Health and Hollywood

The press release by Acorn Media group on Bethenny Frankel’s DVD “Body by Bethenny” is newsworthy, written in AP Style, and slanted towards its client.  The release has a creative, tasteful edge in the way that it describes the DVD. For example, this can be seen in the line:

“Unleash your best body as you work out with Bethenny Frankel,
celebrated natural food chef, TV star of The Real Housewives of New York City,
and New York Times bestselling author of Naturally Thin and The Skinnygirl
Dish.”

This sentence may be a little lengthy, however, and could simply focus on one aspect of her career, followed with another sentence explaining the multiple things she is known for.

The press release does a good job of describing what the exercise routines on the DVD involve. This is evident in the line, “You’ll get toned abs, thighs, glutes, and arms while increasing flexibility and balance.”

The press release contains a “Special Features” section that describes the DVD’s cooking segment and recipe booklet.

The release finishes with when the DVD will be available, how much it costs, and the equipment needed to go along with it.

There is sufficient Press contact information at the bottom of the press release as well.

Many have featured this DVD on their fitness and entertainment websites, for example, Reality TV Online.com in its article, “Body by Bethenny- a review of the
new Exercise DVD from Bethenny Frankel.”

In the article, Bethenny’s workout DVD is critiqued for both its good and bad qualities, as well as a further explanation for Bethenny’s motivation to make the video.

For example the line, “I can appreciate her approach to this program but would caution those considering buying it that it is not for a beginner,” critiques the DVD and suggests it may not be right for everyone.

The article goes on to say, “A rudimentary knowledge of Yoga, as well as strength training and lower body exercises would be ideal.”

This follow-up article is an example of how news, or in this case a review, is generated after a press release.

A picture of the "Crazy Sexy Diet" book, by Kris Carr

With the recent growing trend of veganism among celebrities such as Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie, many Americans may want to learn more about veganism themselves, yet are uncertain where to turn.

According to an article by Siel Ju, the new book “Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!” by Kris Carr focuses on an alkaline diet and methods such as meditation to live an overall healthier life.

Instead of focusing on losing weight, the “Crazy Sexy Diet” focuses on moving away from the unhealthy American processed food and factory-farmed meats, Ju explained.

A variation on the traditional vegan diet, which involves not eating or using any product with meat in it, the author concentrates on an alkaline diet, which involves eating at least 60 percent raw greens, Ju said.

Carr recommends lifestyle tips such as meditation and yoga along with vegan eating habits, Ju said.

The book also includes an essay by Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, on how to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in personal care products, Ju said.

Cabbage hemp salad and vanilla chia tapioca pudding are two of many recipes the book contains for vegans, Ju said.

The author takes it a step further by incorporating Eco-friendly eating habits into the book, Ju explained.

She recommends eating locally grown produce and skipping bottled water and unhealthy chemicals.

Ju also said that Carr writes about occasional liquid cleanses in her book, although these are not necessarily approved or recommended by doctors.

Overall, Ju said the book has a likable, upbeat, sassy tone, while recommending taking things at your own pace and not being hard on yourself.

The Kardashians endorse the product Quick Trim

BGSU students are mostly opposed to the latest celebrity diet trends, despite growing commercialization of weight-loss products.

Students see many advertisements for weight-loss enhancers throughout their day, whether they are working out at the recreation center, watching TV in the dorms, or listening to the radio in
their cars.

Famous celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro from MTV’s Jersey Shore are recognized for their recent endorsement of products like Quick Trim and Xenadrine.

Known as weight-loss supplements, these products contain ingredients such as Ephedrine in their formulas which increase metabolism and suppress appetite, according to the article “The
real skinny on weight-loss supplements” by Martin Downs of MedicineNet.com.

University students were quick to challenge these products.

“These things are an unhealthy, unnatural way of losing weight,” said Stephanie Michel, 19, of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose major is art.

Many students agreed these products interfere with the way the body is supposed to naturally function.

Weight-loss products like Hydroxycut, another weight-loss supplement, are dangerous, said Sean Kennedy, 20, of Columbus, Ohio, whose major is undecided.

“Once you get hooked on it, you can become addicted. As soon as you stop taking it, you will gain the weight back,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy suggests trying other celebrity diet and exercise programs. He has tried the “Ryan Reynolds” diet and exercise program, which consists of more calorie intake through four meals a
day, paired with exercise, he said.

Other students have never tried any diet pills and said they never will.

