How can I teach my children healthy eating habits?

Posted July 23, 2012

DEAR DOCTOR K: I keep hearing about childhood obesity. What can I do now to make sure my 5- and 7-year-olds learn healthy eating habits?

DEAR READER: You've definitely got the timing right: Now is the time to start. Not only can you establish healthy eating habits, you can also influence the chemistry of your kids' bodies so that they are less likely to get fat as adults. All the talk about childhood obesity is not just media hype. The number of children who are overweight or obese is increasing at an alarming rate.

How do I count calories to lose weight?

Posted July 19, 2012

DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm trying to lose weight. How can I figure out how many calories I should be eating every day?

DEAR READER: Since your weight is influenced both by the number of calories you eat and by the number of calories you burn during your daily activities, let's assume that your daily activities won't change.

Is there a relationship between sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes?

Posted April 13, 2012

DEAR DOCTOR K: I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Then, shortly afterward, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Could the two be related?

DEAR READER: One way they could be related is if you are overweight. The heavier you are, the greater your risk of both conditions. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It usually develops during adulthood among people who are overweight. Being overweight causes your cells to resist the effects of insulin, a hormone that drives sugar (glucose) from the blood into cells.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

Posted November 18, 2011

DEAR DOCTOR K: I keep hearing about the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet. But what IS a Mediterranean diet?

DEAR READER: The "Mediterranean diet" refers to the traditional diet of Greece, Italy and other countries near the Mediterranean Sea. There is a good deal of scientific evidence that the diet has health benefits. The Mediterranean diet consists mostly of plant foods. These include fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Animal protein is consumed chiefly in the forms of fish and poultry. Olive oil is the principal fat. And wine is taken with meals.

Diet and Weight Loss