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VICENZA - The Vicenza Sergeant Morales Club, alongside members of the Vicenza Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Program and other volunteers, helped mow lawns for families in Villaggio Army Family Housing Aug. 15, 2020.Approximately 15 volunteers, including members of the SMC, BOSS, and Soldiers from a local Army Reserve unit, took part in the event through Army Community Service.The Vicenza Sergeant Morales Club began coordinating this initiative back in June when we learned that the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team would be combining their Brigade Field Training Exercise along with the annual Saber Junction exercise, said event coordinator Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Razzano, from the SMC.We were trying to find a way to support the Vicenza Military Community's lower enlisted families and provide support to Soldiers and families that may not have the financial means or physical capability to perform lawn maintenance while their sponsor was in the field for an extended period of time, he said.The Vicenza SMC Club Chapter of Excellence promotes the highest ideals of integrity, professionalism, and leadership for enlisted Service members serving in Europe.Razzano explained that the club is comprised one hundred percent of noncommissioned officers whose leadership is characterized by a personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and who have contributed significantly to developing a professional NCO Corps and a combat-effective Army.We believe that is our call to coach, counsel, and mentor our current and future Army leaders while serving the Vicenza Military Community, he said.The response was slightly limited due to the fact that we did not want to disturb the families that we were serving. Our volunteers were all given assigned house numbers on Villaggio and paired up in battle buddy teams to complete the assigned tasks, Razzano added.Someone in the neighborhood put out snacks and water and that was greatly appreciated.Sgt. Joseph Nuttall, BOSS advisor, was one of the volunteers who provided manpower.The two programs [BOSS & SMC] provided support to families by a lending hand with lawn care by mowing, weed whacking, and pulling weeds. Some 30 lawns at Villaggio were taken care of, he said.The goal is to increase the morale and decrease the stress that families currently have at home.To inquire about how you can apply for membership or to serve with the Sergeant Morales Club in the future, please send your inquiries to usarmy.usag-italy.usareur.list.vicenza-sgt-morales-club@mail.mil

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Soldiers lend a hand in Villaggio Army Family Housing - United States Army

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Price: $239.99(as of Aug 29,2020 09:00:45 UTC Details)

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Weight Capacity: 380lbs

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FULLY ADJUSTABLEThis recumbent exercise bike features a fully adjustable seat that can fit a wide range of individual users. Keep your legs at a comfortable length for the best resultsPRESET TENSION OPTION16-levels Magnetic Tension Control System of this recumbent bike allows you to customize your ride and challenge yourself over time. This offers a smooth pedal feeling for a flawless biking experienceDIGITAL TRACKING PANELThe Adjustable Reclined Resistance Exercise Stationary Bicycle is equipped with an LCD computer screen that tracks your heart rate, speed, distance, time, and calories burned information. It also features Bluetooth Smart Technology which is compatible with iOS and Android systems. Free Fitness Data app available to help track your workouts. And the tablet support is convenient for watching movies or training when ridingCOMFORTABLE PADDED SEATThick and soft seat cushion and backrest apply extra comfort to this exercise bike and ensure correct posture during a long time workout and physical therapyWEIGHT CAPACITY380 LBS; WARRANTY3 years on frame, 90 days on parts. Recommended User Height range from 52 to 61, recommended Inseam Height range from 27 to 35

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Vanswe Recumbent Exercise Bike 16 Levels Magnetic Tension Resistance 380 lbs. Stationary Bike with Adjustable Seat, Transport Wheels and Bluetooth...

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Flood damage in Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park.(Photo: Ken Bosserman/The News Leader)

STAUNTON - After COVID-19 wrecked programs and recent flooding has taken out facilities, the Staunton DepartmentofParksandRecreation has tried to resume some kind of normality.

Some things, like adult soccer and softball leagues have reemerged, but according to the department's director, Chris Tuttle, things have a long wayto go before everything is back in order.

First there was pandemic that basically shut down the department in March. Then there was the summerflooding which damaged the city's most popular recreation facility, Gypsy Hill Park.

