

Alli capsules, a new clinically proven over-the-counter weight loss aid produced by GlaxoSmithKline

Experts have said the drug will be useful in giving people a kick start to their weight loss but it is not a magic pill, has some unpleasant side effects and should not be seen as a quick fix.

Tam Fry, chairman of the Child Growth Foundation and board member of the National Obesity Forum, warned that there is ‘huge potential’ for the drug to be misused and said under no circumstances should it be given to children.

He said: “Adults could get alli by going through the consultation themselves and give it to their children and that is totally wrong, there is huge potential for that to happen.”

The drug prevents the absorption of around 25 per cent of fat in food and carries it from the body, so there is concern that if children took it they would lose vital vitamin D which is needed for healthy bones.

alli, made by GlaxoSmithKline, is licensed for adults with a body mass index (divide weight by height squared) of 28 or more. It contains 60mg of orlistat, which is the name of the higher dose prescription-only version.

Glenys Jones, who holds a degree and masters in nutrition and works at the Medical Research Council’s Human Nutrition Research centre at Cambridge University, said: “It is not a magic pill, if you don’t make the changes it won’t do it for you. You must follow a low-fat diet with it and by doing that some people will become more aware of what they are eating and make the changes needed to sustain the weight loss. We need to make sure that pharmacists are properly trained to make sure people have the right BMI and receive the advice about healthy eating and exercise as well as the side effects.”

She said it should be used for at least three months which made it quite expensive.

A spokesman for the National Pharmacy Association said pharmacists have been through ‘robust’ training from GlaxoSmithKline.

John Turk, NPA Chief Executive said: “Our members report that many people seek advice from pharmacists on how best they can lose weight. By making orlistat a pharmacy medicine, pharmacists now have a new way of encouraging safe, steady and sustained weight loss in the general public.”

James Hallatt, General Manager GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare UK, said: “Obesity and overweight are a major concern of our society and people need help. alli offers a clinically proven way to help people lose weight. alli is not a magic bullet – users must be committed to weight loss; alli, when added to a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet, can help people lose 50% more weight than dieting alone. alli launched in the US in June 2007 and has been well received by millions of people, we are very excited about the opportunity to help overweight people in the UK achieve their weight loss goals.”

by Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor
Telegraph.co.uk

The announcement on the new drug (which only needs to be taken once a week) sent Amylin shares up as much as 19 percent on Tuesday, while shares of Lilly, the much larger drugmaker, were 2 percent higher.

Amylin is hoping to file for regulatory approval of once weekly Byetta by the end of the second quarter. The currently approved version of Byetta available in the market is typically injected twice a day.

The 26-week study comprising 491 patients compared Byetta LAR, also known as exenatide once weekly, with maximum doses of Merck & Co Inc’s Januvia, known chemically as sitagliptin, and pioglitazone, sold under the brand name Actos by Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.

The type 2 diabetes patients taking Byetta LAR experienced a reduction in A1C ( a measure of average blood sugar) over three months of 1.7 percentage points from baseline, compared to a reduction of 1.0 percentage point for Januvia and 1.4 percentage points for Actos, according to Amylin.

These results of the DURATION-2 trial were deemed to be statistically significant.

“Today’s data confirm the superiority of exenatide LAR, which has only been assumed to this date, but not tested head- to-head versus existing oral therapies,” Lazard Capital Markets analyst Matthew Osborne wrote in a recent research note.

“We believe data from DURATION-3 trial comparing exenatide LAR versus Lantus could show similar superiority, or at least similar A1C, but with greater weight loss,” Osborne said. The drug Lantus is sold by French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA.

In addition to its advantage in blood sugar control, the Byetta patients also lost an average of 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg) at 26 weeks compared with a loss of 1.9 pounds (0.9 kg) for Januvia and a weight gain of 7.4 pounds (3.4 kg) for Actos.

Weight loss is a very desirable side effect for diabetes treatments as obesity is one of the leading causes of the disease and some drug treatments, such as Actos, can cause weight gain. Patients who took part in this study were generally not obese, which makes the weigh loss even more significant.

“A once-weekly therapy that helps patients achieve A1C targets, with the added benefits of weight loss and no major hypoglycemia, could provide patients with an important option to improve their diabetes care,” Dr Richard Bergenstal, executive director of the International Diabetes Center, said in a statement.

