Weight Management

During the day, the hormones and overall metabolic processes in our bodies are better prepared to handle the food we consume than if we eat later in the evening when our so-called 'body clock' is preparing for rest. Although this body clock may vary slightly from person to person, the suggestion of avoiding eating after 8 p.m. is, broadly speaking, a good way to ensure that eating happens before our metabolism begins to wind down for the night.

For older adults struggling with obesity, its a bit of a catch-22 that weight loss may speed up age-related loss of muscle and bone mass (lean tissue). That could worsen physical ability and contribute to frailty. The solution? "Exercise is important to help preserve muscle and bone mass during weight loss and to further improve physical function," says Dennis T. Villareal, MD, at Baylor College of Medicine and lead author of a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Could carrying a little extra weight protect you from an early death - perhaps by giving you an energy reserve if you fall ill? Past studies have suggested this might be the case, but new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine challenges this thinking.

Theres no need to shun the sugars in whole fruits. In a study of 4,908 Australians, those with dietary patterns characterized by higher intakes of fruit were 12% less likely to be obese than those with lower fruit intakes. But, people who had a diet higher in sugary soft drinks and chocolate were about 9% more likely to be obese.

Dislike healthy foods like legumes (beans)? Maybe you just haven't eaten them enough. "A primary factor that determines whether people like a food or not is their previous exposure to the food - in other words, if it's a regular part of their diet," says Megan McCrory, PhD, a clinical associate professor of nutrition at Boston University and senior author of a new study on the topic in the journal Foods.

It's all too common for people to go on weight loss diets but give up because their appetite is surging. Sadly, many people regain much of the weight theyve worked so hard to lose. It may not be due to weak willpower, though. Rather, your body may be producing powerful signals to tell you to eat. How you go about weight loss could make an important difference.

Seeing you're down several pounds or finding your clothes are fitting looser may sound like a good thing - but not when you aren't trying to lose weight. Unwanted weight loss is of special concern in aging since it could point to an undiagnosed illness, leave you prone to infections or decrease your independence.

Grapefruit as a weight loss wonder is a bit of an urban legend, and scientific evidence to support it is scarce. A recent systematic review on the topic included three moderate-quality clinical trials with a total of 250 obese men and women.

There's a lot to like about spuds. They're super-versatile, satisfying, affordable and store well. Yet, there's concern this dietary staple may be bad for your blood sugar, heart and weight.

Physical activity tends to dip in bad weather. Skipping exercise for long stretches could cheat your health. "Maintaining your fitness level through regular exercise confers a multitude of benefits ranging from improved insulin sensitivity to better cognitive health," says Jennifer Sacheck, PhD, an associate professor at Tufts' Friedman School. "Exercise simply should be part of your routine - rain or shine and in cold or warm weather." If the season weakens your resolve to exercise,…