The first study, “Factor Contributing to the Facial Aging of Identical Twins” published in final form in the April 2009 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age. In this study, divorce and antidepressant use associated with a significantly older appearance. Interestingly in twins who were less than 40 years old, the heavier twin was perceived as being older, while in those groups over 40 years old, the heavier twin appeared younger.

Watch the video clip (after the ad) from the LA Station about this new study, factors such as smoking, sun exposure, stress and dieting play a role in the aging process.

Factors affecting Aging:

• Divorce
• Stress
• Sun Exposure
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Weight Gain – varies depending on the age

You can watch another report from ABC news at their website.

Resources

Salamone G. October 2009. Study of identical twins reveals how habits like smoking and tanning can dramatically age skin. NY Daily News.
Cloud J. February 2009. Twins and Aging: How Not to Look Old. Time.com
Press Release. February 2009. Divorce, Antidepressants, or Weight Gain/Loss Can Add Years to Your Face: ASPS Twins Study Finds Environmental Factors Trump Genetics in Facial Aging. Press Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Ellen featured several “plus” sized models on her show from an upcoming Glamour Magazine will feature a pictorial for October on plus-sized (anything over a size 6) models. Ellen Tweeted about the interview:

These girls are considered “plus sized”, which is crazy.

I think a better term is “normal sized.” Or just “beautiful.”

This move towards featuring more normal sized women is very welcome, considering that the average sized woman is a closer to a size 12 – 14, not a size 0 – 4 seen in the fashion magazines.  These plus-size models are proving that not all models have to be super skinny to be super sexy.

In addition Glamour Magazine Editor, Cindi Lieve, pledged that they will be featuring a wider range of women in their pages than has traditionally been featured.

Let’s hope the trend continues.

More info:

Glamour Magazine’s Normal-Sized Models. October 2009. The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Field. G. September 2009. These Bodies are Beautiful at Every Size. Glamour.
Odell A. October 2009. Glamour Delivers More Plus-Size Nude Models. N.Y. Magazine.

More about Hungry Girl
Hungry Girl, a.k.a. Lisa Lillien is not a nutritionist, she’s just hungry and the founder of Hungry-girl.com. Her daily emails filled with containing guilt-free recipes, food and product reviews, dieting news and nutrition shockers are received by over half a million subscribers fans.

According to reports for Tyra Banks, what began as a game, a a three month “get fit, get healthy challenge” with seven of her friends has turned into a new lifestyle for her. As noted in the Video clip below, she felt conflicted and decided to say something about her weight loss after the media started to notice:

“The media started taking notice and showing pictures of before and after of me losing weight, and I felt kind of exposed because I wasn’t trying to proclaim to the world, ‘I got fit and I got healthy and I got in shape,’ because I felt kind of conflicted especially after the ‘Kiss my fat ass’ thing,” she says. “It’s still fat by the way.”

As part of the change, Tyra bought an elliptical machine and started exercising while watching Sex and the City. According to People.com Tyra says she:

“…got rid of one of my couches in my living room and I watched Sex and The City episodes on the treadmill or the elliptical. “o Sex and the City lasts 30 minutes – that’s how long I’m on the elliptical.

In addition the started writing down every single thing she ate making her more aware of the calories she consumed especially while eating out.

Key Points to her lifestyle changes:

• Getting off the couch, by getting rid of it
• Exercising
• Tracking calories
• Having fun doing it
• Being accountable to friends about getting healthy

Congratulations on the weight loss and for also setting a healthy example.

Sources:

Parks M. September 2009. Sex and the City Helped Tyra Banks Lose Weight. People.com
Tyra Sheds Pounds — and Furniture! September 2009. Extra TV.
SATC Helped Tyra Banks Shape Up. September 2009. FitSugar.com
Tyra Banks Shows Off Buff New Arms. US Magazine.

More:

Dyer KA. 2008. Tyra Banks Retort on “Fat” Comments. Nutrition and Wellness Blog.

Things you can do to prevent getting the H1N1 flu:

• Wash your hands.
• Cover a cough with a sleeve.
• Don’t touch your face with your hands.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Get enough sleep.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.

Make sure you know what is going on with the flu on campus. Be watching for when the vaccines become available.

More information:

Dyer KA. How to Prevent Getting H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu.

The presentation has gotten a lot of views and downloads, but not a lot of votes for the contest.

This presentation was developed as a patient and student education resource for younger students, high school students, college students and adult patients. In the presentation the common steps that people should follow to life a healthy life are included.

