Not surprisingly, it found that dieting and diet product use among female adolescents significantly increased during this time period. Male adolescents also dieted more, but also showed greater interest in exercise.
Black female adolescents are the least likely to practice weight control, according to the researchers. White female adolescents are the most likely. Among males, white adolescents are the least likely to practice weight control; Hispanic adolescents the most likely.
The increase in weight control behaviors among males, say the study's authors, indicates increasing social pressure for men to achieve unrealistic body ideals.
The authors suggest that black women tend to have more flexible concepts of beauty, which may make them less vulnerable to social pressure. However, this may put them at increased risk for becoming overweight, given the current environment of super-sized portions of nutritionally deficient foods.
MEDTRONICA
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STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM
In medieval England, a common cure for toothaches was to take a lit candle and hold it close to the afflicted tooth, at which time the worms believed to be gnawing inside the tooth would fall out into a cup of water held below the mouth.
There is no record of the cure for burned gums and lips.
BEST MEDICINE
Three doctors were on their way to a medical convention when their automobile suffered a flat. The three stepped out and examined the tire.
"I think it's flat," said the first doctor.
"It sure looks flat," agreed the second doctor.
"It feels flat," confirmed the third doctor.
The three doctors then stood, scratching their heads and wondering what they should do, until, in unison, they declared: "We'd better run some tests."
NEVER SAY DIET
The world's speed-eating record for strawberry shortcake is 15.25 pounds in 8 minutes, held by Patrick Bertoletti.
There are more than 1,500 miles of airways in a pair of adult lungs, connecting approximately 300 million alveoli or air sacs. Laid flat, the inside of the alveoli would cover an area the size of a tennis court.
PHOBIA OF THE WEEK
Scoleciphobia - fear of worms
CURTAIN CALLS
In the 1960s, Jerome Rodale, 72, was a talk show regular who touted his "secrets" for growing old with vigor and style. Rodale claimed he intended to live to be 100.
In 1971, he was a guest on the "Dick Cavett Show," tossing one-liners with the host and another guest when his head suddenly dropped to his chest and he let out a loud snore.
Cavett asked Rodale if the conversation was boring him. Moments passed, before anyone realized Rodale had simply, suddenly died. Cause of death: An undiagnosed kidney inflammation that resulted in a quick and fatal cerebral hemorrhage.
YOU LOOK MARVELOUS
Pump up your ego and hoist some weights. Research in the journal Body Image shows that for women, the ability to lift more weight improves body image more than simply looking better. In a study of 44 men and women, researchers found that women scored higher on body image assessments after seeing an increase in the amount of weight they could lift and strength they gained. Men's body image, however, improved only when they thought they looked better.
CUT 500 CALORIES A DAY
Washington University researchers found that among middle-aged adults who cut 400 to 500 calories a day by diet or exercising, the latter group came out on top, losing an average of 15 pounds a year while maintaining bone density and muscle mass. The diet-only group lost a similar amount of weight but three times as much bone. If you can't squeeze in six hours of exercise a week, combine diet and exercise to peel off about 500 calories a day.
