March 4-8, 2024, is Obesity Care Week.

Obesity can be a tough topic to talk about. Although more than 2 out of 5 people in the U.S. are living with obesity, stigma and weight bias — negative thoughts and actions toward a person based on their weight — are still very much part of the conversation.

Most people probably associate weight bias with internet trolls and random hecklers, but research shows that friends and family can also be a source of bias. This can be especially true for women and people assigned female at birth. Studies show women are more likely to be treated unfairly because of their weight by family members compared to men.

Kristal Hartman, chair of the Obesity Action Coalition National Board of Directors, said she knows firsthand about the importance of support and understanding when living with obesity.

“When you are loving and caring about a person living with the chronic disease of obesity, step one is to realize that it is a chronic disease just like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease,” she said. “There are 200 comorbidities related to this disease and there is no one right way of treating it.”

Watch: Obesity Is a Complex Disease With a Variety of Treatments >>

Hartman said family and friends can show support by asking thoughtful questions without expectations. “Just say, I know you’re on a health journey, and I’m here for you and I am happy to support you in any way possible.”

We asked Hartman for more advice on ways to support a friend or a loved one living with obesity.

Learn about the disease. Obesity is a complex condition. Education and research can help you understand the facts and spread awareness about the disease.

Forget assumptions. It’s important to remember that just because a way of eating or an exercise routine helped you or someone on social media doesn’t mean it will work for everyone else.

Ask questions. Your friend or loved one living with obesity may have an activity or lifestyle change they want to try (Aqua Zumba anyone?) But you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Start healthy changes in your own life. If you’re already thinking about a healthier lifestyle, start making changes yourself and ask if your friend is interested in doing them with you. This can include grocery shopping together, planning meals, starting a walking routine, etc.

Learn about bias. Implicit biases (unconscious) and explicit bias (intentional) contribute to weight bias, stigma and discrimination toward people living with obesity. If you’re aware of bias you can help stop the stigma.

Read: Changing How We Talk About Obesity — A Conversation with Dr. Sowa >>

Test your own bias. There are different kinds of weight bias, stigma and discrimination. Take an Implicit Association Test to be aware of any bias you may have.

Be aware of physical limitations. People living with obesity may have limitations to what their body can do. Instead of a 5K, try suggesting a walk around the block.

Encourage (but don’t push) professional and social support. There are psychologists who specialize in obesity management as well as online support groups that offer expert advice and/or connect people living with obesity. The OAC offers group sessions where friends and family members can join to talk about health topics and support someone who is living with obesity.

Resources

The Obesity Action Coalition

Truth About Weight

English

A Margo Wickersham, de 57 años, le diagnosticaron cáncer de vejiga de etapa 1. La profesional de bienes raíces no tenía ningún factor de riesgo conocido de la enfermedad y recuerda haber sido completamente saludable hasta que detectó un poco de sangre en su orina. Después de recibir el diagnóstico y mientras buscaba tratamiento, Wickersham se enteró que de hecho tenía un segundo cáncer primario, distinto al cáncer de vejiga, un tipo infrecuente de cáncer llamado cáncer plasmocitoide. Consecuentemente, tuvo que hacer que remuevan su vejiga por completo, una experiencia que documentó en un libro,Gratitude in the Storm: When Not Dying Is Enough to Keep Fighting [Gratitud en la tormenta: Cuando no morir es suficiente para seguir peleando].

El cáncer plasmocitoide es infrecuente, no solo que los sobrevivientes de cáncer de vejiga deben estar alerta para detectar cualquier recurrencia, sino que demasiado frecuentemente enfrentan el riesgo de tener cánceres adicionales.

El cáncer de vejiga es el 10º tipo más frecuente de cáncer a nivel mundial, afectando comúnmente a personas de más de 55 años. Aunque ocurre de tres a cuatro veces más frecuentemente en los hombres, la Sociedad estadounidense contra el cáncer estima que más de 20,000 mujeres estadounidenses recibirán diagnósticos de la enfermedad en 2024.

