The December 2011 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch reports on new research that says social interactions have a ripple effect that extends far beyond household and family units.

Weight: Two of every three Americans are overweight or obese. There are many explanations for our expanding waistlines, starting with lack of exercise and excessively large portions of calorie-dense prepared and processed foods. But an interesting study suggests that social interactions may also play a role.

Researchers from Harvard and the University of California investigated 12,067 people who had been evaluated medically on multiple occasions from 1971 to 2003 as part of the Framingham Heart Study. They found that if one sibling became obese during the study, the chance that another sibling would become obese increased by 40%.

Genetics might account for some of the parallel weight gain in siblings, but not for the fact that if a spouse became obese, the likelihood that the other spouse would follow suit jumped by 37%.  That's no surprise, since spouses share meals and may have similar exercise habits?but scientists also found that if a person had a friend who became obese, his chance of growing obese rose by 57%.

Scientists suspect a major factor is that a social network influences what its members perceive as normal and acceptable. If a man sees his friends become obese over time, he may accept weight gain as natural, even inevitable.

Mood: The Framingham Heart Study's database also served as the foundation for a study of happiness. In this case, 4,739 people who were tracked between 1983 and 2003 served as the primary study population. Together, these subjects reported a total of 53,228 social ties to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Detailed medical and psychological information was available for many of the Framingham volunteers.

The researchers used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale to evaluate happiness at the start of the study and at subsequent follow-up examinations. Researchers looked at changes in mood over time.

The Framingham study confirmed many earlier findings about the factors that determine a person's happiness. But it added an unexpected finding: happiness can also spread more diversely and broadly across social networks.

The scientists found that if one spouse became happy, the likelihood that the other spouse would become happy increased by 8%. Siblings who became happy increased the other sibling's chance of becoming happy by 14%. In fact, the spread of happiness seemed to reach across at least three degrees of separation, spreading, for example, from a friend to the friend of a friend and then to the friend of that friend. However, the impact diminished with each degree of separation, and even within first-degree contacts, it began to wane after six to 12 months.

If doctors learn to harness the benefits of natural social networks to spread healthful habits, positive attitudes, and wise lifestyle choices through communities, they may be able to improve public health. This new area of research is worthy of further study, so for now, call it a network in progress.

Read the full-length article:  "Social networks and health"

Q&A on Medicare open enrollment with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:    What does open enrollment mean for seniors?

A:    The Medicare open enrollment period for 2012 is under way.  Any enrollee who wants to change plans needs to do so by December 7, 2011.   The annual enrollment period applies to Medicare Parts A and B, which is traditional Medicare; the alternative to Medicare Parts A and B, which is Medicare Advantage; and Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug program added to Medicare in 2003.

During open enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries don't have to make changes if they don't want or need to.  They can switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, move from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare, or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.  They can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, drop Medicare prescription drug coverage, or switch from one drug plan to another.

Helpful consumer information is available at www.Medicare.gov/find-a-plan.

Q:    What happens if plans are discontinued?

A:    Most Medicare enrollees will not need to change plans, and most enrollees whose current coverage won't be available next year - whether it's Medicare Advantage or one of the Medicare drug benefit plans - will be enrolled automatically in a new plan, as spelled out in a Notice of Change that insurers were required to send beneficiaries in October.  However, automatic re-enrollment is not always the case, so it's important to read any paperwork you receive this fall.  You may need to re-enroll yourself.

Some insurance plans make changes to prescription drug plans.  It might be higher or lower costs, or the dropping or adding of medications.  Medicare beneficiaries should examine their plans for 2012 changes.  It's important to review your options every year for both financial and health needs.

For 2012, Medicare beneficiaries have plan options that offer enhanced coverage, including zero deductibles and coverage in the gap for generic drugs.  In Iowa, there are 33 Medicare prescription drug plans available for 2012.  These plans offer additional options, such as coverage in the standard benefit's coverage gap and a deductible below the standard $310, including plans without a deductible.  For 2012, the lowest Medicare prescription drug plan available in Iowa for 2012 is $15.10 per month.  Overall, drug plans have seen a slight decrease in premiums for 2012.  I co-authored the legislation that created the Medicare prescription drug program.  Competition among insurers was built into the program design to keep costs low for enrollees, and the program has delivered consistently better-than-expected results in keeping premiums low and affordable.  Beneficiary satisfaction also is high, with 95 percent of enrollees saying their Part D plan works well, and 94 percent saying it's easy to use, in a survey conducted this year.

Q:    What kind of help is available to sort through enrollment questions?

A:    Many states, including Iowa, have set up Senior Health Insurance Information Programs.  Iowa's program provides confidential guidance to individuals, and it's free of charge.  Those who have questions about plan options or unresolved issues with plans should call the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP, at 1-800-351-4664.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Author: Stephanie Walsh, M.D., Medical Director, Child Wellness, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

The Thanksgiving holiday season is a wonderful time of the year filled with family, friends and of course, food. While the spirit of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for all that we have, the holiday has become increasingly focused on food and eating. There's no harm in enjoying a meal with your family on Thanksgiving, but it's important to remember that the purpose of the holiday is not simply to over-eat.

