New framework would classify many more U.S. adults as ‘obese'
Using the recent obesity framework, 18.8 percent of the adults who had previously been categorized as 'overweight' now fit under the 'obese' category, researchers said.
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Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Energy dips, gray hairs and hope: What 36 looks like now
As anyone who has ever gone through it will tell you, hitting your mid-30s brings on a life shift. Like it or not, you are no longer the ingenue; you're a bona fide adult with kids (maybe), a mortgage (possibly) and fine lines (almost certainly). Your 40s are closer than your 20s, hangovers are more brutal and the aches and pains you've always shaken off after a day or two now tend to … linger. A study recently published in the Annals of Medicine adds some scientific evidence to back up those feelings. According to the 30-year study, which assessed both physical and mental health, age 36 is when many of the choices we made as younger people begin showing up in our bodies and minds. People who smoke or drink heavily, eat poorly or put off exercise often begin seeing significant health repercussions by the time they hit 36. Essentially, age 36 is a turning point for the process of aging. This news made us think about what it really means to be 36 — both physically and emotionally — and how 36-year-olds think about themselves at this stage of life. (And, OK, what face cream are they using?) Here's what seven women told us. Around the ages of 33 to 35, I became aware of changes to my body and face. I started noticing new lines on my face. Then a couple of months ago, I woke up one morning, and my arms just felt different. You hear people talk about losing muscle mass as you approach 40, and I have not been consistent about getting movement in. I do take long walks, and I'm now trying to be more consistent with lifting weights. In terms of other self-care stuff, I dry brush my body, apply facial oil and do gua sha. Sunscreen is a must, and I'm seeking out clean brands and swapping products accordingly. I apply retinol to my face, neck and backs of my hands about one to two times a week. I also journal and am incorporating more meditation. I don't plan to get Botox, so I actively avoid smoking, drinking, tanning and any other vices that I hear contribute to aging. I'm grateful for the freedom my journey to 36 has brought. I'm self-employed, divorced and on the brink of a dream move abroad. I'm not a mother, but I'm a proud auntie. Sometimes, I feel old and like so much life has passed. Other times, I feel like my life is only just beginning. The age when I saw the most physical changes to my body was 34, right after I had my daughter. My body changed, and silver strands appeared in my hair. Now at 36, I have extra weight around my midsection, but I'm trying to give myself grace while also focusing on strength training. Professionally, I run my own podcast, and entrepreneur-and-toddler life is a workout all its own. As for other ways I take care of myself, for the last 20 years I've sworn by the Clinique 3-step skin care system: cleanser, clarifying lotion and Dramatically Different moisturizer, morning and night. I don't smoke or tan, and I only drink on special occasions, usually a single glass of wine or champagne when celebrating. Looking back at photos from my 20s shows me just how drastically my other priorities in life have shifted. Being 36 means motherhood first and work second. It means I'm building a life that fits my family, not squeezing my family into my life around my work. As a longtime wellness enthusiast and former beauty editor, my self-care and beauty routines were very involved. More recently, they've become more intentional and health-conscious. As a new mom, self-care feels like taking the time to get a thorough massage after a few intense workouts, strength training so I can feel stronger, getting a professional blowout and investing in biweekly mani-pedis. It also looks like eating nourishing meals coupled with supplements to make sure I'm giving my body what it needs. My beauty routine has shifted to double-cleansing my face, especially on days when I wear a face full of makeup. I also consistently exfoliate and rotate serums and eye creams for firming and brightness. I also always moisturize and use sunscreen. In terms of cosmetic treatments, I got a little under-eye filler a few years back to treat under-eye bags—but it may be time for a refill. Thirty-six is definitely the age when I've noticed the most change. I'm starting to see changes in my face — it's not as firm and tight — and I'm the heaviest I've ever been. My hair has also grown its longest but sheds more than ever before. These things don't necessarily bother me, but I've noticed them all the most at 36. For me, being well-fed and rested are the secrets to youthfulness. I tend to be obsessive about getting at least eight hours of sleep. Likewise, if I don't eat 'clean' I can absolutely feel the reverberations of that soon after. It's no longer worth it to me to feel bad in ways that I can control. That said, I still drink some alcohol. I wish I could give up my wine on the weekends for the sake of my health, but I'm not emotionally ready for that yet. My early 30s were the most dramatic shift in my physical appearance. It was like pressing a button, and my metabolism shut down. I now have to work very hard to stay fit, but on the flip side, if I work too hard, it's counterproductive to my body and produces a lot of stress. Thirty-six