Adicionalmente a eso, los sobrevivientes de cáncer de vejiga tienen el índice más alto de posibilidades de tener un segundo cáncer primario. “He visto pacientes que tenían varias malignidades urológicas o poco después de que les tratamos se sienten mejor y luego contraen linfoma”, dijo Armine Smith, M.D., directora del departamento de oncología urológica de Johns Hopkins de Sibley Memorial Hospital.

En un estudio que observó a más de 2 millones de pacientes, aproximadamente el 8% de todos los sobrevivientes de cáncer tuvieron un segundo cáncer primario, pero el 34% de aquellos con cáncer de vejiga recibieron un diagnóstico de un segundo cáncer primario en los siguientes 20 años. De ellos, el 25% recibió un diagnóstico de cáncer pulmonar, el segundo cáncer primario más frecuente que afecta a sobrevivientes de cáncer de vejiga.

Este recurso educativo se preparó con el apoyo de Astellas y Pfizer.

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/hanged-top-on-brown-and-white-clothes-horse-TS–uNw-JqE

Ever thought about how women’s fashion has zipped and zagged through history? It’s like flipping through an old photo album, but instead of family pics, it’s full of corsets, flapper dresses, and power suits. Let’s take a casual stroll down memory lane and see how women’s threads have changed, reflecting everything from social shifts to the fight for equality, and yes, even the tech boom.

Back in the Day: Victorian Vibes

Picture this: It’s the late 1800s, and you’re laced up in a corset that’s squeezing the breath out of you, all for the sake of looking posh. Victorian fashion was all about showing off your status with layers upon layers and corsets that made sitting down an adventure. It was glam, sure, but comfy. Not so much.

The ’20s: Roaring and Rebelling

Jump to the 1920s, and it’s like everyone collectively decided to ditch the discomfort. Hello, flapper dresses! Hemlines went up, corsets got tossed, and women started dancing like there was no tomorrow. It wasn’t just about fashion; it was a bold statement of freedom and shaking off old-school norms.

Post-War Chic: Dior’s New Look

The ’60s and ’70s: Minis and Bell-bottoms

The ’80s: Power Suits Unite

Enter the ’80s, and women were storming the workforce, ready to shatter some glass ceilings. The power suit became the uniform of choice, complete with shoulder pads so big they could double as flotation devices. It was all about making a statement and claiming your space in the boardroom.

’90s to Now: From Grunge to Instagram Chic

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/assorted-color-clothes-OYYE4g-I5ZQ

The ’90s kicked off with grunge – goodbye glamour, hello flannel. But as the digital age dawned, fashion went online. Nowadays, a trend can go viral overnight, and sustainability is the new black. Fashion is faster, more accessible, and thankfully, a lot more inclusive.

What’s Next? Tech Meets Threads

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-white-measuring-tape-mz9koyBQd4Q

So, you’re on a mission to shed some pounds but can’t do dairy? No stress! The world of weight loss shakes for women has got your back with tons of lactose-free options. Whether you’re lactose intolerant or just cutting out dairy for a while, these shakes are here to make your journey less of a hassle and more of a treat. Let’s dive into the scoop on finding the yummiest, most nutritious shakes to match your lifestyle.

Why Ditch the Dairy?

First up, why skip on lactose? For loads of us, dairy can be a bit of a troublemaker, leading to bloating, discomfort, and all that not-so-fun stuff. Going for lactose-free shakes means you can fuel up without the drama, keeping your weight loss journey on a smooth track.

Choosing the Perfect Shake

Fitting Shakes into Your Daily Grind

Meal or Snack?: Depending on how you mix them, these shakes can be a solid meal or a light snack. Throw in some fruit, nuts, or oats to bulk it up, or keep it simple for a quick sip.