Zach Cundiff, 20, of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose major is special education, said that diet pills may work quickly for some people but do not give lasting results.

“Your body can become accustomed to taking these pills,” said Cundiff. “I won’t try anything to just quickly lose 20 pounds.”

For some students, weight-loss supplements sparked an even deeper problem in American society.

Stacie Nagy, 20, of Bowling Green, Ohio, whose major is exercise science, said weight-loss supplements support extreme dieting, which goes against the proper way to keep your body.

“Dieting is a huge controversy today. The public icon is still skinny and tall, and we now see a more extreme dieting controversy,” Nagy said.

People need to be better educated on the right diet and have an improved body image, she said.

“Everyone does not have the same body. Each of us are different, and no matter how hard you try, you won’t look like that model you want to look like,” she said.

Other students focused on what people should do instead of taking weight-loss supplements.

Amanda Milkovich, 19, from Columbus, Ohio, who is a special education major, suggested an all- natural diet and exercise routine.

“If you simply go to a nutritionist, or just learn how to eat healthier and exercise, you’re avoiding
putting these harmful chemicals in your body,” she said.

When asked about extreme cases where people may need a weight-loss supplement to help them kick-start losing weight, Milkovich still said she would choose a natural approach.

“Nothing’s ever easy,” she said, “You have to work for it.”

Photo from Quicktrimreviews.net.

Patti Stanger is known to use the Sensa diet.

The popular “Sensa” diet used by celebrities such as Millionaire Matchmaker’s Patti Stanger may be more controversial than true, according to the article, “The Sensa sprinkle diet sparks skepticism” by KLTV.com.

The Sensa diet involves the sprinkling of the product’s powder onto food before eating it. The powder contains scented Sensa crystals, which enhance the flavor of the food, the article said.

This powder supposedly helps curb appetite, resulting in less consumption of food.

The article presents Wendy Bassett, a consumer of the product. Basset said that after a year, Sensa helped her lose almost 90 lbs.

Alan Hirsch, inventor of Sensa, said that the scent triggers a reaction in the brain that makes a person believe they’re full.

“The urge to eat is not governed by the stomach, but the satiety of the brain,” Hirsch said, according to the article.

The article explains that as a result of using Sensa, people eat less and simultaneously lose weight.

Controversy arises as weight loss drug researchers attempt to find information which would prove the drug works, the article said.

Dr. Frank Greenway, a scientist at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, said he cannot find proof which would show whether the drug works or not.

According to the article, Greenway found it troubling he could not find Dr. Hirsch’s work published in any mainstream scientific journals.

“I think it’s incumbent upon a scientist who claims something to be able to show other scientists what they’ve done,” he said, according to the article.

There has been little done to test the validity of claims which consumers of the product like Bassett make, the article said.

Also, the study by the LSU doctor was written by the creator of Sensa, the article said.

Although there have been many personal accounts which support the Sensa diet, no outside studies have recently been conducted to show the results can be proven true, the article concluded.

Photo of Patti Stanger can be found here.

Usain Bolt endorses the drink "Gatorade Bolt."

Michael Jordon drinks it. Serena Williams eats it. Extra vitamins, why not?

A recent study by the Cancer Council of Victoria shows people may be acting too quickly by purchasing foods that are endorsed by celebrities or make claims to have added nutritional value.

According to an article by Thomas Hunter of theage.com.au on Tuesday, the study shows parents are two-and-a-half times more likely to buy junk food for their children if it is supported by a sports celebrity.

The study included 1500 parents whom were asked to choose, based on packaging, between two products: one which was junk food and another healthier food.

Hunter explains how the researchers discovered that parents who didn’t read the nutrition label were two-and-a-half times more likely to buy the product if it was endorsed by a sports celebrity. The parents were also twice as likely to buy the product if it made a claim such as extra vitamins or fiber.

Hunter consults Jane Martin, the senior policy advisor at the Obesity Policy Coalition body run by Cancer Council of Victoria.

Martin claims, “This study shows that endorsement by a sports star and selective nutrient claims are powerful promotional devices that can potentially mislead parents about the nutritional benefits of products.”

Martin expresses how there are many products in the supermarket which claim to be better than actuality.

The cereal bar Nutri-Grain, she explains, is high in sugar and salt, yet advertises itself as an “iron-man food.”

