American Heart Association reports Sugar-Sweetened Drinks linked to increased Visceral Fat
January 16, 2016
American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day was associated with an increase in a particular type of body fat that may affect diabetes and heart disease risk, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Data from the Framingham Heart Study — federally supported, ongoing research that has advanced the understanding of cardiovascular disease — showed that among middle-aged adults, there was a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat.
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day was associated with an increase in a particular type of body fat that may affect diabetes and heart disease risk.. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association Says New Dietary Guidelines Will Help Establish a Healthier Roadmap for Americans
January 9, 2016
Dallas, TX – The American Heart Association (AHA) applauds the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) on the release of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“The new federal dietary guidelines give Americans more flexibility in their diets without sacrificing their health. By providing a valuable source of nutrition information, the standards are part of a roadmap to help build a ‘culture of health’ in America. This healthier culture will help reduce our risk for heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world,” said Mark Creager, M.D., president of the American Heart Association.
American Heart Association Comments on Sugary Drink Taxes in Mexico
January 8, 2016
The American Heart Association comments on first-year evaluation of implementation of Mexico’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax in 2014.
Dallas, TX – In 2014, Mexico implemented a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages as a step toward reversing the twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity.
A study examining the first-year impact on beverage volume sales in Mexico after tax implementation shows that a tax of one peso per liter decreased the volume of sugary drinks purchased by a significant amount (6% monthly average), while also increasing the volume of healthier drinks purchased (4% monthly average), specifically bottled water.
Sugar-sweetened drinks associated with heart disease and other chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Tennessee Department of Health says Everyone has a role in Diabetes Prevention, Education and Support
November 29, 2015
Nashville, TN – More than 29 million Americans, including more than 600,000 Tennessee adults, have diabetes. It is estimated one in every four people with diabetes does not even know he or she has the disease.
The Tennessee Department of Health is reminding Tennesseans during National Diabetes Month that diabetes is a disease that can be treated, and with some lifestyle changes some individuals can even prevent or reverse the course of the disease.
American Heart Association reports Obese Kids young as age 8 show signs of Heart Disease
November 16, 2015
Orlando, FL – Imaging tests of obese children — some as young as 8 years old — showed signs of significant heart disease and heart muscle abnormalities, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Comparing 20 obese kids with 20 normal-weight kids, researchers found that obesity was linked to 27 percent more muscle mass in the left ventricle of their hearts and 12 percent thicker heart muscles – both signs of heart disease.
Child weighing himself on a scale. (American Heart Association)
Top 10 Gifts your heart will love for American Heart Month
January 30, 2015
Nashville, TN – Want to make your heart all warm and happy? Start with this gift list.
February is American Heart Month. And it’s a good time for the American Heart Association’s list of Top 10 Gifts that you can give to your heart to make it healthy and very, very happy.
While heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of Americans and No. 1 killer in the world, it is 80% preventable through steps we can all take.
February is American Heart Month
American Heart Association gives tips on how to turn Halloween “tricks” into “treats” for your health
October 28, 2013
Nashville, TN – You may think that Halloween “trick or treat” means automatic sugar overload for your kids – but for families who want to control the sugar rush and be health-conscious, even on Halloween: read on!
Pull a Halloween “trick” of your own with these American Heart Association tips and make Halloween into a “treat” that will be better for everyone’s health.
Halloween
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Launches Statewide “Healthier Tennessee” Initiative
August 6, 2013
Newly created foundation to work with local communities to promote health and wellness
Jackson, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced the launch of “Healthier Tennessee,” an initiative to encourage Tennesseans to be more physically active, to eat nutritious foods in healthy portions, and not to use tobacco products.
“Tennessee is one of the best places there is to live, work and raise a family, but we also are one of the least healthy states in the nation,” Haslam said. “Our citizens have high rates of behavior-related diseases such as hypertension and stroke, Type II diabetes, heart disease, and several types of cancer.” [Read more]
American Heart Association reports Heart-Healthy Diet helps Men lower Bad Cholesterol, regardless of Weight Loss
May 12, 2013
Nashville, TN – A heart-healthy diet helped men at high risk for heart disease reduce their bad cholesterol, regardless of whether they lost weight, in a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2013 Scientific Sessions.
The 19 24- to 62-year-old men in the study had metabolic syndrome, which refers to three or more significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The risk factors included in this study were high waist circumference, high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides and fasting glucose and low levels of high density lipoprotein or HDL “good” cholesterol. [Read more]
Blackberry Cobbler – A Southern Summer Classic
May 27, 2012
Nashville, TN – In the rural South, picking wild blackberries is a rite of summer but it isn’t always easy. Getting to the thorny blackberry bushes often involves making your way through briars, brambles and a hoard of chiggers.
Sometimes it hardly seems worth the trouble until you see the delectable blackberry cobbler coming out of the oven or a row of jars filled with blackberry preserves cooling on the counter. [Read more]
