Efficacy of a school-based childhood obesity intervention program in a rural southern community: TEAM Mississippi Project.

A healthy lifestyle school-based obesity intervention was evaluated in a rural southern community where the rate of obesity ranks as the highest. School-age children (N = 450) ranging from 6 to 10 years of age (Mage = 8.34) participated in monthly physical activity and nutritional events during a 9-month academic year.

Addressing disparities in cardiovascular risk through community-based interventions.

Cardiovascular diseases account for a significant portion of deaths and healthcare costs in the United States. Women from ethnic minorities and rural areas carry a disproportionately higher burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Many factors contribute to this persistent disparity: a comparatively low level of awareness especially among the at-risk populations, increased prevalence of cardiovascular risks linked to the obesity epidemic, and inconsistent levels of screening and treatment of cardiovascular risks.

The effect of obesity surgery on obesity comorbidity.

Obesity is epidemic in the modern world. It is becoming increasingly clear that obesity is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and renal disease, as well as a host of other comorbidities. There are at present no generally effective long-term medical therapies for obesity.

A clinician's approach to medical management of obesity.

Obesity is pandemic in the modern world and continues to increase at an alarming rate, with great human and economic consequences. While bariatric surgery has been gaining popularity and acceptance as an effective way to achieve massive weight loss, it remains an option only for the extremely obese. For the millions of overweight and moderately obese individuals, the cornerstone of obesity treatment remains lifestyle and behavioral modifications in diet and physical activity.

Quality of care in diabetes: understanding the guidelines.

We are in the midst of a global pandemic of diabetes. Despite the increasing burden of the disease, measurements of quality repeatedly show poor adherence to or implementation of current guidelines for diabetes care. This article will provide a brief review of the most significant randomized controlled clinical trials relevant to the current guidelines and then discuss essential treatment goals and the evidence that supports them.

An internist's update on cholesterol management.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States. It is now well established that cholesterol is an important, reversible risk factor for CHD. This article provides a brief background on classification of the dyslipidemias, then discusses current recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Phytoestrogens: a viable option?

Estrogen replacement therapy is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the United States by traditional medical professionals. Over the past decade, the market for complementary/ alternative therapies for hormone replacement has dramatically increased. Women are seeking more "natural" alternatives to treat menopausal symptoms.

Hormone replacement therapy and coronary heart disease in women: a review of the evidence.

It is well documented that coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in women-especially postmenopausal women. The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in prevention of CHD has been considered for many years. Early epidemiological studies suggested estrogen to have a potential cardioprotective role, noting that premenopausal women have a decreased risk of developing CHD compared with men.

Asthma: a brief overview.

Asthma, a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by reversible airway obstruction, is a substantial health problem without regard for age, gender, or ethnicity. Guidelines have been established to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations to assist in the diagnosis and management of asthma. This review offers a brief overview of the current understanding of the pathogenesis and definition of asthma, the diagnosis and classification of asthma, and the pharmacologic therapy of asthma in adults.