Another example she gives is the celebrity-endorsed sports drink Gatorade Bolt. Even though it is endorsed by the “world-record holding sprinter,” Usain Bolt, it is comprised of more than eight teaspoons of sugar in 600 milliliters of water.

A solution? Hunter reports on Martin’s suggestion for potentially removing the marketing influence on parents.  She suggests the recent federal government’s review of food-labeling which would place a “multiple traffic light system” on the packaging of food.

This system would highlight foods high in sugar, fat, and salt content, with different colored “traffic lights” for each. Martin states, “People would be able to compare, at a glance, which is the healthiest option.”

Marketing, celebrity endorsement, and product claims all seem to play a role in the influence of people’s decisions in buying food. Problems continue to arise surrounding the truthful representation of the nutritional quality of food, which may or may not always come through with marketing and promotion influences.

Photo of Usain Bolt can be found here.

Everyone knows laughing is contagious, but “Laughter Yoga”?

Dr. Kataria in a "Laughter Yoga" t-shirt. Photo from wordpress.com

According to the article by Marcelo Gleiser’s from npr.org, the “laughter yoga” movement developed by an Indian doctor, Dr. Madan Kataria continues to spread among celebrities, people, and places around the world.

Gleiser explains how Dr. Kataria has invented exercises and techniques that “induce laughter” on people, naming it “laughter yoga.”  Laughter is very good for both the physical and psychological well-being, and doing “laughter yoga” can change your life, claims Kataria.

This short video from the TV show “Celebrity Fit Club” shows just how the “laughter yoga” works and is growing throughout the world in clubs and a part of resorts.

According to Gleiser, Kataria’s movement has “spread like wildfire around the world.” In the event called Pangea Day in fall of 2010, Kataria’s ideas were showcased. During this event, Kataria was introduced by Goldie Hawn from Sony Picture Studios in LA. He trains “people interested in opening laughing clubs” for free, Gleiser said.

But can laughter really improve your health? Gleiser attempts to answer this question by going to Robert Provine, a neuroscientist from the University of Maryland and author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.

Provine claims, “Faster and better physical health through laughter remains an unrealized, tantalizing, but still reasonable prospect.”

Gleiser explains how many studies have been done to try and “measure the medical benefits of laughter.” However, studies have not shown conclusive evidence to support that the health is actually improved by laughing.

While science may not convincingly show how laughing directly improves one’s health, Dr. Kataria’s “feel good” exercises continue to spread around the world as people seem to catch the contagious feeling of laughing.

As Gleiser says, “Apart from the occasional stomach cramp, it surely can’t hurt.”

One thing’s for certain, the next time you hear the terms, “laughing yoga” or “laughing club”, you can knowingly smile.

Photo of Dr. Kataria can be found here.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough perform on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

With the recent explosion of Zumba dance classes and dance-based TV Shows, it is evident many are starting to see the health benefits associated with dancing.

An article written by Shannon O’Brien of the Herald News this week discusses the trend of the “dance fever” incorporated in TV shows which showcase celebrities, and the physical and mental health benefits that come with dancing.

Referencing the well-known shows “Dancing with the Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, and “Live to Dance”, the article converses the recent trend of everyday people and celebrities dancing to get in shape. O’Brien describes the latest body transformations of stars such as Kelly Osbourne on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and the positive impacts dancing can have on anyone.

She presents dance “enthusiast” Gene Weiser of Springfield, IL. , a dancer who she says, “is an example of how dancing can benefit health.” Although Weiser did not train as hard as celebrities on these shows, he experienced a strengthening of muscles around his knee from dancing three to four times a week. His dancing eventually helped him avoid an expected knee replacement.

O’Brien continues the article with an explanation of other benefits of dancing, by presenting Dr. Careyana Brenham, an associate professor of family and community medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. O’Brien reports that Brenham stresses the importance of the “fun factor” associated with dancing.

Brenham explains how dancing helps with both memory skills from learning step combinations, and improving balance and stretching abilities. She also stresses how much energy can be derived from dancing, and how it does more overall than just help people get into shape.

O’Brien finishes with the story of Marilyn Ferry, a president of a dance club in Illinois. Ferry says how dancing helped her after her divorce. She gives a personal account of going out country dancing during the evenings with friends. These evenings made her feel better, and allowed her to connect with friends again, she says.

One thing’s clear, the recent explosion of dancing in the media and its mental and physical health benefits is something to be recognized. The dance “fever” inevitably continues to grow as waistlines continue to shrink.

Photo by ABC from heraldnews.com