Don’t Forget to Drink Up: Water, that is. Shakes are fab, but your body still needs plenty of good ol’ H2O to stay hydrated and happy.

Why You’ll Love Going Dairy-Free

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/ice-cream-in-clear-drinking-glass-kA1lumyOPmI

Glowing Skin: Many folks notice their skin starts looking brighter without dairy. Plus, the goodies in lactose-free shakes can give your skin an extra boost of love.

Energized Vibes: Ditching the dairy-induced discomfort means more energy to crush those workouts and power through your day.

Helping the Planet: Choosing plant-based options can be a small step towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle – a win-win for you and the earth.

Keeping It Fresh and Fun

Jumping into the dairy-free shake scene can transform your weight loss game. With so many delicious and nutritious options out there, you’re all set to find the perfect match for your taste and health goals. So, why not give them a whirl and see how they can spice up your journey to a fitter, happier you? Let the shake adventure begin!

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

At 57 years old, Margo Wickersham was diagnosed with stage 1 bladder cancer. The real estate professional had no known risk factors for the disease and recalled being completely healthy until she spotted a little bit of blood in her urine. After receiving the diagnosis and while seeking treatment, Wickersham learned she actually had a second, different bladder cancer — a rare type called plasmacytoid cancer. As a result, she had to have her bladder removed entirely, an experience she documented in her book, Gratitude in the Storm: When Not Dying Is Enough to Keep Fighting.

While plasmacytoid cancer is uncommon, bladder cancer survivors not only have to watch out for recurrence, but they all too often face the risk of getting additional cancers.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common type of cancer worldwide, typically affecting people over 55 years old. While it occurs three to four times more often in men, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 20,000 American women will be diagnosed with the disease in 2024.

What’s more, bladder cancer survivors have the highest rate of getting a second primary cancer. “I’ve seen patients who’ve had multiple urological malignancies, or soon after we treat them and they get better, they get lymphoma,” said Armine Smith, M.D., director of Johns Hopkins Urologic Oncology at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

In one study looking at more than 2 million patients, about 8% of all cancer survivors ended up with a second primary cancer, but 34% of those with bladder cancer were diagnosed with a second primary cancer within 20 years. Of those, 25% were diagnosed with lung cancer, the most common second primary cancer affecting bladder cancer survivors.

This educational resource was created with support from Astellas and Pfizer.

As told to Jacquelyne Froeber

March 4-8, 2024, is Obesity Care Week.

“If I don’t get food in the next two minutes, I’m going to die.”

This is how my brain works. Every day, at various points throughout the day, panic seeps into my thoughts and consumes me. I think of nothing else but food. And then I obsess over what my next meal will be.

I’ve been like this since I was a little kid. I remember my grandmother telling me that if I was hungry I could eat an apple. And that made me furious. What the hell was an apple going to do? I needed food. And I needed enough to quiet the worry rising in my chest.

I’d also never heard anyone else talk about food like this. I grew up making jokes about being hangry and my family and friends accepted this was just who I am. I didn’t have hypoglycemia, a thyroid disorder or any other medical conditions that could explain what I was feeling.

Over the years, the mental cycle of panic and worry made living with obesity even harder. I yo-yo dieted my way from middle school to dropping my kid off at middle school. Despite the bootcamps and gyms, nothing stuck in the long run. And just like that, I’d find myself high on the BMI scale again.

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my second pregnancy, which then turned into Type 2 diabetes, and I was terrified that if I didn’t get my blood sugar under control I would have serious complications.

I started taking an anti-obesity medication (AOM) to help get my blood sugar under control and lose some weight. It was working but very slowly. Then, in April 2022, everything changed.

My doctor prescribed a new version of the AOM I was taking for insurance reasons. And almost immediately I knew my life would never be the same. The day after I took the new AOM injection, I went to work and by late afternoon, it hit me — I wasn’t worrying about dinner or what I was going to eat. I’d gone hours without thinking about food. I held my breath and waited for the familiar feeling of urgency to take over. But nothing happened.

