Obesity in adolescents not only be related to lack of exercise and a diet high in calories. According to a recent study, a bad relationship with the mother during childhood may also increase the risk that these children are obese as they grow. Do you have children? Well you should keep reading.

Childhood obesity is a sure path to an adolescent, a youth and adult health problems. Helping your children to fight or prevent it from a young age is not a matter of vanity or coquetry, but to prevent a problem that affects the entire body and can cause conditions that previously only of concern to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression, asthma and other respiratory diseases, skin infections, liver problems and the list goes on.

Most worrisome is that obesity increasingly takes over more of our children. According to figures provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thanks to the results of two surveys conducted between 1976 and 1980, the first, and between 2003 and 2006, the second, the weight gain in children has been dramatic: among children 2 to 5 years of age increased from 5% to 12.4% among children 6 to 11 years, from 6.5% to 17% and among adolescents aged 12 to 19, from 5% to 17.6%.

Obesity is the result of an imbalance between calories consumed and energy expended, meaning that occurs because you eat too much and exercise little. But these are not the only cause: there are other factors that contribute to weight gain, such as genetics and customs.

Being Hispanic or Latino, for example, have an increased genetic risk of suffering from obesity. But the children eat what their parents give them, so the food habits and family are also very important (and help fight this genetic predisposition): you have the power to control your children’s access to foods that do not Okay, so you should try to fill the pantry with nutritious food.

Physical inactivity or lack of physical activity is another factor that helps to weight gain. Studies show that children and teens spend too much time watching television and movies and playing video games.

Sometimes there may also be psychological factors that stimulate the child to overeat, such as emotional problems, depression or boredom. And this adds a new factor: the relationship with the mother during the first years of life, which apparently can influence obesity in adolescence. If so, love and affection can become new weapons to combat childhood obesity.

This data comes from a new study by researchers at Ohio State University, USA, which analyzed data from hundreds of families living in nine U.S. states, who had children who were born in 1991, collected National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

In this study, which appears in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics, the risk of obesity in children at 15 years was higher among those who had an emotional relationship of lower quality with their mothers when they were children. In particular, over 25 percent of young children who had the lowest quality relationships with their mothers were obese in adolescence, and only 13 percent of those with closer ties with their mothers in their early years life showed this problem as a teenager.

According to the researchers, these findings and earlier indicate that the risk of developing obesity may be affected by brain areas that control emotions and responses to stress, that work in conjunction with that control appetite and energy balance.

In this sense, is not only important to encourage children to exercise and help them maintain a healthy diet. The affection and a strong bond between mother and child (a) also can be key when your children take care not collect kilos or pounds.

Wondering what happens to you that despite almost obsessively take care with food and exercise twice a week you are unable to lose weight or do it very slowly? Is it hard to understand why that friend who keeps taking soft drinks (sodas, soft drinks) and eating chips and chocolates is kept so thin, even without doing gymnastics?

The answer is that, in addition to diet and exercise, there are other factors causing obesity which in general is poorly understood. If you are the type who spends dieting for weight control, here are some facts that might interest you: 7 factors that can increase your weight, not related to food.

1. The lifestyle of the mothers. Children with mothers who work hard tend to be more obese than those whose mothers are more time at home, dealing with homework and home care. The same occurs with children who were conceived by older mothers during pregnancy or consumed many foods high in fat.

2. Childhood. Children who underwent surgery of the tonsils (tonsillitis are also called in some countries) tend to gain weight after the operation. Likewise, those who contracted a type of cold virus called adenovirus 36 as children, tend to be overweight as adults.

3. Genes. Scientists continue to find and discovered certain genes that are associated with obesity. In this case, the weight gain is related to issues of inheritance.

4. Environment. Some research has shown that living exposed to certain pollutants and pesticides can help increase obesity.

5. The air-conditioning. People living in air-conditioned environments do not need your body to make any effort to stay cooler or warmer. In such cases, some research also showed that there is a tendency to obesity.

6. Sleep. People who do not sleep well or rest may gain weight poorly, and those who leave the light on at night. This is because lack of sleep can cause various hormonal changes and to stimulate appetite and increase fatigue, which will avoid exercise.