Although Tuttle admitsthat he is still getting estimates to repair the damage, he thinks the figure will eventually come in between $60,000 and $100,000.

"It depends on how extensive the damage is," hesaid.

Tuttle notedat the duck pond, the sidewalks were damaged. "Water got under it, and a small section was washed out," he said.

He also saidthatthe foot bridge connecting the duck pond and old bear cages lost half of its side when it collapsed into the creek. "It's one of the oldest bridges in the park," he recalled. "We hope to return it back."

The miniature train in the park, the GypsyExpress, also suffered considerable damage, especially to its track. A committee that handles the facility is working on that.

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All three baseball fields suffered considerable damage, particularly to the fencing. More damage was done at the Gypsy Express and at the duck pond to the fencing. Tuttle said that he is receiving estimates for repairs.

At the swimming pools, there's also a lot of work to be done. "There's a lot of muck and mud to drain out and clean out," Tuttle said. "This is the first time (flood) water has ever gotten into the pool."

The flooding comes on top of the virus, which has completely altered recreation from what it used to be like.

"What we've had to do is a recommitmenton how to operate our programs with guidelines from the government, what we can do and what we can't do," Tuttle said.

Fencing at the duck pond in Gypsy Hill Park was damaged by flooding in Staunton Saturday.(Photo: Ken Bosserman/The News Leader)

"How do we play a role when our citizens are at home? And we do have an answer through social media. We've offered programs online, like helpful hints for arts and crafts for small children."

The recreation director also said the department developed a video on various activities you could do in the park such as walking and biking.

"We were not in the office, so we developed these remotely through zoom programs. Everything through phase one was closed in the park exceptbiking, walking and family picnicking.

"Fishing was still open but everything else - golf, skateboard park, the gym and tennis courts were closed. Then phase two and three came along, and things started to open, but it was the new normal. Signage never seen before had to be out, like social distancing requirements.

"How fortunate Staunton is to have two large parks for walking, running and exercising. It gave some people a sense of normalcy."

The department's spring/summer 26-page activity guidehadjust been issued when the virus came on the scene, and just about every program in it had to be canceled. With that, 21 part-time people, who were the main instructors and staff for those programs lost their jobs.

"We hope as things improve to gradually bring back those people," Tuttle said.

Within the planned spring/summer programming were over two dozen new activities. Old traditional ones, like trips, summer camp, before and after school care, personal development and senior programs all went by the boards with COVID-19.

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Now, getting back to some degree of normalcy has included opening facilities in the park such as ball fields, the skate park, tennis and basketball courts, the golf course and the gym.

"For golf, we've had good participation since it opened," the recreation director said. "Golf lends itself to social distancing."

At the Gypsy Hill gym, an exercise class with proper distancing inaugurated its reopening. "We'll gradually bring things back there," Tuttle said.

Still, many former activities remained closed.

At the top of the list arethe swimming pools in both Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall parks.

"We felt for staff and public safety we couldn't adhere to the standards to open," Tuttle said. "Everything that drives my recommendations is on safety, and I have absolutely no regrets. There was a lot of research to make this determination.

"The regulations were so stringent, including numbers,spacing and lifeguards added another element. Then there was lawn chairs and social distancing which would be difficult at the Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall pools.

"I realize the impact it had. It's something I didn't take lightly. Swimming is one thing we like to do. It's a tradition in Staunton."

Chris Tuttle has been Stauntons recreation director for 30 years.(Photo: Ken Bosserman/The News Leader)

Activities this year at the bandstand also were canceled, but Tuttle said phase three has lessened restrictions.

"We can now have an event, but it must be under 250 counting performers and audience. Andthey must maintain social distancing."

Wiped out this year was the summer concert series which included no Jazz in the Park, no Praise in the Park or no Wednesday Night Bluegrass. Also, the long-standing Stonewall Brigade Band was unable to perform earlier this summer.

"It's been quiet all summer, and it just doesn't feel normal," Tuttle said.

