Is BMI enough to assess heart disease risk? Research shows belly fat is a better predictor. Learn why waist-to-hip ratios provide a clearer health picture.
Research shows women with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes experience significantly more intense physical menopause symptoms like hot flashes and joint pain.
New research suggests using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic before bariatric surgery does not significantly boost weight loss outcomes a year later.
Health 'maxxing' trends like protein or fiber optimization can lead to digestive issues and nutritional imbalances. Learn why a balanced approach is safer.
Environmental enteropathy is linked to socioeconomic status. Chronic gut damage and systemic immune activation are key drivers of disease severity in adults.
Research shows that regular stair climbing is linked to a 39% lower risk of cardiovascular death. Learn how this simple habit improves heart health.
Learn how to manage puberty, understand genetic links to cancer, choose walkable communities, and utilize digital tools for mental health screenings.
Complex case management is a personalized, interdisciplinary process for navigating health and legal systems. Learn how it is defined and why it matters.
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria found in warm coastal waters. Learn how to protect yourself from infection through proper wound care and food safety.
Learn how the GOLDEN prediction model uses viral kinetics to identify chronic hepatitis B patients most likely to achieve a functional cure through therapy.
Mobile markets and nutrition vouchers help address rural food deserts. Learn how these programs improve access to fresh produce and impact health outcomes.
Understand how federal executive orders regarding childhood vaccine schedules interact with state laws and evidence-based pediatric clinical guidelines.
Colorectal cancer is rising in adults under 50. Learn why you should not ignore symptoms like rectal bleeding or bowel changes, regardless of your age.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic may influence mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and 'food noise.' Learn what the latest research says.
The FDA has approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older. Learn how this technology works and how it compares to traditional flu shots.
Splitting the MMR vaccine is logistically complex and medically unnecessary. Learn why health experts and manufacturers oppose changing current standards.
A withdrawal from the WHO signifies a shift in global health governance. Understand the legal, financial, and security implications of this transition.
New research suggests Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may lower the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes.
Yes, belly fat—specifically visceral fat—is more dangerous because it surrounds your vital organs and is metabolically active. It releases inflammatory chemicals that increase the risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, and stroke compared to subcutaneous fat stored under the skin.
To measure correctly, stand upright and place a measuring tape around your abdomen at the level of your navel or just above your hip bones. Ensure the tape is snug but not digging into the skin, and take the measurement after breathing out normally.
Yes, it is possible to have a normal BMI and still carry excessive visceral fat, a condition sometimes referred to as 'normal weight obesity.' This creates a false sense of security, as your internal metabolic health may be compromised despite your weight appearing to be in a healthy range.
Reducing your waist-to-hip ratio requires a combination of strength training to build lean muscle and aerobic exercise to burn visceral fat. Additionally, limiting refined sugars and increasing dietary fiber can help decrease the specific fat deposits stored around your midsection.
Current research does not definitively prove that type 2 diabetes causes menopause to start earlier. However, the metabolic changes associated with diabetes can make the symptoms experienced during the transition more intense, which may lead some women to perceive the transition as more difficult or prolonged.