7. Drugs. Some medications can cause weight gain, such as some that are used to control diabetes, hypertension or depression, among others.

Are you wondering what all these things can be that you are complicating the diet? Do not be discouraged, the key is always to maintain a healthy diet accompanied by exercise routine, not only to keep the shape but also to live healthier.

But if you see that this does not help with the kilos or pounds, and you care about, please consult your doctor so you can help with a treatment that suits your needs. He or she can guide you about the factors that sabotage your weight loss campaign.

Just knowing you have cancer can take away your appetite or, conversely, do not you stop eating. Possibly, since you received your diagnosis and your priorities have changed your way of seeing the world is no longer the same. It can not be again. This is natural, but is only part of the changes you will notice throughout this process.

The disease and treatment may cause new sensations, not only physical but also emotional, but sometimes annoying, and if not you offer the necessary care can become a problem, something no one wants to happen, when the cancer and is a revolution in itself for your life.

Therefore, it is important to talk a lot with Your health care provider, to clear all your doubts and can advise you properly according to your needs, as though each patient is different and the symptoms that each are individuals, not hurts to know what things can happen to you to be prepared and know how to act, if they happen.

In general, all people with cancer need to eat differently, because the disease causes the body to use more energy and, depending on where the tumor is located and how advanced, can lead to lack of some nutrients and weight loss or muscle mass.

Other times, the disease is not causing problems with the food but the treatment, whether chemotherapy medicines, surgery or radiotherapy. But do not panic, each treatment is unique and, like disease, the effects it has on each individual, are also different.

Some have no problems eating at this stage and, conversely, some people experience nausea and vomiting, difficulty chewing and swallowing, changes in tastes and rejection of certain foods, among other discomforts.

The important thing is to know that all these things can be controlled and even that there are medicines that accompany cancer treatment, to protect your stomach and help prevent or lessen the effects. So be sure to talk with your doctor if the treatment becomes a problem for you to help find a solution to your discomfort.

In parallel, there are some simple changes you can implement to stay strong and cope with cancer. Remember that your body is using more energy than usual, and so, so far as you know a healthy diet may no longer be enough for you.

For example, for most people, a healthy meal includes eating lots of fruits and vegetables with cereals and bread, limiting the amount of meat as well as the amount of fat, sugar, alcohol and salt. But if you have cancer, you may need to add more protein and more calories to your diet. Ideally be checking with a nutritionist or registered dietitian, to help you formulate a specific diet that suits your needs, medications you are taking and, if applicable, their side effects.

Also if you have trouble chewing and / or swallowing, you should probably add soups, shakes and protein foods pureed facts, that no missing nutrients to your body. Good nutrition is important to keep your energy and muscle mass.

If treatment is what we will not let you eat normally, in addition to the recommendations or medications you doctor suggests, you can help your stomach by eating smaller portions but more often, leaning back after every meal to make good digestion, preventing strong odors and spicy foods and drinking plenty of fluids such as water, natural fruit juices or tea (as with food, it is best to take drinks in small amounts throughout the day and not all at once).

Remember it is important to talk to your doctor about the inconvenience you have and you should not be afraid about it, is important to address your concerns and your needs. Good nutrition will help you be strong to fight against cancer. With care and attention they need, you can minimize the unwanted effects of treatment and have more energy to win the battle against cancer.

Recognize and seek help to treat depression. Men get depressed over what is identified and their reactions are different and may not be as obvious. For example they can use to spend much time watching TV, drinking too much alcohol, having trouble sleeping, changes in mood or sexual disinterest. Moreover, statistics indicate that while women attempt suicide generally not achieve it, men go straight to the point. So the death rate from suicide is higher in them.

It is important to consider your risk of cardiovascular disease (CHD) could be higher. This is the main problem in men, including the risk of heart attacks and heart disease is higher than in women. To reduce your risk: avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet, if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, do exercises regularly (at least 30 minutes daily), maintain a healthy weight, realize an annual checkup, and if necessary, take the medications that your doctor recommends to control your cholesterol, your blood pressure or your diabetes.

