Lifestyles

Q: Have you ever heard of the word "obesogenic?"

A: In the July/August edition of the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal, you can read all about this term and how it relates to children's ever-rising levels of obesity and disease.

When the words were penned, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” Emma Lazarus obviously wasn’t referring to the weary wandering the aisles of a grocery store.

The poem engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty was meant as a welcome to U.S. newcomers. I think, though, it should be at the front door of any grocery store these days.

Have you noticed the increasing number of advertisements promising to make you trim and healthy lately?

Although these claims have been around for many years, their ludicrousness has recently gotten out of hand.
Cable television, magazines and even radio have been overflowing with more false information than I can keep up with.

The Wii Fit takes the whole concept of games as exercise to a new level by including a “balance board” peripheral that tells you on the fly exactly how well (or how poorly) you're doing with various activities. It's a decent alternative for those bored with the repetitiveness of going to a gym or too self-conscious to join a yoga or aerobics class.

Shopping as a plus-sized woman can be a frustrating and daunting experience. Dressing rooms can feel like a prison. Finding new clothes can feel like a chore, instead of a wonderful and fulfilling experience. However, knowing and following certain guidelines is essential to shopping like a pro.

SHIRTS