But things might be trying to return to some degree of normalcy there too. The Stonewall Brigade Band has just resumed itsweeklyMonday night performances at the bandstand, and thoseare slated to continue through September.

When it comes to team sports, they have gradually begun again under strict limitations.

Although there was no Kiwanis Baseball this year, or youth football, the 13-18 Babe Ruth League has begun playing at Moxie Stadium with a late summer league, and there is also adult soccer and softball underway with seven mens and six co-ed softball teams, and 19 soccer teams.

"I was pleasantly surprised," James Corbett, who handles athletics for the recreation department, said. "I'm really excited to be back to some kind of normalcy."

Looking to the future, one thing that may be a casualty is the department's program brochure.

"That's another challenge," Tuttle said. "We won't have one until we have some flexibility on what to offer. It may be a while."

One thing he thinks will happen will be the annual Christmas decorations in Gypsy Hill Park, the Holiday Lights.

"I see that happening, as well as the scarecrow contest at Halloween," he said.

Also the horticultural landscape for the city should continue unaffected. "You can ride around town, and you won't see any changes in our planning in the landscaping," he noted.

Despite all the changes, Tuttle has nothing but praise for his staff both in recreation and park maintenance.

"The parks are in great shape," Tuttle said. "Even our recreation staff has jumped in and mowed. Our staff has gone outside their normal duties to get the job done. For the director of the department to have a staff like this is truly a blessing. It's not just a job, it's a passion. I've had 34 years in it, and 30 have been here.

"Recreation now is more important than ever," Tuttle concluded. "It's an escape, it's a relief. We are adapting, and we will come out stronger on the other end."

.

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Staunton Department of Parks and Recreation tries to return to normalcy - The News Leader

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This summer, 450+ students from Verizon and Verizon Media Group made Verizon history as our first class of virtual interns!

In our unprecedented times, these bright minds used their creativity, enthusiasm, and smarts to work on high-impact projects that delivered exceptional results and they did all this in our new work from home normal.

How did everything come together, you may ask? We made the experience highly enriching and fulfilling by using teleconferencing tools to make the virtual internship fun, engaging and collaborative.

Our 2020 class of virtual interns worked on exciting projects across the business, ranging from product development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, to engineering, user experience and data analytics.

Plus, our interns got to learn all about Verizon through Virtual Fireside Chats with our senior leaders who gave them an inside look into their teams.

Throughout the program, we kept an eye out for those who went above and beyond their roles and responsibilities, aiming to bring back returning interns and those wed consider as full-time campus hires who we believe would strengthen our V Team.

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Insights from our first Verizon Virtual Internship Class of 2020. - Verizon Communications

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In the past two months of a cetacean pregnancy, he says, you can start to see signs that mama's feeling a little blah : decrease in appetite, discomfortand possiblebacterial infections like bursella that cause late-term miscarriages in other cetacean species. But compared witheverything that can go wrong at or following conception or birth, the odds that something will go wrong with these two pregnant animals in the next few months is more limited, he says.

But if the mother does lose her calf, she and the entire orca community must overcome the emotional loss. Whales are highly family bonded, and the UW's Giles says their family members may know of a pregnancy through echolocation. Its like living with moving and breathing ultrasound [machines] all around you, called your mom and brother and sister, she says. It's physically taxing, It's medically taxing and dangerous, And then it's emotionally taxing for these individuals to continuously get pregnant, Giles says.

In some pregnancies, late-term calves can become ticking time bombs in their mothers bodies. If a grown calf dies, gets stuck and releases bacteria in the birth canal, the mother can die.

Calves that do make it through the birth canal need to swim to the surface and take their first breath immediately. The calves flukes and dorsal fins are floppy in utero, but calves come out tails first over one to two hours so their fins have time to harden in the cold water. Calves can be successful when they're born head first, but they don't have that functional paddle, Nollens says, noting calves usually get assistance from other females.

Throughout this process, theres another threat on the perimeter: male orcas, which can become aroused during childbirth and act aggressively toward the calf if females dont keep them away. Nollens says hes heard reports of newborns with rake marks, and thinks its likely theyre from males thattried to get access to a mom or calf during birth.