feels like a big change physically too because I had a baby (unexpected C-section) at 35-and- a-half, and just about everything is now different physically. Since then, my hair has grayed significantly, every bit of my torso has morphed and my energy levels are currently nonexistent. But as I step into my late 30s, I feel newly invigorated to grasp on to youthfulness. Not in a desperate or aesthetic way, but rather to find the energy to keep doing all the things I love. Thirty-six is a transformative year. For many of us, careers are more stable, we've got a kid or two — in my case, two little ones — and we're starting to think about what the next 36 years should look like. Social media makes aging feel like something to fight, not embrace. It pushes this idea that you have to do everything to avoid looking your age, and most of it is fake and insanely expensive. My self-care routine is pretty simple. I don't do fancy facials or regular nail appointments, and my go-to moisturizer is an $8 tube of Vanicream (holy grail status). I started Botox at 26 — just 15 units in my forehead and crow's feet, maybe once or twice a year if I'm lucky. I never skip washing my face at night, and I slather on a Korean skin care product before bed, especially on my neck. I'll also admit to the occasional spray tan. In my teens, though, I spent way too many hours in tanning beds, especially during visits to my grandma in Florida. If the sun wasn't out, she'd take us to the tanning salon so we'd come home glowing. Looking toward the future, I've thought about plastic surgery but not for another eight to 10 years. I believe small tweaks can help slow the aging process. A full facelift isn't for me, but a few minor procedures might be on the table as I get closer to 50. My mother and I were mistaken for sisters until I was about 25. Both my parents look far younger than their ages, and people have commented on that for years. I never thought much of that until I enjoyed receiving the same compliment. When I tell people I was born in 1988, they have genuine disbelief in their faces. I have made my mistakes, however. In 2017, when the social media influencer was at its peak of power, I was convinced to start getting Botox in my forehead and 11s, and Juvéderm filler in my lips. I stopped getting the injections about two years ago simply because I wanted to go a more nontoxic route. In my 20s I'd fall for every skin care trend and was weirdly proud of how many 'steps' my routine 'required.' A few years ago, a company reached out to me and paid me to review one of their skin care products. The product contained a topical steroid and caused me to break out in a horrific case of perioral dermatitis. I had to stop using literally everything … I couldn't even wear makeup for several months. After ruining my skin barrier, I started rebuilding my routine, which now consists of sensitive skin Dove bar soap (an oldie but a goodie) and the Amperna Soothing Duo. My confidence tanked when I had those breakouts, and I'd do anything not to feel so hopeless again. Years 33 to 36 have brought on the most changes physically for me. My body takes longer to recover from workouts and alcohol consumption (I now feel the effects of two drinks the next day), and I need more sleep in general. Since turning 36, I've become more conscious of how the choices I make will impact my future. I want to keep my mind sharp and my body physically active. My husband and I are considering starting a family in the next year, so I think a lot about what my body will need to carry a baby, my body/mental health postpartum and how to keep up with a toddler when I'm in my 40s. Right now, I work out three to four times per week, eat well and take a variety of daily supplements. I drink about three times per week and use a nicotine vape daily. The one vanity piece that bothers me is my gray hair. My dad was almost completely gray by 40, and I definitely got his genes. One day I will proudly rock it, but I'm not ready to yet.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Urgent warning for parents: Deadly nicotine poisonings in kids are skyrocketing
The number of young children sickened after getting their little hands on nicotine products like pouches and vape e-liquids has skyrocketed in recent years. From 2010 through 2023, U.S. poison centers reported 134,663 cases of nicotine poisonings among kids under age 6, according to a study published Monday in Pediatrics, a journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nearly all occurred at home. The cases included exposures to nicotine pouches, chewing tobacco, regular cigarettes, vapes and nicotine replacement products like gum and lozenges. But it's nicotine pouches, like the wildly popular Zyn, that are behind the most significant rise in accidental nicotine poisonings among young kids. The new research found that the rate of poisonings involving nicotine pouches among kids under 6 rose from 0.48 per 100,000 children in 2020 to 4.14 per 100,000 in 2023. That's an increase of 763% in just three years — a startling finding that correlates with a surge in sales of nicotine pouches. Nicotine pouches — which users tuck between their lip and gum and later discard — can contain as much as 6 milligrams of nicotine, a stimulant, and have been promoted as tobacco-free, spit-free and hands-free alternatives to cigarettes and chewing tobacco. They are not, however, approved by the Food and Drug Administration as nicotine replacement products used to help quit smoking. Philip Morris, which owns Zyn, said in a statement that 'Zyn's packaging is designed to be child resistant.' A 2021 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health (one of several public health groups dismantled under the Trump administration) found that sales of nicotine pouches rose dramatically in the past decade, from $709,000 in 2016 to $216 million by mid-2020. 