During the 26-week study, the most frequently reported adverse effects amongst Byetta LAR users were nausea and diarrhea, which was similar to Januvia. Upper respiratory tract infections and peripheral edema were the most frequently reported adverse effects reported by those taking Actos in the study.

There were no cases of pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, seen with Byetta LAR patients in the study, which should be viewed as very good news as Byetta carries a warning about rare cases of the condition. Any cases of panceatitus that crop up in Byetta LAR studies could arouse extra scrutiny from health regulators making an approval decision.

Living with Type II Diabetes?

Well a group of British scientists have now devised an online tool for calculating your risk of developing diabetes type 2.

QDScore Results

The research was based on the medical records of more than 2.5 million people, who did not have diabetes to begin with, over a 15 year period. The researchers were able to identify nine significant risk facytors, viz; age, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, socioeconomic level, family history of diabetes, diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and use of steroid drugs.

They were able to attach a relative importance or weighting to each of these factors and incorporate them into a formula or algorithm that is able to predict the risk of Type 2 diabetes for a 10-year projection.

Living with Type II Diabetes?

There is an interactive Web version of the algorithm available at www.qdscore.org. Dr. Julia Hippisley-Cox, the lead author, said that although two of its features – postal code and ethnicity – were specific to Great Britain, the algorithm will still "give you a fairly accurate notion anyway," even without specifying those two factors.

Dr. Hippisley-Cox, who is a professor of epidemiology at Nottingham University, also stated that those people who find they have a high risk, should make weight loss and exercise essential. "Those are the interventions that have been tested," she said. "If you play around with the obesity measure, you can see how your risk will change if you lose weight."

Whilst QDScore is intended for use in the UK, it has not been accepted as yet for clinical use. All medical decisions need to be taken by a patient in consultation with their doctor. The authors and the sponsors accept no responsibility for clinical use or misuse of this score.

With over 25% of the population taking statin medications – and with many being urged to do so preventatively – thoracic surgeon Dr. Dwight Lundell’s new book, “The Great Cholesterol Lie” could not be released at a more important time.

The need for this information is greater than ever as indicated by a recent on-line promotion of the book that brought sales throughout the USA and in 17 countries worldwide.

Dr. Lundell’s new book is based on his vast experience as a cardiac surgeon who performed over 5,000 open-heart surgeries spanning a quarter of a century. Says Dr. Lundell, “Most of the surgeries could have been easily prevented had the patients been given the right information about what causes heart disease.”

Much of the conventional wisdom in treating heart disease is based on a study that lacked scientific fact known as the “The Framingham Study” that began in 1948. This group of scientists and researches believed they stumbled on the cause of heart disease, cholesterol–a theory that has stuck and held throughout six decades despite overwhelming science to the contrary.

As Dr. Lundell states, “It is maddening that medicine has continued to chase and endorse the cholesterol theory while heart diseased continued to soar during my 25 years performing surgeries. I wanted to see heart disease cured rather than patched. By treating inflammation, the heart will heal.”

Dr. Lundell’s book shows how inflammation is responsible for heart disease and numerous other illnesses such as diabetes. It also shows how simple dietary changes and supplements can replace ineffective cholesterol drugs, where to find them, and how to avoid buying so-called “supplements” which are little better than placebos.

The book details how low-fat and no fat foods created from the cholesterol theory are the very foods that are the cause of an epidemic of inflammation and obesity.

He explains foods that cause the greatest harm and foods that reduce inflammation giving heart disease sufferers a new lease on life with the ability to live healthy, energetic and disease-free lives.

He even details an “eating out” guide showing how to eat in restaurants and fast food establishments safely without risking more inflammation.

[relatedposts]

In a recent online-only promotion, “The Great Cholesterol Lie” sold throughout the USA and in 17 countries worldwide. At http://thecholesterollie.com there are rave reviews from grateful readers, many of whom found his book to literally be a life-saver.

Dr. Lundell is now releasing the book worldwide in downloadable form so that its lifesaving advice can be made available to anyone around the world who needs it instantly.

For more information about Dr. Lundell and The Great Cholesterol Lie, please visit http://thecholesterollie.com or visit book blog at http://inflammationawarenessnow.com

You owe it to yourself to at least have a look at this book – it may well be life-changing for you!