Of all the stress points in a whales pregnancy, lactation and weaning require the most work. Pregnancy is cheap it's lactation that is hard, NOAAs Noren says.

When orcas give birth, their caloric needs skyrocket, Nollens says, which means they must work harder to feed themselves and provide 40% fat whale milk to help their newborn grow quickly. If a killer whale has unlimited access to food, the food intake within days will go up 50%, Nollens says.

This responsibility can be overwhelming. Most of these females already have other offspring that they also need to support, so it is a huge demand to support themselves, nurse their young calf and help support other offspring and family members, Fearnbach says.

It can take two to three years, depending on whom you ask, to gradually wean a calf, which is entirely dependent upon its mother until it learns to forage. Dr. Astrid van Ginneken of the Center for Whale Research notes that where fish are scarce, weaning takes longer because calves have fewer fish to supplement their nutrition.

Dozens of researchers, policymakers and stakeholders have spent the past few years coordinating a $1.1 billion plan to save Puget Sounds orcas from low food availability, as well as ocean disturbance and pollution. While all southern residents suffer from the effects of these factors, its especially pronounced for mothers and their newborns.

All of those threats compound each other, and researchers are split on which ones are worse. I know some people are really about, 'It's only the prey, only the prey,' and other people are, you know, anti-boats, I think it's not that simple, Noren says.

In my opinion, to save these whales, we have to be laser focused on the food issue, and then secondarily the toxicants issue, Giles counters.

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Here's what pregnant orcas are up against in Puget Sound - Crosscut

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Now, were a nation of less-fit people than we might have been earlier this year, even if we have gone back to work. That needs to change and you can get in shape, quickly, with regular activity.

Did you know that not being active can actually harm your health in the same way that being active can enhance it? Many people may be tempted to say something along the lines of, Yes, I know that being more active is good for me, but if I slack off, I will just stay in the same condition I am now. So, no harm if I decide to spend more time watching television.

But research continues to show, in a very stark way, that physical inactivity is not only harmful to your health (the WHO says inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality) but that it can quickly undo whatever health benefits you may have gained from previous physical activities.

It also may be tempting for you to believe that if you dont have a weight issue, you are in the clear and dont need as much or any physical activity to stay healthy. The truth is that not being physically active increases everyones risk of dying from a preventable disease.

This includes an increased chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression and certain cancers, to name a few. In fact, someone who is mostly sedentary has an up to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who move regularly.

Remember the expression about something taking years to build and only a second to break? Whoever came up with it could just as easily have been talking about how quickly we can lose the benefits of having an active lifestyle. How quickly? While some changes are almost immediately noticeable, the general research consensus is that within two weeks of decreasing physical activity, negative changes can be seen across a variety of health measurements.

According to the well-respected Cleveland Clinic, cutting back on physical activity can take a toll on muscle mass and increase body fat in just two weeks. These changes can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Other physiological changes that research has identified include:

A rise in blood pressure among a group of pre-hypertensive men who were using exercise as a way to lower their blood pressure

Blood sugar levels remaining elevated after a meal after only three days of being sedentary

Decrease in metabolic rate, which can result in weight gain and changes in body composition

The heart losing the efficiency it built up with exercise and physical activity it can start losing its ability to handle extra blood flow by up to five percent in 24 hours, and resting heartbeat also starts increasing by up to four to 15 beats per minute within a month of reducing physical activity

Cholesterol levels may increase

The bodys ability to effectively use oxygen (technically known as VO2 max) declines so drastically that most of the aerobic capacity gained over the previous two or three months is lost within two to four weeks.

How quickly anyone will see these declines will depend on how active they were before going inactive, their age (the older someone is, the quicker the decline), and why the person is taking a break. Everyone is unique, but everyone who becomes sedentary or reduces previous activity levels will experience these types of negative changes.

