The research is clear on one thing – lack of sleep quality can negatively impact your weight and body composition. How so? When you don’t sleep enough, you release more cortisol and that does undesirable things to your body composition by increasing visceral abdominal fat and breaking down muscle tissue.
Tiny but very active bacteria that live in your intestines play a role in controlling body weight. The good news? New research shows you can favorably alter the composition of these bacteria by changing your diet. Find out how gut bacteria impact your body weight and how it might be possible to select for ones that reduce the risk of obesity.
Still obsessing about a number on the scale? Some women make it their goal to get “thin.” Find out why thin isn’t always healthy and why the number on the scale isn’t a good indicator of your overall health.
Most people equate ideal body weight with health and being overweight and obese with a greater risk for health problems – but what about overweight and obese people who are physically fit? Does being physically fit offset some of the risks of being overweight or obese? Find out what research shows about this issue.
Some of the bacteria in your intestines you want to keep around because they help with digestion and may protect against certain types of infections. Now a new study shows that certain types of probiotic bacteria can impact fat loss. Find out more about this intriguing study and the role bacteria may play in controlling body weight.
The scale isn’t always a good indicator of how healthy you are, and it says nothing about your level of fitness. Find out why this is and two better measures of whether you have a healthy body composition.
Can tiny bacteria that make their home in your intestines make it easier to control your weight? Find out what new research shows about gut bacteria and the role they play in weight gain and obesity.
Genetics and lifestyle habits are factors that affect how much you weight, but your personality may play a role too. People with certain personality traits may be at higher risk for weight gain. Find out more about the link between personality type and body weight.
MET values are a useful way to monitor the intensity of your activities and determine roughly how many calories you burn while doing them. Find out more about MET values and how they can help your workout.
