Liliana Almeida, Ph.D.

01/17/2020

01/07/2020

“body mass index charts were created about 200 years ago by Lambert Quetelent (a mathematician, NOT a physician) as a way to categorize people for his research and were never meant to be an indicator of health. Also, fun fact in the 1990’s a bunch of Americans went to bed and woke up “overweight.” Their body size hadn’t changed-however against recommendations from The World Health Organization, an “obesity task force” (which was funded by the makers of a weight-loss drug) decided to lower the BMI. The reality is that BMI really tells you nothing about someone’s health or behaviors.”

GETTY IMAGESMany people have this idea in their heads of a number that they consider to be their “ideal weight.”So where do they get this from? Some look at the body mass index charts, which were created about 200 years ago by Lambert Quetelent (a mathematician, NOT a physician) as a way to cate...

12/24/2019

“During the holidays, the developmental priorities and needs of children may become buried under the mountain of expectations we place on our families and ourselves. Although parents intend to build amazing experiences and memories for their families, the effort to achieve that often overshadows the things kids need most. The joy of anticipation, the delight of receiving meaningful gifts and the memories created by participating in holiday rituals are all good things. But it’s also important to keep the following things in mind so everyone can enjoy a successful celebratory season.”

In the rush to create picture-perfect holiday memories, parents may fall into the trap of creating giant to-do lists, impossible to complete.

12/14/2019

“When it becomes operational, the 988 dial-code will provide mental health support and ease pressure on the 911 line, which covers all emergencies.”

When operational, the 988 number will replace a 12-digit hotline, making it easier to get help.

12/13/2019

“Male su***de is rising at such an alarming rate that it’s been classified as a “silent epidemic.” It’s the seventh leading cause of death for males. That’s a staggering statistic. Drill down into the numbers and su***de is the second most common cause of death for every age group for men 10 through 39.”

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Here's why it's vital to men everywhere.

11/16/2019

“The research is clear. Academic training in kindergarten has no long-term benefit. In fact, it may cause long-term harm. It does not reduce the education gap between the rich and the poor, which is the usual reason offered for such training. It slightly increases academic test-scores in first grade, but by third grade the benefit is lost and, according to some of the best studies, by fourth grade those subjected to academic kindergartens are doing worse—academically as well as socially and emotionally—than those who were in play-based kindergartens”

How can teachers bring common sense and compassion to education policy?

11/14/2019

"A new study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), finds adolescents and young adults whose weight is in the healthy, overweight or obese ranges face similar cardiovascular and other health complications as their counterparts with low body mass index (BMI)."

A new study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), finds adolescents and young adults whose weight is in the healthy, overweight or obese ranges face similar cardiovascular and other

08/01/2019

First of all, it reinforces crappy social norms.

01/30/2019

“Research suggests that preschool- and elementary-age children are more dissatisfied with their bodies now than ever before, that girls as young as 3 already perceive heaviness as “bad” and thinness as “good,” and that more than one-third of 5-year-old girls restrict their eating in order to stay thin.”

Parents can emphasize healthiness without talking about weight or body size.

01/22/2019

"The CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) uncovered a stunning link between childhood trauma and the chronic diseases people develop as adults, as well as social and emotional problems. This includes heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and many autoimmune diseases, as well as depression, violence, being a victim of violence, and su***de"

Check out this link to find out your ACE score and learn more about ACES.

What’s Your ACE Score? (and, at the end, What’s Your Resilience Score?) There are 10 types of childhood trauma measured in the ACE Study. Five are personal — physical abuse, verba…

12/04/2018

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, School of Public Health, explored how yoga could help people see themselves in a better light.