Both economic theory and experimental data concur–increasing the distance traveled to find food incurs “negative fitness consequences”, by decreasing total energy for maintenance, repair and reproduction. Yet, most animals must travel to find food. Individual, small groups, and large herds of eutherian (placental) mammals–like wild buffalo, gazelles, lions, and elephants–often travel great distances to find food. This expenditure of energy, at the apparent risk of biological fitness, has puzzled zoologists for some time.
By Joshua S Hill •
July 9, 2008
This past Wednesday here in Australia saw the presentation of the National Bicycling Achievement Awards, as well as the presentation of a report entitled “Cycling: Getting Australia Moving,” compiled by Rob Moodie, Professor of Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health.
The key note speaker for the event, Moodie showcased the results of his study (pdf) which, amongst other things, saw that cycling currently saves an estimated $227.2 million per year in health costs alone. Dr. Moodie sayd that “this report demonstrates the considerable benefit offered to individuals and governments by cycling. Addressing the barriers preventing more Australians from cycling will deliver substantial savings to both government and the community”.
Lose ten pounds in just three weeks!
What does it take to get results like that? Trying to live in harmony with the Earth!
Today marks the 24th day I have attempted to live environmentally sustainably. I sleep in a used tent, bike anywhere I want to go, volunteer biweekly at Landslide Community Farm, and eat wild edible greens, farmer’s market fare, and dumpster-dived goods.
When my parents learned that I was going to try such an “extreme” experiment as trying to live 100% sustainably in urban Pittsburgh, they did not try to dissuade me. However, I began receiving e-mails and calls from them, saying: Did I go to the doctor yet for my poison ivy? Am I checking for ticks regularly? How about I don’t eat food out of dumpsters? While all good-natured questions, they expressed a typical parental concern that the situation I am currently in, while important, actually jeopardizes my health.
Exercise is a green approach to health care. Yes, a green pregnancy means making the most of what you take into your body, through what you eat, drink, and breathe, and also absorb through your skin, hair, and nails. But how you move your body is another powerful green way to make a difference.
There are many benefits of exercise during pregnancy, including improved physical conditioning, strength, flexibility, and stamina. It builds endurance for labor and delivery and a quicker postnatal recovery. By exercising regularly, you may be able to reduce some of the common discomforts of pregnancy such as backache, swelling, and constipation. Most of all, you feel great about yourself when you exercise.
How Exercise Can Help More Than Medication
Let’s take a look at the effects of exercise versus medications for two of the most important complications of pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes
As many as one in eight women will develop gestational diabetes sometime during their pregnancies, increasing health risks for themselves and their babies. Researchers at the University of Southern California School of Medicine studied a group of women who had already developed gestational diabetes and who had fasting blood glucose levels high enough to require insulin. Half of the women in the study received the recommended insulin. The other half got personal trainers instead. The trainers supervised the women while they did simple twenty-minute stints on exercise bikes. The results were startling: moderate aerobic exercise was equally effective to insulin! Blood glucose levels were statistically the same in both groups.
By Beth Bader •
February 26, 2008
I made the decision over the holidays to spend part of my child’s gift money on activities instead of toys or tangible goods. As I watch her each weekend taking gymnastics or learning to swim, I know I made the right choice for several reasons.
For one, these activities will help build coordination and strength as well as help foster a lifetime love of fitness. Second, the gift is an experience and not a material good. Arguably, experience is often the greatest gift we can give to our children, often holding more lasting value than just another toy or consumer good. In fact, it is just this kind of parental encouragement or “belief” that can be a much more powerful influence on our children’s level of activity than even role modeling.
In a study done by SpencerHall in 2003, mothers of children whose activity levels ranged from low to high were interviewed in order to better understand the relationship between the mothers’ attitudes toward physical activity and the activity level of their children. (After the jump, study results and four ways to encourage your child’s healthy activity level).
By Victoria Everman •
September 1, 2007
Another month, another issue of Body+Soul Magazine that is well worth reading cover to cover. Before launching into the editorial commentary, it is worth mentioning the full-page letter from Martha Stewart inserted in to each of the latest issues of her magazines (I read Everyday Food and Blueprint this month - both very good as well).
Her statement details the establishment of the Martha Stewart Center for Living at
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You'd be hard pressed to pick up a magazine on the newsstand that doesn't mention yoga within its pages. With 6,000 years of dedicated followers, there is no denying the power or pleasure of a yogic transformation. Whether you are sweating it out with Bikram or concentrating in Iyengar, you need something to practice on - a yoga mat, to be specific. Unfortunately, your "average" mat is made from PVC, a type
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