PROVIDENCE, R.I. – You can train your body, your mind … and your willpower? That’s according to a new study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, who say that with a little practice, it may be possible to strengthen and improve your self-control – and lose more weight The Miriam research team found that individuals with more willpower – or self-control – lost more weight, were more physically active, consumed fewer calories from fat and had better attendance at weight loss group meetings. The same was true for participants who experienced an increase in self-control during a six-month behavioral weight loss treatment program. Results of the study are published online by the journalObesity Research … MORE→

Eating three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may help women reduce their risk of a heart attack by one-third – according to research from the University of East Anglia in collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health. These berries contain high levels of powerful bioactive compounds called anthocyanins, which are a sub-group of dietary flavonoids. Research published today in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Associationshows that these anthocyanins may help dilate arteries, counter the build-up of plaque and provide other cardiovascular benefits. Scientists from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health (US) studied 93,600 women aged between 25 and 42 who were registered with the Nurses’ Health Study II. The women completed questionnaires about … MORE→

Current standards for classifying foods as “whole grain” are inconsistent and, in some instances, misleading, according to a new study released by the Harvard School of Public Health. Researchers found that grain products with the Whole Grain Stamp, a widely-used front-of-package symbol, were higher in fiber and lower in trans fats, but also contained significantly more sugar and calories compared to products without the Stamp. Along with the Stamp, researchers assessed four other industry and government guidelines for whole grain products — any whole grain as the first listed ingredient; any whole grain as the first ingredient without added sugars in the first three ingredients; the word “whole” before any grain anywhere in the ingredient list; and the “10:1 ratio.” … MORE→

“Losing weight is one of the top resolutions made every year, yet only 20 percent of people achieve successful weight-loss and maintenance,” says Jessica Bartfield,MD, internal medicine who specializes in nutrition and weight management. Despite that fact that two-thirds of Americans say they are on a diet to improve their health, very few are actually decreasing in size. “Dieting is a skill, much like riding a bicycle, and requires practice and good instruction, “ says Dr. Bartfield. “You’re going to fall over and feel frustrated, but eventually you will succeed and it will get easier.” Top Four Reasons Why Dieters Don’t Lose Weight According to Dr. Bartfield, here are the top four reasons why many dieters fail to lose weight. … MORE→