Faced with this information, its quite possible that your clients may simply throw up their hands and say, Why bother? Pass me the chips, please. But before they give up on getting in shape, make sure they know that the good news is that they can start to reverse the damage of inactivity pretty quickly.

In fact, research indicates some markers will return to where they were in about the same amount of time a person was inactive. Others may take a little longer to get back to where they were before they hit the couch. Again, factors such as age play a role.

Cardiovascular function, for example, returns to where it was within two weeks. Body fat, waist circumference and insulin sensitivity also come back fairly quickly. Regaining muscle mass and VO2 max capacity, however, could take twice as long as the time someone was inactive to get back to where they were (but they do return). And the younger someone is, the quicker they can get in shape and return to where they were.

This should almost go without saying, but good nutrition goes hand-in-hand with being active. Neither alone will promote good health; if someone is not giving their body what it needs, no amount of exercise will make up for nutritional deficiencies and no amount of healthy eating will make up for, or negate, a sedentary lifestyle.

What kind of diet is best? Research continues to indicate that a primarily plant-based diet that includes a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is best. Some foods that are great for getting the nutrition needed for a healthy, active lifestyle are spinach, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, avocados, dark chocolate and bananas for magnesium; nuts, lima beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes and tomatoes for potassium; lamb, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, chicken and chickpeas for zinc; and wheat-bran cereals, whole-grain products and shellfish for copper.

Its also important that meals are prepared at home as much as possible to be able to better control what is in (and not in) each meal and also to have better portion control.

You might also consider including routine,comprehensive nutrient testsas part of your active, healthy lifestyle. If someone is nutritionally unbalanced (meaning they have too much or too little of a specific nutrient), this may increase their risk of developing cardiovascular issues and other conditions that could make it difficult to perform physically. If the test reveals an imbalance, a competent health care professional can help with making the necessary dietary changes or recommend quality supplements you can take.

Start back slowly by setting realistic goals and not overdoing it at the beginning getting active is not an all-or-nothing endeavor. See how easy it is to increase your activity levels with things you do every day, such as walking when you talk on the phone, or parking at the far end of a parking lot or taking the stairs.

To get in shape without turning it into an unpleasant grind, do something you enjoy versus something you think you should be doing. Consider getting a training app to track your progress and give you motivation. And remember to fuel your body with the food and supplementation it craves.

Joy Stephenson-Laws is the founder of Proactive Health Labs, a national nonprofit health information company that provides education and tools needed to achieve optimal health. Her most recent book is Minerals The Forgotten Nutrient: Your Secret Weapon for Getting and Staying Healthy, available through Amazon, iTunes and bookstores. Her articles for MASSAGE Magazine include Dr. Google Will See You Now But That Might Not Be Best and Mineral Research That Does Not Lie.

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Are You Back at Work? You Need to Get Back in Shape, Too Here's Why - Massage Magazine

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New Delhi | Updated: August 28, 2020 2:10:12 pm

Written by Dr Akshay Budhraja

With the COVID 19 pandemic infecting millions of people across the world, minimising mortality remains the top focus of the medical community as well as policymakers. While it is evidently understood that the elderly and people with co-morbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or hypertension are at higher risk of mortality from the novel coronavirus, new evidence has revealed a close link between obesity and a higher risk of complications. Studies have indicated that obese people face a greater risk of intubation and death from COVID 19. In this light, controlling obesity is not just a general health concern anymore but has become specifically important in controlling mortality from COVID 19.

The higher the weight, the greater the risk

As early as March, a small study in China first indicated that overweight Chinese patients were more likely to die from COVID 19 as compared to their lighter counterparts. Now, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has concluded that patients with obesity had an increased risk for intubation or death with the risk highest for class 3 obesity. In fact, for obese people the risk was higher than overweight people. The researchers analysed data from 2,466 patients hospitalised with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Interestingly, the association with obesity was observed in adults younger than 65 years but not in older adults.

Obesity, already a global epidemic

Increased consumption of unhealthy processed and nutrient-dense foods and reduced physical activity has over the past 50 years unleashed an obesity pandemic across the world. According to WHO, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight in 2016. Of these over 650 million were obese. In fact, the worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016.