More Information:
Dyer K. Be Healthy 4 Life. Squidoo.com

Woman Challenge is a part of the Office on Women’s Health year-long Woman Activity Tracker program. The challenge runs from May 10 through July 4, 2009. It is a way to get women involved, thinking about their health.

The Challenge kicks off the 10th annual National Women’s Health Week (May 10-16, 2009).

Goals of The Woman Challenge – 8 Weeks for Better Health

The Woman Challenge encourages women to

• Get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week.
• Including muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days of each week.

What Does the Women Challenge Include?

According to the Women Challenge Website:

Each week that you meet or exceed your personal physical activity goals, you will receive a virtual Woman Challenge Trophy. Earn 8 trophies in 8 weeks and receive a certificate of completion! From May 10 to August 22, 2009 you will receive weekly e-mail newsletters with tips on staying motivated.

There will also be weekly quizzes to test your knowledge of fitness and nutrition and give you a boost towards your weekly goal.

See the Women’s Health Website for More Information.

In real life Shelby Allen didn’t survive the drinking game.

Shelby’s Rules.com website was set up to tell her story:

On December 20th 2008 17 year old Shelby Lyn Allen died at a friend’s home of alcohol poisoning. You would have liked her, she was fun, lively, silly and wise beyond her years, but what she didn’t know killed her.

She and her friends were ignorant of the fact that approximately 8 ounces of hard liquor (the size of a small juice glass) consumed in under 2 hours can be lethal.

Shelby’s Rules Foundation

The Shelby’s Rules – Alcohol Poisoning Education Foundation was founded by her mother Debbie to raise awareness about Alcohol Poisoning:

I founded the Shelby Lyn Allen Alcohol Poisoning Education Fund after my 17 year-old daughter, an 11th grade student at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, California died of acute alcohol poisoning. On the first night of Christmas break 2008, my daughter and her friends began drinking at a nearby home. It is unclear what happened, but we are told Shelby became violently ill and was semi-conscious when her friends left her propped up over the toilet. When she was discovered the next morning, she could not be revived.

I have vowed to do whatever I can to educate teens, young adults and parents to the dangers of alcohol poisoning. I want all of them to know that immediate medical intervention can save lives. It is my deepest desire that no other families or friends will have to endure the pain of loss that we experience every day of our lives.

Shelby’s Rules
The rules that the foundation has come up with

• “Secrets Kill”

• Alcohol + Vomiting = 911

They are also working on getting out the word about the Warning signs of Alcohol Poisoning:

Warning signs of alcohol poisoning:

* Vomiting
* Person cannot be roused
* Semi-Concious or Unconcious

If you see someone with one or more of these symptoms, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Waiting can result in brain damage, coma or death.

Don’t be afraid to call, every second counts.

It is a very sad legacy to have left behind for one’s parents. I talked to my daughters (9 and 7) about Shelby’s story and told them about the possible deadly effects of drinking too much Alcohol this morning. I hope it registered with them.

Image: Nico Van Der Merwe. Shot Glass 02.  Royalty Free Use.

I discovered one of my poems, “A Message from an Angel Above,” was being used as a tribute on a Memorial Page set up for a college student, Sam Spady, who died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004.

You can learn more about Sam Spady by watching the Video clips below:

Death By Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story

In June 12, 2006 Sam’s Parents Rick & Patty Spady and film producer Barry Bortnick appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to discuss binge drinking and the new DVD on Sam’s death.

You can watch the interview with co-anchor Charles Gibson here.

More about the Sam Spady Foundation
The mission of the Sam Spady Foundation is to educate all parents and students on the dangers of alcohol, specifically high risk consumption, and the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

In addition to making public appearances and having a DVD available on Sam’s unfortunate story, the Sam Spady Foundation also makes SAM Wallet Cards available for students. The foundation advocates that this is the one card that every student needs.

The back of the card has good reminders of what to do in case of suspected Alcohol Poisoning.

You may order up to 10 cards at no charge by sending an email to walletcards@samspadyfoundation.org with your name, shipping address and how you will be using the cards.

More on the Affects of Alcohol

A related post from November 2008 looks at a reporter who is Reporting on Driving Under the Influence.

We’re All Winners

Walking in October

Network for a Healthy California

The focus of the 11th Network for a Healthy California Conference s on “Inspiring Healthy Change Together.” The conference held in early March is two days of inspiration and ideas to collectively focus the spotlight on perspectives and actions that lead to positive change. Participants will learn from over 100 speakers and poster presenters who will share their insights, tools, and strategies for making change happen in their community.