Childhood obesity continues to be a threatening epidemic in Georgia. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is continuing to see cases of obesity at all three of its hospitals. The consequences of obesity on children include health issues that are typically seen only in adults, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint problems and high cholesterol. Strong4Life aims to help families take small steps that add up to big changes to help prevent or reverse the consequences of obesity.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways you can make this Thanksgiving a healthier one for the whole family. Strong4Life helps families bring together four essential building blocks every kid needs to be healthy - Eat Right, Be Active, Get Support and Have Fun. You don't have to take a break from trying to be healthy just because it's the holidays; instead, try incorporating one or two of the tips below into your family's holiday routine:

Eat Right

• Try to incorporate more whole fruits and vegetables into your Thanksgiving meal; you'll save on the calories that are often added to fruits and vegetables to make heavy casseroles.
• Serve water with sliced lemon or lime with your Thanksgiving meal instead of sugary beverages like lemonade, alcohol and sweet tea. You'll get more flavor with less sugar and calories.

Be Active

• Leading up to Thanksgiving, encourage your family to spend one less hour in front of the television and one more hour of physical activity per day to help offset the extra calories consumed on Thanksgiving Day.
• On Thanksgiving Day, consider leaving the T.V. and computers off all day so your family will have more opportunities to be active.

Get Support

• Sometimes, overindulging at the holidays can lead to eating unhealthy all of the time. Try to recognize when your family's holiday eating has become an unhealthy habit and work together as a family to make better choices.
• If you are concerned about childhood obesity, talk to your healthcare provider about more steps your family can take to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Have Fun

• Play a game of touch football, Frisbee or kickball after the Thanksgiving meal to help everyone feel energized rather than lethargic.
• Promote "play time" and encourage activities that are fun and physical such as hop-scotch, jumping rope, tag or hide-and-go-seek.

Remember that parents serve as role models for their children, so make sure your actions are ones that you would want your children to follow. By making a few simple changes, your whole family can enjoy a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

MILWAUKEE, WI - Thanksgiving is filled with good food, company, and gratitude.  For many people, it's also the source of weight gain and anxiety.  This season, don't let the holidays derail your healthy habits.  TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, offers tips to eat right, stay active, and reduce stress.

Eat without Regret

• Watch portion sizes. You don't need to fill your plate with everything that's offered.  Sample your favorite foods and use a smaller plate to "trick" yourself into thinking you have consumed more.

• Slow down. Take time to enjoy your food and stop eating before you feel full.

• Change the focus to family at the table. Food and drinks are a large part of the holidays, but they don't have to be the focus.  Instead, go around the table and have everyone say why they are thankful, share favorite holiday memories, and reconnect.

• Don't forget about breakfast. Approaching the Thanksgiving meal on an empty stomach can be a recipe for disaster.  A nutritious breakfast helps control appetite, so you aren't as inclined to overindulge during dinner.  Breakfast can also keep energy levels up.

• Send off leftovers. Don't fill your refrigerator with leftovers; send extra food home with guests.  This will help avoid temptation to dip back into high-calorie treats.

Stay Active

• Take a hike or go for a walk. Make time to get moving on Thanksgiving Day.  Take a walk or hike in the morning or head outside after dinner.  Many communities offer "Turkey Trots," a 5K walk/run, which can be an invigorating way to kick off the day.

• Plan an activity. The day doesn't need to revolve around the Thanksgiving meal.  Go for a family bike ride, play football, or have a relay race for the kids.

Say Goodbye to Holiday Stress

• Take time for yourself. During the holidays, there can be a lot of togetherness.  It's important to spend a few minutes alone periodically to give yourself time to recharge.  Take a nap, listen to music, or simply sneak off to a quiet room in the house to clear your mind.

• Be thankful. Feeling stressed or tired?  Find yourself complaining?  Take time to think about or write down the things you're thankful for, big or small.  Being grateful can decrease stress, boost the immune system, and improve sleep patterns.

• Share the load. There's no reason only one person should plan, cook, and entertain.  If guests offer to prepare a dish, let them bring it to your Thanksgiving celebration.  Also, have the kids help with household chores.  This will decrease your workload and make the holiday more pleasant.

• Help those less fortunate. Forget about your troubles for the day and spend time volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food pantry.  Spread cheer by giving back, taking the focus off of your own stress and helping others in need.

• Breathe! It may seem simple, but people tend to forget to breathe when they're stressed.  Take deep breaths to increase your oxygen intake.  Find a comfortable place to rest and consciously slow the rate of your breathing.  You'll be amazed how good you will feel.

• Keep it simple. Make a few fancy dishes and keep the others easy.  It's okay to scale back the meal and festivities, so you enjoy the holiday rather than spend all of your time preparing.

To successfully employ these tips, make sure to plan ahead and practice an attitude of gratitude.  The holidays are a time to focus on the people in your life, so make an effort to take the emphasis off of sweet treats and creating the perfect meal and be thankful for friends, family, and good health.

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization.  Founded more than 63 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind.  TOPS promotes successful weight management with a "Real People. Real Weight Loss." philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information.  TOPS has about 170,000 members - male and female, age seven and older - in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge.  Membership is affordable at just $26 per year, plus nominal chapter fees.  To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

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