'It was just a matter of time before they fell into the hands of younger kids,' said Dr. Molly O'Shea, a Michigan pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. 'It's unfortunate, but not shocking.' Nicotine is a chemical that's highly toxic and could easily exceed a fatal dose in small children, according to a 2013 study. The chemical increases heart rate and blood pressure, and could lead to nausea, vomiting or even coma, the study authors wrote. Most cases included in the new research weren't serious enough to warrant medical attention. But 39 children had significant side effects, like trouble breathing and seizures, said Natalie Rine, an author of the new study and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. Most nicotine poisoning cases, 76%, were babies and toddlers under age 2. Two children, a 1-year-old boy and another boy about a year and a half old, died after ingesting liquid nicotine used in vapes. 'It's good that the majority of kids in the study actually did pretty well. Most kids had either minor symptoms or no symptoms and didn't require any medical management,' Rine said. 'But two deaths is a lot, especially for something considered a preventable death.' The study 'adds to concerns about the health risks that nicotine pouches pose to kids,' Yolonda Richardson, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement. 'It's critical that we educate parents, childcare providers and healthcare providers about the health risks of these products, including poisoning.' Richardson was not involved with the new research. Kids are curious by nature. Babies and toddlers in particular explore their worlds by putting things in their mouth. And they're masters at breaking into drawers and cabinets to find new 'toys.' Many canisters of nicotine pouches are not equipped with child-resistant packaging. They taste good, too. Mint and fruit flavors are almost always added. O'Shea said it's critical that all nicotine products are placed far out of reach of children. 'That doesn't mean in your purse, in your back pocket or on the counter,' she said. 'It means locked away.' It's not just parents and other adult caregivers who must be mindful of their nicotine products. An April study from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California found the use of nicotine pouches among high school students nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024. 'It's easy for a teenager to be using this product and have parents be unaware,' O'Shea said. 'It's important for parents to be talking with their teenagers about products like this and having open dialogue in a nonjudgmental way in order to ascertain any risk.' Rine also recommends adding the national poison control number to cellphones: 1-800-222-1222. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Dire Wolf Company's Next Target? A Giant Flightless Bird
It has taken no end of imagination for Sir Peter Jackson, the Academy Award winning—and, not incidentally, knighted—director of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, to produce his entire body of cinematic work. It's a quality Jackson has had since he was a small child, when he would conjure up visions of the future. 'When I was a kid [I dreamed of] personal jet packs and flying cars and things,' Jackson said in a recent conversation with TIME. 'One of those other things I always dreamed of was to be able to bring back extinct species.' No-go on the jet packs and the flying cars. But the business of de-extinction? That's very much happening. In April, the Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences announced that it had successfully brought back the dire wolf, an animal whose howl had not been heard on Earth since the last member of the species vanished more than 10,000 years ago. Three young dire wolves currently live on a 2,000-acre preserve in an undisclosed location to protect them from the media and curiosity-seekers, and Colossal aims to produce more of the animals, with the ultimate goal of perhaps rewilding the species. Read more: The Return of the Dire Wolf The company is not stopping there. Colossal also wants to bring back the dodo, the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger—or thylacine—and more. The goal is both to increase genetic diversity and to hone genetic editing techniques to fortify existing but threatened species. Now, Colossal has announced one more species to add to its growing menagerie: the emu-like moa, a giant flightless bird that stood up to 12 ft. (3.6 m) tall, tipped the scales at more than 500 lbs (230 kg), and once ranged across New Zealand, before it was hunted to extinction by humans about 600 years ago. Like the moa, Jackson is a native New Zealander; 'I am a very proud kiwi,' he says. He is also a Colossal investor and acted as intermediary and facilitator bringing the company into partnership on the moa project with the Ngāi Tahu Research Center, a group that was founded in 2011 to foster intellectual development and conduct scientific studies for and by the Ngāi Tahu tribe of the Indigenous Māori people. 'Some of those iconic species that feature in our tribal mythology, our storytelling, are very near and dear to us,' says Ngāi Tahu archaeologist Kyle Davis, who is working on the moa de-extinction project. 