It was like someone had opened up my head and taken all the obsessive thoughts and panicky feelings about food out of my body and — poof! Tossed them away in the trash.

For the first time ever, I felt free. I exhaled and welcomed feelings of relief and gratitude. I knew the AOM was the missing piece to my treatment puzzle. I was ready for a life change.

First was my diet. The medication makes you eat less, but you can’t necessarily eat the same things you did before. For me, fried foods cause major GI issues (I call them sulfur burps) and they’re so uncomfortable I had no problem trading in fast food and bringing chicken salad or yogurt and fruit to work. I learned protein shakes aren’t as boring as I thought, and I started buying more protein-rich foods to make meals at home for myself and my family.

Melissa and her husband Michael, 2023

As I was losing weight, I started working out consistently. I go to step aerobics four or five times a week. Taking an AOM can cause muscle loss, so I’ve incorporated weight training into my routine.

Thanks to the combination of diet, exercise and an AOM, I’ve been able to stop taking all the medications I was on for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. My blood sugar’s good, and I feel strong. When my daughter asked me why I want to workout I told her it’s important because it keeps me healthy so I can watch her grow up strong and live her best life because I feel like I’m living mine.

Many people think taking an AOM just works like magic. But it also takes work. I work hard and I plan my workouts and meals, and I do it out of respect and gratitude for this life change and medication that have helped me achieve a quality of life I didn’t think was possible. Sometimes I close my eyes and listen to the glorious sound of nothing. It’s the sound of freedom to me.

Have a Real Women, Real Stories of your own you want to share? Let us know.

Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.

Pregnancy is an amazing transformational period comprising of 40 weeks. There is nothing like growing a new life inside of you — it’s crazy when you think about it!

Many unbelievable changes happen to the body during pregnancy. Some of them may sound strange and even gross but are pretty normal. Here are a few fun facts (other than what the scans or doctors tell you) that might interest you.

#1- Babies Cry in the Womb:

Babies have been shown to become startled on 3D ultrasounds when the sonographer presses down on the stomach with the ultrasound. Researchers have also found that when your baby hears sounds, they might “cry”, with ultrasound videos showing babies opening their mouths and gasping when music is played. Thankfully you can’t hear them because of all of the fluid!

#2- Baby Drinks his pee:

From the second trimester onwards, your baby begins to urinate about a liter per day in the womb. And can you guess where that pee goes? The baby drinks it. The baby urinates up to a litre per day, and yes! They drink it too.

#3- Babies can taste what the mother is eating:

Eat whatever you want your child to eat as he grows up! You don’t want a fussy eater later, isn’t it? Based at Durham University’s Fetal and Neonatal Research Lab, the study’s research team used 4D ultrasound scans, which create three-dimensional videos of fetuses in utero, to see how the unborn children of 100 pregnant women reacted to food ingested by their mothers. Fetuses exposed to the sweet taste of carrot responded with upturned lips and “laughter-face” expressions, while those exposed to the bitter taste of kale made “cry-face” expressions instead.

#4- Erections in the womb:

Yes, you heard that right! A male fetus can get erections in the womb. To your surprise, it is also believed that during sonography, a male fetus arousal can be caught.

#5- The would-be-fathers show signs of pregnancy:

It is a surprising fact that even would-be-fathers start to gain weight. Some may experience cramps in the lower abdomen. This condition is referred to as a sympathetic pregnancy or the Couvade Syndrome.

#6- It is possible to be pregnant for an entire year:

The average duration of pregnancy is 280 days, but it is possible to stay pregnant for over a year. The most prolonged pregnancy ever recorded was 375 days long, which is three months longer than average.

#7- Excess saliva:

During the first trimester, many women find that saliva builds up in their mouths—sometimes to the point of interfering with talking. Although it’s more of a nuisance than a health concern, excess saliva is often associated with morning sickness and should end by the second trimester. In the meantime, try chewing sugarless gum or using mouthwash to help keep both saliva and nausea under control.

