Researchers at the University of Massachusetts say that just eating more fiber can be a more effective way to lose weight than more complex diets, such as the American Heart Association diet, which includes 13 different guidelines.

Researchers monitored 240 patients for a year, all of whom were at risk for type 2 diabetes.  Half were randomly selected to increase their fiber consumption by 30 grams a day, while the others followed the AHA diet.  On average, those following the AHA diet lost six pounds, while those on the high-fiber diet lost only 4.6 pounds. Both approaches helped patients lower their blood pressure and helped to improve insulin regulation.

But the scientists noted that the high-fiber diet was much easier for people to follow and also led to healthy dietary changes. Dr. Sherry Pagoto, one of researchers involved in the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, said, “We found that increasing dietary fiber was accompanied by a host of other healthy dietary changes, likely because high-fiber foods displaced unhealthy foods in the diet. Asking people to make one dietary change can have collateral effects on the rest of their diet.”

NEXT: Alka Seltzer is born: Feb. 21, 1931

Sourced from: Medical News Today, Simply eating more fiber could boost weight loss

A series of studies recently published in The Lancet suggests that although childhood obesity rates are dramatically rising around the world, few countries are doing anything about it. 

Researchers found that while the average calorie consumption by children has risen significantly since the 1970s, only one in four countries have adopted health policies designed to help slow the spike in obesity. The researchers acknowledged the individual’s responsibility in eating healthy, but they also suggested that the food industry continues to exploit the biological, social and economic vulnerability of children. This, they say, encourages children to eat more processed foods that cause them to become overweight.

The scientists said that children who are overweight earlier in life may be seen as an “investment in future sales,” contributing to the growth of processed food sales.

The results of the studies, researchers said, suggest that stricter regulation of the food supply and taxes on unhealthy foods are needed, as well as healthy food subsidies for poorer children and more mandatory labeling on food products.

Sourced from: Reuters, Global progress against obesity “unacceptably slow”

Alaska is the happiest state in America–at least according to the latest Gallup-Healthways survey.

This annual survey ranks the well-being of each state based on participant impressions of their sense of purpose, social connections, finances, community, and physical health. This year, more than 176,000 adults across the U.S. were interviewed. The study has been conducted each year since 2008. This is the first time Alaska has ranked at the top, with a score of 64.7 out of 100.

Hawaii, which finished first for three years between 2009 and 2012, came in second this time. Rounding out the top five were South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Overall, the researchers  found that people in northern plains and mountain states tended to be happier than in other regions of the country. One notable exception was North Dakota, which fell to 23rd place after finishing first in 2013. This drop was mostly due to a decline in how people in the state viewed their lives, and also an increase there in unhealthy behavior, such as higher smoking rates and less exercise. Once again Kentucky and West Virginia finished at the bottom of the list.

One element of the survey allows participants to suggest ways their state can improve quality of life. In the 2014 survey, suggestions included providing more wholesome foods in grocery stores, increasing social activities or creating more sidewalks in certain areas. The researchers contend that the study reflects health and work conditions–which often relates to obesity rates, workplace engagement and work performance.

Here’s the full list.

Sourced from: Live Science, This State is the Nation’s Happiest for the First Time

Smokers who have trouble kicking the habit cold turkey may have more success if they use a nicotine addiction pill that helps them stop smoking more gradually, concludes new research at the Mayo Clinic.

The study tested the effectiveness of the pill Chantix–or Champix, as it’s known in other parts of the world–on 1,510 smokers using 61 medical centers in 10 different countries. Patients were separated into groups that either received the drug or a placebo, and were monitored for 24 weeks.

The goal of the study, researchers said, was to have cigarette use decrease by half after four weeks, by 75 percent after eight weeks, and completely stop after 12 weeks. The researchers found that those who took the pill were significantly more successful at quitting by the end of the trial than those taking the placebo–27 percent of the people who took the pill didn’t return to smoking, compared to 10 percent of the placebo group.

Researchers say the study is the first of it’s kind to test smokers who weren’t ready to quit. The results, they suggest, show strong support for changing clinical practices to incorporate gradual cessation techniques, paired with medication, to successfully help smokers quit. This particularly may help patients who have had a hard time quitting in the past.

But the researchers did note the potential ‘black box’ side effects associated with Chantix, such as drowsiness, erratic behavior, and suicidal thoughts. Patients in the study also displayed other minor side effects such as nausea, insomnia, and weight gain.

NEXT: Just eating more fiber can boost weight loss

Sourced from: Reuters Health, Gradual smoking cessation may be possible with nicotine addiction pill