Considered a health burden of the developed world earlier, obesity is increasing rapidly in developing countries such as India in recent years. An estimate suggests that in India more than 135 million individuals were affected by obesity, which is a risk factor for a series of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, to name a few.

Obesity interferes with immune response

Not only does obesity makes patients with co-morbidities more vulnerable to COVID-related complications, adipose fat directly interferes with the bodys immune response as well. Researchers in immunometabolism suspect that even vaccines such as those for influenza, hepatitis B etc are less effective in people with obesity. This makes it harder for even a vaccine (whenever it is made available) to protect obese people from coronavirus.

Active transport such as cycling need of the hour

While coronavirus further necessitates controlling the obesity epidemic, physical activity has taken a backseat during these unsettling times as people stay indoors and avoid gyms and outdoor exercise routines. To counter this slump in physical activity and curb obesity during the COVID era, UK has initiated a major campaign to give thrust to active transport. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself a COVID 19 survivor, admitted that he was way overweight when admitted to ICU with the disease. He has launched 2 billion initiative to build thousands of miles of protected bike lanes across towns and cities, offer cycle training for everyone and make bikes available on prescription.

With a large population of overweight people, India too must work towards similar initiatives that encourage cycling and walking in everyday lives. An extensive campaign is needed to educate overweight people about the high risk they face from the disease and the need to reduce weight to decrease their vulnerability to the virus. Urban infrastructure must be redesigned quickly to make it more amenable to cyclists. Having a large number of people who have BMI above 25+ with coronavirus will also pose a heavy burden on our already overloaded healthcare systems. Not only do people with obesity face severe complications, but disease management is also difficult in them since it is tougher to intubate obese people and is also difficult to obtain diagnostic imaging for them.

ALSO READ | Boris Johnsons new tactic against Covid-19: Urge Britons to lose weight

What can be done?

*Ensure 50 minutes of safe physical exercise daily but avoid public gyms and group workout sessions.

*Try to incorporate cycling and walking in your daily activities such as traveling to work, traveling to buy groceries, etc

*Cycling and walking are the safest outdoor exercises. They also help build lung capacity. Cycling also benefits in keeping co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease under control.

*Limit consumption of processed foods and foods laced with refined sugar.

*Consume more fruits, vegetables and fibrous foods.

The author is a consultant, respiratory and sleep medicine, Aakash Healthcare and Super Speciality Hospital

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Is obesity linked to severe COVID-19 complications and increased risk of death? - The Indian Express

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I was sitting on the uncomfortable, crinkly paper of the check-up table at my pediatrician's office. "When did you get your last period?" she asked.

"Uh, like sometime in eighth grade. Maybe April 2016?"

"No, not your first one. When was your most recent period?"

"April 2016 . . . "

I was 17 and had only ever had my period once. Throughout adolescence, this had never seemed to worry my pediatrician much. She would blame my missing periods on my being really athletic, or tell me I could try to eat more soy to help get things going. But at 17, she finally recommended I get some blood work done and schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.

After asking just a few questions, the gynecologist diagnosed me with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. I didn't have any of the physical symptoms usually associated with PCOS, and she diagnosed me so quickly that it made me nervous. But suddenly, I apparently had a medical condition to explain why my period never came.

I was put on birth control to help regulate my cycle, but when my periods began, they were irregular and inconsistent. I'd have month-long cycles, or just bleed for three random nonconsecutive days during the month. Admittedly, I could have been better about taking my birth control. Between a summer at camp and starting college halfway across the country, I was moving around so much that sometimes I'd lose my last pack or go months without refilling my prescription. But the uncertainty of this diagnosis also caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. I was told from the beginning that, left untreated, PCOS could lead to cancer later in life and that I would probably be infertile. Yet I wasn't seeing a gynecologist regularly, and I never had an ultrasound to evaluate my ovaries. How was I supposed to know if what I was doing was helping or making things worse?