#8- Baby born with teeth:

About 1 in every 2,000 babies are born with teeth. These are loose natal teeth and need to be removed by a doctor. They can be painful for the mother during breastfeeding. They can also be dangerous — there’s a risk they may be dislodged and inhaled.

#9- Baby can recognize mom’s voice from inside the womb:

Around week 18 of pregnancy, the structures inside your baby’s ear are well-established enough for your baby to start hearing some limited noises. Some of these are sounds that you might not even notice yourself — the gurgle of your stomach and whoosh of air in and out of your lungs.

Over the next few weeks, your baby will hear more and more of the outside world. By weeks 27 to 30, babies react in response to voices and noises that filter into the womb.

#10- An irresistible urge to nest:

If, at some point in the third trimester, you feel like tearing down the house and rebuilding it, you’re not alone. The instinct to clean and reorganize—called nesting—is also common in birds, cats and dogs. “Women just want to do so many things, it’s almost like a time-clock where your body is telling you, ‘You need to get everything ready for the baby,’” says Darine El-Chaâr, an obstetrician in Ottawa. “It’s a protective mode, but you might find it makes you incredibly productive because you’re committed to getting it all done.”

Here’s the most interesting one. Baby girls develop all the reproductive eggs they will ever need and use in the uterus. But baby boys won’t develop sperm until they hit puberty.

ref: https://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancy/being-pregnant/weird-pregnancy-symptoms-that-are-actually-totally-normal/

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

March is the month when the world celebrates Women’s Day. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day, which happens to be on 8th March 2024, is Inspire Inclusion. This International Women’s Day, 2024 we’re raising a toast to the bold and the beautiful. New-age women are picking up their kitchen knives, breaking through the culinary boundaries of a traditionally male-dominated industry, and cooking up a storm.

10 Great Recipes by Best Women Chef featured on Women Fitness:

Pea & Potato Samosas

by Chef Romy Gill MBE, a celebrity and renowned Indian chef

There are many ways of making samosas and samosa fillings – this is the way I like best. Depending on the quality of the flour, you might need slightly less or slightly more water to make the dough. You can fry the samosas in sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, or ghee.

​Makes: 10–12 samosas

Ingredients:

For the pastry

• 200g plain flour plus more for dusting
• ½ tsp. salt
• 6 tsp. sunflower oil
• 100ml room-temperature water

​For the filling

• 2 tsp. sunflower oil
• 1 tsp. crushed fennel seeds
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 75g peas
• 1–2 green chillies, chopped finely
• 2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. amchoor (mango powder)
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small, then cooked in water until soft but not mushy, then drained
• handful fresh coriander, chopped
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground ginger

Sunflower oil, for deep-frying

​Instructions:

• First, make the pastry. Sieve the flour for the pastry into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and oil. Rub the oil into the flour with your hands, then add the water and bring everything together. Knead briefly until it forms a ball, it should be smooth and soft. Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave to rest at room temperature for 1 hour.​
• Make the filling. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the fennel and cumin seeds. Once they start sizzling, add the peas and cook for a few minutes. Add the green chili together with the ground coriander, ground cumin, and mango powder, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked potatoes into the pan mix well and cook for 2–3 minutes.
• Add the chopped coriander and salt, and keep cooking for 2–3 minutes on a low heat. The vegetables should be well coated with spices. Check the seasoning. Remove from the heat and allow cooling.
• Heat a frying pan over a very low heat. Divide the rested pastry into 5–6 equal-sized balls. Roll each ball into a circle on a lightly floured work surface to approximately 3mm thick and 16cm in diameter. Cook the rolled chapatti warm both sides on the pan then cut in half.
• Brush the edges with water. Bring the straight edges together to make a cone and stuff with the filling. Pinch and seal the open edge and then push it with a fork. Repeat until all the remaining dough is made into samosas.
• Heat a deep heavy-based pan and fill halfway with sunflower oil. Bring the oil to a temperature of 180C. Deep-fry the samosas, two at a time, for 4–5 minutes until light brown and crisp. Rest on kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. Fry the remaining samosas two at a time.
• Serve with a mint and coriander chutney.