'Participation in scientific research, species management, and conservation has been a large part of our activities.' 'This is completely a Māori initiative,' adds Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal. 'We feel like the Colossal team is an extension of the research center and the Māori.' Bringing back the moa would have implications not only for the species itself but for the environment it once inhabited and could again. The bird was what is known as a cornerstone species, one whose grazing and browsing helped prune and shape the jungle flora. Moas were also prolific dispersers of seeds from the plants they ate. The loss of the species not only eliminated that forest-restoring function, but also led to the related extinction of the Haast's eagle, which relied almost exclusively on the moa as prey. Restoring the moa would not bring the eagle back but could help at least partly restore the primal New Zealand woodlands. Bringing back the moa is of a piece with Colossal's other work, which seeks not only to restore vanished species, but to prevent related ones from slipping over the event horizon of extinction. Genetic engineering mastered in the dire wolf project, for example, is being used to edit greater diversity into the genome of the endangered red wolf. Knowledge gained in the effort to bring back the thylacine could similarly help preserve the related northern quoll. 'There are some species of birds on the South Island of New Zealand that are endangered due to the fact that they have reduced gene pools,' says Paul Scofield, senior curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum, author of 20 papers on the moa genome, and one of the scientists working on the de-extinction project. 'Some of the technology that Colossal is working with is very applicable to them.' Read more: Scientists Have Bred Woolly Mice on Their Journey to Bring Back the Mammoth That technology is decidedly challenging. De-extincting the dire wolf involved sequencing ancient DNA collected from fossil specimens and then rewriting the genome of cells from a gray wolf to resemble the extinct species with the lost ancient genes. The edited nucleus was then inserted into a domestic dog ovum whose own nucleus had been removed. That ovum was allowed to develop into an embryo in the lab and then implanted into the womb of a surrogate domestic dog, which carried the dire wolf pup to term.' Bringing back the extinct moa is harder since the incubating will be done outside the body, inside an egg. The first step in this work once again calls for sequencing the genome of the extinct target species and once again turning to a closely related living species—either the tinamou or the emu—for help. Colossal scientists will extract primordial germ cells—or cells that develop into egg and sperm—from a tinamou or emu embryo and rewrite their genome to match key features of the moa. Those edited cells will then be introduced into another embryonic tinamou or emu inside an egg. If all goes to plan, the cells will travel to the embryo's gonads, transforming them so that the females produce eggs and the males produce sperm not of the host species but of the moa. The result will be an emu or tinamou that hatches, grows up, mates, and produces eggs containing moa chicks. 'We've had some pretty big successes so far,' says Lamm. 'We have a breeding colony of tinamous but not emus, but have access to emu eggs through the many breeders out there." None of this means that the work is remotely done. Lamm concedes it could be up to ten years before a moa once again walks New Zealand—though it could come sooner. 'I'd rather underpromise and overdeliver,' he says. For now, Colossal and the Ngāi Tahu Research Center are still working to sequence the moa genome, and to do that they have to get their hands on more DNA samples. Museum specimens of moa remains satisfy some of that demand, but DNA degrades significantly over the centuries and what can't be harvested from private collections has to be dug up in field excavations—with a special eye to long, DNA-rich moa bones like the femur and tibia. 'There are a couple of really significant fossil sites, particularly one in North Canterbury, about an hour north of Christchurch,' says Scofield. 'So far we've sampled more than 60 individuals.' If those don't prove sufficient, he adds, 'we will have to go out and dig some more holes.' None of this comes cheap, and while Lamm does not disclose the exact funding for the moa de-extinction project, he does say it is an eight-figure sum. 'I saw the new Jurassic World movie and someone in it says it costs $72 million to bring back one animal,' he says. 'I was like, 'That's probably accurate.'' That up-front expenditure could pay off handsomely down the line, boosting ecotourism to New Zealand and benefiting Colossal's basic research, which is already showing for-profit potential. So far, Colossal has spun off two new companies: One, called Breaking, uses engineered microbes and enzymes to break down plastic waste. The other, Form Bio, provides AI and computational biology platforms for drug development. But it's the intangibles—the wonder of midwifing a long-extinct species back to the global family of extant ones—that is Colossal's and the Māori's most transcendent work. 'This has an excitement value to it that movies don't have,' says Jackson. 'When I see a living moa for the first time I'm going to be absolutely amazed beyond anything I've ever felt.' Write to Jeffrey Kluger at