Finally, if you have discomfort, pain or have questions about your health, seek professional help from a doctor.Taking care depends on yourself! So get to work you still have much to live. Make your worth as a man brave, strong and healthy.

- Check blood pressure from age 20. The pressure is considered normal when at 120/80, and is considered high if it is 140/90 or more.

- Check your body mass index (BMI). This is determined by a formula according to your weight and your height. This indicates the percentage of fat in your body says you’re overweight or obese. Being overweight is associated with many health problems, including chronic illnesses. Typically, between 18.5 and 24.5%. Between 25 and 30% are overweight and over 30% are obese.

- Check your level of blood cholesterol at age 20 (if you’re at increased risk: if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure or family history of heart disease) and periodically after 35.
Check your blood sugar in the blood at 20 years if you have high blood pressure, from age 30 if you are at risk, periodically from age 40.

- Screening for HIV, syphilis and other STDs if you are at risk as many times as necessary), but remember the fact that screening be done does not protect you. Limiting the number of sexual partners and using condoms is what protects you.

- Screening for prostate after 40 you’re at higher risk, routinely from 50.

- Screening for colon cancer screening at age 50, sooner if you are at higher risk (if a close relative had cancer of the colon or rectum before age 50).

- Check to rule out abdominal aortic aneurysm: If you are between 65 and 75 years old and have smoked at some point in your life, we recommend a test for the detection of what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a artery, or blood vessel that is in the abdomen (belly) and that in this case is dilated (expanded) abnormally because their walls are weakened. The risk is that if left untreated can explode. If detected, it is treatable.

Have you noticed that if you go down the street is more common to see a group of elderly women to a group of elderly men? Many people have also lost their grandparents males prematurely, and more often than women who are widowed. Why men tend to die earlier?

Various statistics indicate that men are more likely to suffer more chronic diseases, more heart disease and other immune system related, and life expectancy is less than that of women.

Some researchers believe this may be linked to cultural issues because from birth they are saying that “men do not cry.” Then, in general, tend to close and hide their pain, resist going to the doctor, it costs more to talk about their health problems, particularly some as erectile dysfunction (which may be a symptom of more serious illness, as diabetes or heart problems), and so get tested and avoid checkups.

Combined with this, the lifestyle of men tends to be more harmful to health. In general women smoke more, drink more alcohol and tend to lead a less healthy diet than their opposite-sex couples.

Therefore, a real man who boasts of being brave should not be afraid of your medical visit or that should not have courage and dedication to change those bad habits that take away years of life. Would you like to stay healthy longer and live longer? Cheer up!

Some steps you can start considering today are:

- Visit your doctor and talk about your discomfort clear, clear all your doubts and discussed with him or her studies you should realize yourself according to your age, your personal and family history and your symptoms (if you have one).

- Cause weight gain: Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), amitriptyline (Elavil) and Remeron (mirtazapine).
- Weight neutral or cause weight loss: Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Prozac (fluoxetine).

Drugs for disorders of mood

- Among the antipsychotic drugs that cause weight gain: Clozaril (clozapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone) and Seroquel (quetiapine). Also gain weight lithium, valproic acid (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).
- The same applies to some drugs with hormonal effects, such as antipsychotics and steroids, which have effects on the brain and appetite control as a brain function, the patient feels hungry. Some, like Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, causes weight gain nine kilos (20 pounds) or more.

Antihypertensive medications

- Cause weight gain: Lopressor (metoprolol), Tenormin (atenolol), Inderal (propranolol), Norvasc (amlodipine) and clonidine (Catapres).

Corticosteroid medications

- Cause weight gain: prednisone and methylprednisolone, used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and some cancers. Steroids cause the tissue fluids and retain salt and fat accumulation, especially around the trunk. If you think it, talk to your doctor to see if you can take the drug at lower doses, or one day every other. But if that is not possible, you should keep taking it in the indicated doses.

Medications for diabetes

- Cause weight gain, insulin and oral medications such as Actos (pioglitazone) and Amaryl (glimepiride).
- Weight neutral or cause weight loss: Byetta (exenatide), Januvia (sitagliptin), Symlin (pramlintide), Precose (acarbose) and Metformin (Biguanides).

