Search Results for: current recommendations
What Is Normal Body Fat Percentage for Women?
Adipose tissue, or fat, is essential for the body to function properly. According to the American Council on Exercise, women need a body fat percentage of 10 to 12 percent for the tissue to adequately protect the body, regulate temperature, provide insulation, produce sex hormones and supply enough fuel to carry out activities. Dangers arise when the body stores too much fat. The American Heart Association states that a higher body fat percentage can lead to greater risks for developing diabetes, strokes, gallstones, high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease, even among women categorized in the “normal” range for weight and body mass index (BMI). A study released in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that levels of inflammation, which indicates a future risk for obesity, heart disease and metabolic disorders, correlated with a woman’s percentage of body fat and not with body weight or BMI.
How Long to Nurse a Child
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to know how long to nurse your child so as to get the optimal health benefit for your baby. Most current research on the health benefits of breastfeeding centers on the first six months to a year of life. After this point, the medical data on extended breastfeeding–breastfeeding beyond a year old–tapers off, and the decision to breastfeed becomes a personal one.
Malaak, Chris Rock's Wife, Gives Back
Malaak Rock, wife of comedian Chris Rock, has chosen to give back to her community. For the past year, the 40-year-old mother of 2 young girls, has been mentoring teens at the Salvation Army Bushwick Community Center in Brooklyn, New York. Rock said she was drawn there to start her program, Journey for Change, because it’s where her husband hung out when he was young.