Roasted Stuffed Butternut Squash with Tri-Coloured Quinoa, Kale, Chickpeas, Toasted Pine Nuts and Pomegranate Seeds

By Chef Serena Poon, CN, CHC, CHN

Butternut Squash is one of Serena’s favorite foods because of its health benefits, its sweet & nutty taste, and its versatility in the kitchen. She includes them in her breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even dessert sometimes!

This recipe is delicious! It is more time-consuming than some, but, worth every minute! “I recommend making this the next time you have friends or family over – they will be so impressed with the aesthetic and taste of the dish!” shares Celebrity Chef Serena Poon.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 75 min

Total: 85 min

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium butternut squash, halved, seeds removed
• 4 tsp. avocado oil
• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 C tri-colored quinoa (any other quinoa is fine too)
• 1 1/3 C vegetable broth, homemade or low-sodium
• 1 bunch curly kale, stems removed, leaves roughly chopped
• 2 ea. fresh thyme sprigs
• ½ tsp. pink Himalayan salt or sea salt, to taste
• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ¼ tsp. fresh ground white pepper, to taste (optional)
• 15 oz. cooked chickpeas (if using canned or bottled, rinse and drain)
• 1 ea. medium orange, zested
• ½ each juice of half of the zested orange above
• 1/3 C fresh pomegranate seeds
• ¼ C pine nuts (raw or toasted, optional)

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 425F, place rack in the middle of the oven
• Arrange the butternut squash halves, cut side up on an unlined sheet pan
• Drizzle and spread 1 tsp. of avocado oil on each of the 4 cut halves of butternut squash, light salt, and pepper on each half
• Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until fork tender.
• While the butternut squash is baking, use a fine mesh sieve to thoroughly rinse the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear.
• Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan with the broth and bring to a simmer.
• Cover the saucepan with the quinoa with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove the quinoa from heat (keeping covered with the lid) and allow sitting and steaming for another 3 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
• Using a large skillet, 1 tsp. of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
• Add to the skillet the torn kale leaves and cook until just slightly wilted, about 2-3 minutes and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Add to the kale the thyme sprigs, salt, and pepper, to taste. Heat until slightly fragrant. Remove thyme stems.
• Add to the skillet the chickpeas, and the cooked quinoa, squeeze juice from the half orange, and add the orange zest. Remove from heat.
• Once butternut squash is fork tender and slightly caramelized on the edges, remove from the oven and allow cooling (while still on the pan).
• Using heat-protective gloves, scoop out the flesh of the butternut squash, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the sides. Reserve this for later use.
• Add the pomegranate seeds and pine nuts to the kale and quinoa mixture and toss to combine. Ready for filling!
• Stuff the butternut squash halves with a heaping amount of the kale and quinoa mixture. Ready to serve!

Champagne Blackberry Chillers

Chef Devin Alexander

I love this cocktail around the holidays! It makes me feel festive and allows me to participate in the party without over-consuming alcohol. The berries keep the champagne chilled, so you won’t need to drink it quickly. Plus, they’ll turn the champagne a red color to keep with the spirit of the season! Cheers!

Ingredients

• 16 frozen blackberries
• 1 cup chilled champagne
• 2 cocktail sticks

Instructions

• Divide the frozen blackberries between 2 champagne flutes (3/4 cup capacity). Pour the champagne over the blackberries, ½ cup in each flute.
• Add a festive cocktail stick (to use later for spearing any berries that remain in the bottom of the glass). Serve immediately.

Serves: 2

Serving Size: 1/2 cup champagne + 8 blackberries

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.