Tag Archives: Behavior Change

Doctors, Weight and Tough Conversations

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Has your primary care doc ever talked with you about whether your weight is healthy or not?

Now authors of a new study say that conversation is less likely to happen if your doctor is overweight or obese. One key finding was that overweight and obese doctors were less likely to discuss weight with patients than were doctors with a healthy BMI.

But I found another statistic even more alarming: Even among the healthy BMI doctors, only 30% reported discussing weight with obese patients.

The health risks associated with obesity are clear – including increased risk for many cancers. So why aren’t doctors doing more to help their patients?

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Lifting Weights to Beat Cancer: Carla’s Story

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Carla and her two children

All of us at AICR are grateful to the people who make our vital work possible. Many of our donors are living AICR’s message every day — and are actively advocating for cancer prevention lifestyles in their communities.

Our donors run, bike and even hike to raise money for cancer prevention research and awareness. Now, for the first time, one of them is throwing her support behind AICR and our mission by lifting weights.

Meet Carla, one of our current special events donors.  She’s using her personal fitness goals to raise funds for cancer research and to build awareness for health, fitness and cancer prevention.

After the birth of her second child, Carla found herself at 200 pounds. She decided to embark on a journey to lose weight and improve her health. During this time, several loved ones, including her dear friend Sue, passed away from cancer. These losses hit Carla hard, but she harnessed that sadness and recommitted herself to her journey in their honor. Continue reading →


Lunch Lessons: New School Meals Promote Better Eating

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When children learn to play piano or tennis, they need to actually put their fingers on the keys or pick up the racket and swing. Just telling them how to play won’t translate into a sonata or a good backhand.

Adopting healthy eating habits is no different. It requires practice at school as well as at home. And because many children eat breakfast and lunch at school, the USDA’s new standards for school meals will make a health difference for millions of American children.

As a Registered Dietitian I am thrilled with these new standards. I’ve seen many kids and adults alike learn to like new fruits, vegetables and whole grains when they try them over and over and prepare them in different ways. So, exposure to healthy food at home and at school is one important step toward healthier children and, as they grow into adulthood, fewer cancer cases.

Here’s how the new rules improve school lunches:

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