Download this FREE PDF Report “Inflammation – The Fire Within” (98kb)

People who slept fewer than six hours a night were more likely to develop a condition that precedes diabetes than those sleeping for longer, they found.

They said the study supported mounting evidence that cutting back on sleep can have a profound impact on health.

The six-year study was presented at a American Heart Association conference.

Cases of type 2 diabetes, which are often, but not always, linked to obesity, have been rising across the globe.

The condition develops when the body makes too much insulin, but does not use the hormone efficiently to break down sugar in the blood.

A stepping stone on the way to the condition is known as impaired fasting glucose, in which blood sugar levels are too high, but not high enough to constitute a diagnosis of diabetes.

A team from the University of Buffalo, in New York, followed a group of volunteers over a six-year period.

They found those who slept on average for fewer than six hours a night during the working week were 4.56 times more likely to develop impaired fasting glucose than those sleeping six to eight hours a night.

Lead researcher Dr Lisa Rafalson said: “This study supports growing evidence of the association of inadequate sleep with adverse health issues.”

Complex area
Dr Rafalson said it was likely that hormones and the nervous system were behind the link.

“Our findings will hopefully spur additional research into this very complex area of sleep and illness,” she said.

A recent study suggested that taking regular lunchtime siestas could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said there was a mounting body of evidence linking lack of sleep to conditions such as diabetes.

However, he said the reasons remained unclear, although it was possible that lack of sleep raised the risk of putting on weight, which in turn could raise the risk of diabetes.

“There is some evidence that lack of sleep mucks up our appetite hormones, so you want to eat more, and eat the wrong things – when we are tired we tend to crave sugary foods.

“A good night’s sleep is a biological necessity: your body wants and needs a good night’s sleep every night, and if you are well rested you will get a lot more done during the day.”

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, said the study was too small to draw any firm conclusions.

However, he said the findings echoed previous studies which found there might be a link between disturbed sleep patterns and a raised risk of type 2 diabetes.

But he added: “When it comes to discussing major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, issues with sleep duration will remain less significant than other established risk factors such as being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family.”

From BBC News

Living with Type II Diabetes?

Exactly what is the Mediterranean diet and can it help you lose weight? There actually is no ‘Mediterranean’ diet – it’s a compilation of the way that people in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea eat. Despite the differences in actual specifics, all of those studied based their diets on the same proportions of food groups and calories, and all included olive oil as their main source of fat. In fact, their diets contained far more than the recommendations made by the USDA – 40% rather than the 30% recommended for most healthy Americans. Still, the evidence was irrefutable. Therefore, it must have been the KIND of carbohydrates and fats that make the difference.

The typical Mediterranean day includes walking rather than driving, physical activity in the fields or the home and recreationThe Mediterranean diet consists of the following guidelines:

60% Of Total Carbohydrates From Grains, Fruits And Vegetables

Those include whole rice, fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain breads and cereals, polenta, pasta (made with whole grain, not refined white flour)

Sparing Use of Red Meat, Fish And Poultry
The typical adult Mediterranean consumes about 15 ounces of red meat and poultry per week. Another 5-15 ounces of fish per week account for the bulk of their meat protein intake. Compare that to the typical American diet which might include a 1 pound steak for dinner one night, a 1/2 pound chicken breast the next, and on and on.

Olive Oil
Olive oil is not a miracle oil. It is, however, mono-unsaturated – a good fat. Mono-unsaturated fats help lower cholesterol rather than raising it, and are healthy ways to add fats to your diet (and yes, even though we think of fat as a dirty word, your body does need some, or it can’t use many of the vitamins you feed it!)

The other important component of the Mediterranean lifestyle was activity. The typical Mediterranean day includes walking rather than driving, physical activity in the fields or the home and recreation. Physical activity is vital in helping the body to lose weight, and to maintain your new weight once you reach it.

The secret to losing weight with the Mediterranean diet is to base your meals on healthy carbohydrates – leafy green vegetables, brightly colored vegetables, whole grains and meals. Use meat sparingly – no more than 3-6 ounces per day. Derive dietary fat from vegetable sources – or from fish oil. Exercise regularly to rev up your metabolism. The Mediterranean diet isn’t a weight loss regimen. It’s a new way of eating that will help you reach your goal weight and stay there when you get there.