Thankfully, the app I used to get birth control stopped taking my insurance, so I had to go see a gynecologist again. I went to a different doctor this time, and after just a few questions, I was . . . undiagnosed with PCOS. The gynecologist simply explained that I was probably misdiagnosed the first time. After three years of worrying about my reproductive health and future, I suddenly didn't have PCOS anymore. Yet this didn't make any of the uncertainty go away.

Rashmi Kudesia, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, and director of patient education at CCRM Fertility Houston, explained that my experience with PCOS isn't that rare. Dr. Kudesia said that often, people may go undiagnosed or get misdiagnosed due to confusion with the diagnostic criteria. In fact, she recommends not diagnosing PCOS until eight years after a patient starts getting periods, as some of the symptoms like cystic acne or weight gain can just be part of adolescence. PCOS can also manifest itself in very different ways from one person to the next.

For people who don't necessarily fit the typical symptoms of PCOS, "it starts to feel like maybe the diagnosis is incorrect, but it's kind of a larger umbrella diagnosis, and there can be a lot of different manifestations within it," Dr. Kudesia told POPSUGAR. She acknowledged that this can add stress to an already troubling diagnosis.

Like me, many young people feel particularly anxious about their fertility, whether they're planning to get pregnant or not. For this reason, Dr. Kudesia focuses on addressing five areas of possible concern for her patients: irregular cycles, infertility, high androgen levels (which can cause acne or hair growth), weight issues, and mental health. She works to ensure they have all the information they need to understand their diagnosis and how it affects their overall health. It's important to note that there isn't one path for treatment that can help manage all these things, which might explain why I felt so anxious about my diagnosis. The gynecologists I saw were only concerned about treating my irregular cycles, while I was worried about all the other possible consequences of PCOS.

I'm still not sure if I have PCOS or not, and with all the anxiety and stress my diagnosis caused, I wasn't planning to get another opinion. I'm realizing, though, that it's probably best I do.

I know now that my journey with this diagnosis shouldn't have been as stressful and uninformative as it was. "Education is superimportant," Dr. Kudesia said. "The key is, young [people] need to think about how they can understand their own bodies and find a healthcare provider who empowers them to really understand and take control of their reproductive health." My doctors didn't do that, so I guess I have to begin my search again.

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I Was Diagnosed With PCOS and Then Undiagnosed 3 Years Later - POPSUGAR

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DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am interested in limiting my intake of meat, but admittedly, I love burgers. Are there any really good plant-based options?

ANSWER: Plant-based burgers have soared in popularity over the past couple of years. And these meat alternatives can be healthier for you depending upon the ingredients.

While eating meat can be part of a healthy diet, introducing more plant-based foods in your diet definitely has health advantages.

The biggest benefit of plant-based burgers usually comes in the form of fiber and other nutrients. Fiber can come in many forms and commonly is classified as soluble and insoluble. Both are beneficial, and most vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes have some of each. Look for burgers that have peas, beets, mushrooms, whole grains, soy, lentils or beans as main ingredients.

A plant-based diet in general has more phytonutrients plant compounds that are thought to be both preventative and protective in our long-term health. Some phytonutrients act as antioxidants. Often times, the phytonutrients are identified by the different colors red, orange, purple, green or tan. This is why you hear the phrase eat the rainbow.

The challenge with any plant-based meal, however, is that the flavors and textures are different. So this presents an issue as far as whats added to the ingredients to mimic the taste and texture of meat.

Some plant-based burgers are going to have added fat, and oftentimes, the added fat is a saturated fat. Commonly added fats are coconut oil or palm oil. Like with natural meat burgers, saturated fats can be concerning.

Saturated fat has been shown to raise LDL or bad cholesterol, and the concern is that it may increase heart disease risk.

Salt is another common offender. Added salt is both a flavor enhancer and preservative in pre-packaged or restaurant plant-based burgers. Too much salt, or sodium, can raise blood pressure.

