Tag Archives: nutrition

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #80 – Deborah Tate, PhD – Studying the Obesity Epidemic

 

Obesity and Change – The Tech Intersection

Welcome to the podcast! Today, I am thrilled to host Dr. Deborah Tate, a distinguished professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, with joint appointments in Health Behavior and Nutrition. She also holds a faculty appointment at the Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, North Carolina where she explores innovative approaches to improve lifestyle behaviors that impact obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease risk. Dr. Tate is a behavioral scientist, receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on two main areas: (a) strategies for improving both short and long-term body weight regulation to reduce disease risks and (b) the development and translation of programs as alternatives to clinic-based care using digital and wearable technologies. She is known internationally for her work has published many papers in major nutrition and medical journals. Her work spans the intersection of behavioral health and obesity whereby she is a pioneer in digital health interventions. Her work has been pivotal in developing digital tools and online programs that support sustainable health changes, making access to wellness resources more inclusive and effective.

Dr. Tate has been at the forefront of harnessing technology to create lasting change, blending behavioral science with digital advancements to empower individuals and families to make improved choices. Her contributions have transformed how we think about health interventions in today’s digital age, offering scalable solutions that reach beyond traditional boundaries. Get ready for an insightful conversation with Dr. Tate as we dive into the science and the potential of digital health to foster resilience and well-being.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 39

Section I

Understanding the Action and Use of GLP-1 Agonists in Children – A Pediatrician’s Viewpoint

The United States, like much of the developed world, is facing increasing rates of childhood obesity and related health concerns. Despite years of research and various efforts, addressing this public health issue remains a complex challenge.

This article reviews the potential mechanisms, benefits, and considerations for using GLP-1 agonists in children based on the current scientific understanding. While early research is promising, the application of these treatments in children requires careful consideration and should always be done in consultation with a healthcare provider.

As a pediatrician, I recognize that while the science behind these treatments is evolving, it’s important to remember that individual responses to treatments can vary. For children, every approach needs to be carefully weighed, considering their unique developmental needs…..

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #79 – Robert Lustig, MD – Obesity Epidemic

Welcome to the podcast! Today, I am thrilled to have a true pioneer in the field of metabolic health, Dr. Robert Lustig, MD, joining us. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the intersection of diet, obesity, and metabolic disease, particularly his deep dive into the role of sugar as a driving force behind many of today’s chronic health issues.

As the author of several influential books, including Fat Chance, The Hacking of the American Mind and Metabolical, Dr. Lustig has been a vocal advocate for public health, helping to raise awareness about the harmful effects of processed foods, particularly refined sugars. His research has been instrumental in shifting the conversation around nutrition, focusing on the biological impacts of sugar and the ways it contributes to insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. His most recent paper entitled Obesogens, A Unifying Theory for the Global Rise in Obesity in the International Journal of Obesity – Nature is a ground stirring take on the current research.

We are excited to explore his latest insights into metabolic health and the science of obesity, and how we can apply this knowledge to improve our own well-being. Let’s welcome Dr. Lustig to the show!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 37

Upcoming Podcast and Current Book Review.

For all parents who love the content of this newsletter, I have a book for you to enjoy. It is a comprehensive look at parenting a child in modern times through the struggles of food, technology, stress and life in general.

My good friend Elisa Song is a Stanford, NYU and UCSF trained pediatrician and lover of children. In her recently published book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids, she offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to pediatric health that will resonate deeply with today’s parents who seek to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare and modern life. Dr. Song’s dual expertise as a pediatrician and a mother is evident in her compassionate and practical guidance. Much like the work of our mentor Sandy Newmark, her book is relatable but more importantly scientifically grounded.

At the heart of Dr. Song’s philosophy is the idea that optimal health for children is not just the absence of disease but a state of overall well-being or optimal health, including: physical, emotional, and mental states. She emphasizes the importance of nutrition, advocating for whole, unprocessed foods while addressing the impacts of common allergens/intolerances, sugar, and artificial additives on children’s health. Her dietary recommendations are backed by a solid understanding of how nutrition influences immunity, inflammation, behavior, long-term development and ultimately chronic disease.

Plus, a discussion on cancer, autoimmunity in children post Covid…

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 36

Section I

Literature Review

1) Long Covid in children – the symptoms are getting more clarity in who has what . From JAMA: 898 school-age children (751 with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and 147 without) and 4469 adolescents (3109 infected and 1360 uninfected) were included in the analysis. The time between infection and symptom analysis was 1.5 years. In models adjusted for sex and race and ethnicity, 14 symptoms in both school-age children and adolescents were more common in those with SARS-CoV-2 infection history compared with those without infection history, with 4 additional symptoms in school-age children only and 3 in adolescents only. These symptoms affected almost every organ system. The cumulative data shows us that neurocognitive (Headache, attention concerns, sleep dysregulation), pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms in school-age children were common, but changed to loss of smell and/or taste, body aches and pain, focus struggles and fatigue related symptoms in adolescents. (Gross et. al. 2024) Age has a huge effect on these outcomes as the older population has more frequent and problematical disease findings. Mood disorder is highly associated with worsened findings. I suspect from the historical data set over the last four years that children with chronic mental stress, poor quality diets, sleep issues, and poor activity levels at baseline have worsened acute and long term prognosis.

Plus a section on a book review for Change Your Genes, Change Your Life.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast David Katz, MD – Childhood Obesity Part II Repost

David L. Katz, MD, MPH is a specialist in Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, with particular expertise in nutrition.
He earned his BA at Dartmouth College (1984); his MD at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1988); and his MPH from the Yale University School of Public Health (1993). He completed sequential residency training and board certification in Internal Medicine (1991) and Preventive Medicine/Public Health (1993). Katz is the founder and former director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (1998-2019); Past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine; President and Founder of the non-profit True Health Initiative; and Founder and CEO of Diet ID, Inc. The recipient of numerous awards for teaching, writing, and contributions to public health, Katz was a 2019 James Beard Foundation Award nominee in health journalism, has been a widely supported nominee for the position of U.S. Surgeon General, and has received three honorary doctorates. Katz has served as a nutrition columnist for O, the Oprah Magazine; an on-air contributor for ABC News/Good Morning America, and with appearances on most major news programs and contributions to most major magazines and leading newspapers, including OpEds in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
His most recent book, How to Eat, co-authored with Mark Bittman, is a 2021 IACP Awards finalist and is worth your time. I have had the pleasure of hearing him speak many times over the years and he is an amazing orator and I am blessed to have this hour with him. Today, we dive into the science of childhood obesity and what are the public health pain points that can be pressed on to change the negative trajectory.
Enjoy,
Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #78 – Elisa Song MD – Healthy Kids Happy Kids

This week I sit down with Dr. Elisa Song to discuss her new book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids. Dr. Song is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in political Science. She then attended New York University for her medical degree and finally a stop at the University of California San Francisco for pediatric residency training. In her own words, Dr. Song is a holistic pediatrician. She founded Whole Family Wellness, an integrative pediatric practice in Belmont, CA – one of the first and most highly regarded holistic pediatric practices in the country. She created Healthy Kids Happy Kids – dedicated to empowering parents to take charge of their kids’ health … naturally! She lectures around the world for the Center for Education and Development in Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH), Academy for Pain Research, Institute for Functional Medicine, and Holistic Pediatric Association, A4M among others. In this interview we look at health through a prevention first lens with a deep look at the intestinal microbiome and nutrition. Dr. Song’s immense fund of knowledge is on full display in her book and this interview.

Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Elisa Song,

Dr. M