AEDs

- Cause weight gain: Carbamazepine and Neurontin (gabapentin). Possible alternatives are Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topamax (topiramate) and Zonegran (zonisamide). These drugs prevent seizures.
- Some, like Topamax (topiramate) can also cause weight loss).

This information may help you understand why you gained weight since you started your treatment with this medicine in particular. But be warned to walk carefully. As much as contribute to weight gain drugs you need, not tempted to stop taking them when you feel better. Maybe make some changes in your diet can counteract the weight gain. Try, for example, to include more fiber in your diet and more water and reduce the calories, preferably distributing several light meals a day instead of one or two large meals and do not forget the importance of physical activity if not no contraindications in your particular case.

And importantly, do not you reduce the dose or another drug sustituyas one yourself. Fighting obesity is essential to your health, but any changes you make on drugs must be for specific indications of your doctor, talk to him or her. Take this advice to heart!

Many drugs commonly taken to treat chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or mood disorders may have an effect which probably did not count: weight gain.

In the late 90′s, Dr. Lawrence Cheskin (now director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center in Baltimore) conducted an initial study on prescription drugs and obesity. His conclusion: Some drugs are very hungry and lead from the start, a significant weight gain. In others, the changes are less marked, and some even make you lose weight.

But adjusting or changing medications is not always a simple matter. To help make things easier, Ryan Roux, director of pharmacy of the Harris County Hospital District in Houston with his group prepared a list of pharmaceutical drugs that increase the weight and those who are neutral or reduce it.
We share with you the details of that list. Are you taking any of these medications?

In addition to control drugs, other measures to be taken:

1. Your obstetrician and specialist in charge of your asthma treatment must work together and communicate with each other.
2. You have to measure your lung capacity during pregnancy to ensure that the baby is getting enough oxygen. These measurements should be made monthly through tests such as spirometry, to measure and assess the capacity and lung function.
3. After 28 weeks, will begin to monitor the movements of the fetus. If your asthma is uncontrolled or is very severe, recommend ultrasounds from 32 weeks to see if the baby is growing properly.
4. Now more than ever need to avoid things that trigger your attacks (smoke, snuff, pollen, dust mites, cold air) to reduce the attacks and to be able to take the minimum amount of medication.
5. Get a flu shot (influenza) as it becomes available seasonal vaccine. The vaccine poses no risks to your pregnancy and it is recommended that all pregnant women receive.
6. If you already receive injections to control allergies, chances are your doctor tells you that you continue treatment, but is not recommended to start treatment with vaccines during pregnancy.
7. Check with your doctor about what you can take decongestants by mouth and if there are other options.
8. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that the inhaled corticosteroid drug, known as Budesonide, is the safest during pregnancy.
9. Do not change the dose or no medication without consulting your doctor. And do not take any other medications without your permission.

The control and management of your asthma should continue even during labor and later if you breastfeed your child. If the treatment was safe and effective during pregnancy, so it will be during this next stage. Remember that everything you do has repercussions on the life that is formed in you, but all will get along fine if you follow your treatment and your doctor’s advice.

Risks to the mother:

- Hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy.
- Preeclampsia, or toxemia, a condition typical of pregnancy characterized by elevated blood pressure and fluid retention, which can affect the kidneys, liver and cause seizures. It can also affect the placenta, which affects the baby.
- Failure breathing requiring the use of a fan.

The risks for the baby:

- Perinatal mortality (increased risk of death either immediately before or after birth).
- Growth retardation of the baby in the womb.
- Premature birth (before 37 weeks of gestation).
- Low birth weight.

Now you know the consequences. But rather than scare you, use them as motivation to control your asthma. If you do, your pregnancy may continue normally and successfully.

You may wonder that involve risk for asthma medications in your pregnancy. Let’s see. If you use an inhaler, most doctors agree that the amount of medication you receive from an inhaler goes straight into your lungs and is unlikely to harm the baby. If you take oral medications or injections, ask your doctor to make some changes, either in reducing doses to replace medicine or use an inhaler, because oral medications and injections into the bloodstream and some may affect the baby.