Keep in mind that the bun you select and condiments also will have sodium, so the tally for the meal can add up quickly. Together, the added saturated fat and sodium may impact the overall nutritional quality of plant-based burgers. Compare products and choose wisely.

Alternatively, you might consider making your own plant burger at home. You can easily incorporate spices or other seasonings instead of salt and added fat.

Overall, its a great goal to eat more plant-based foods like vegetables, nut, beans, lentils and whole grains to get more variety into your diet.

If you have been limited in the past with plant-based food, I would recommend slowly working new and different fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts into your diet. You also can aim to eat smaller portions of meat.

Some simple ways to update your menu may include adding colorful vegetables into tomato-based sauces for pasta dishes or soup. For the latter, you also can add in beans, barley or another grain. You can add finely chopped mushrooms and onions to add texture and flavor to ground beef for tacos or casseroles. And finely chopping or pulsing nuts or seeds can boost pancakes and other baked goods.

Dont be afraid to experiment and modify recipes. You might find you like the new flavors and textures, as well as how you feel, since the additional fiber and nutrients will keep your body moving as it should.

Read more:
Mayo Clinic Q And A: Adding plant-based foods to your diet - Greater Milwaukee Today

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Vegetarian and plant-based diets have become increasingly popular due to health and environmental reasons. However, Greek researchers conducted a study to show that not all vegetarian diets are necessarily healthy for those with obesity.

(Photo: Downloaded from NASA official website)

'The quality of plant-based diets varies,' shared Matina Kouvari of Harokopio University and the team. There are numerous vegetarian diets such as Lacto-ovo, which includes eggs and dairy products, or pescatarian, which includes seafood. Other vegetarian diets are strictly plant-based such as veganism.

During a meeting with the European Society of Cardiology, Kouvari and the team assessed the diets of 146 people from Athens who had obesity. The participants did not have a heart condition and had normal blood sugar, pressure, and cholesterol levels.

The participants answered a questionnaire about their eating habits with the past year, which included more than 100 types of food and beverage typically found in Greece. In ten years, almost 50% of the participants had an increase in high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels, which increased their risk of obtaining heart disease.

Meanwhile, plant-based diets helped keep glucose, blood sugar, and pressure levels regulated. The healthy diet consisted of fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, and other unprocessed foods.

However, there were also unhealthy vegetarian diets including juices sweetened with refined sugar, refined grains like white bread, and sweets. Even if the person became vegetarian, these unhealthy choices contributed to developing factors of obesity.

Kouvari shared that their findings were more evident in women. 'Prior research has shown that women tend to eat more plant-based foods and less animal-based products than men. But our study suggests that this does not guarantee healthier food choices and in turn better health status.'

Most plant-based and vegetarian diets are too broad and are sometimes labeled as low in meat consumption but may not necessarily be health, said the researchers. Their study focuses on 'the variable nutritional quality of plant foods,' and not just going vegetarian or plant-based.

Dietitian Sharon Zarabi from Lenox Hill Hospital agreed that removing meat from one's diet is not a guarantee for good or better health. 'Going vegetarian and avoiding meat will leave more room for highly processed carbohydrates, which raise insulin levels and make weight loss difficult,' she shared.

Zarabi explained that vegetarians who are well informed and knowledgeable about nutrition would focus on reducing blood pressure, insulin levels, cholesterol. This would include having a plan to incorporate eggs, fish, nuts, or seeds in their diet depending on what kind of vegetarian they are.

Read Also: Fighting Obesity is Not About Cutting Calories

To become healthier from obesity, people need to manage protein intake while avoiding excess carbohydrates for better health. Whatever diet people choose, it is also important to make it 'sustainable and enjoyable,' said Zarabi. In another study, researchers said that fighting obesity is more than just cutting calories.

Obesity Canada reported that 'Obesity continues to be treated as a self-inflicted condition,' but is actually a lifestyle and behavioral issue. A better solution to treating obesity would be to find to root causes of the problem and make realistic goals about adopting a healthier lifestyle

Read Also:Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Studies Reveal The Perfect Diet of Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grain

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