The Warrior Diet restricts eating some foods for 20 hours a day and lets people overeat from dinnertime.

The Warrior Diet is based on intermittent fasting principles and could offer health benefits and weight loss for some people.

However, this diet may not be suitable, safe, or even necessary for many.

This article explores what the Warrior Diet is and how it works. It also discusses potential benefits and downsides, how to follow the diet, and what to eat.

The Warrior Diet is a diet based on intermittent fasting.

Fitness specialist Ori Hofmekler has written several books about dieting. He created The Warrior Diet, which he published in 2002.

According to the authors website, Hofmekler has based the Warrior Diet on survival science and his nutrition knowledge.

The regimen aims to help people lose weight and fat by eating most of their calories within a 4-hour window.

The Warrior Diet philosophy is that the body is pre-programmed to follow life cycles that evolved to improve our survival.

These cycles include periods of undereating and overeating, exercise and rest, and wake and sleep.

Hofmekler believes that interrupting these cycles due to chronic stress or too many meals in the day affects the bodys ability to adapt and perform. The result of interrupting cycles could be weight gain and obesity.

However, scientific studies do not necessarily support these claims.

The Warrior Diet has three initial phases that people perform over 3 weeks:

Phase one (week 1), detox: Aims to improve the bodys capacity to remove toxins and helps the liver neutralize substances that trigger fat gain.

Phase two (week 2), adaptation to fat fuel: Aims to improve the bodys ability to utilize fat for energy.

Phase three (week 3), adaptation to carbohydrate fuel: Aims to improve the bodys ability to utilize carbs for energy.

Each phase involves periods of undereating during the day and overeating from dinner onward.

No research specifically supports the Warrior Diet.

However, there are studies on the benefits of intermittent fasting.

For instance, one small study looked at the effect of fasting from dawn to sunset on participants with metabolic syndrome.

After 4 weeks, the researchers found that the participants had a reduction in body mass index and waist circumference and improvements in blood pressure.

However, the design of this study differs from the Warrior Diet. For example, the participants fasted completely, with no food or drink. The fasting window of 14 hours was also shorter than the diets 20-hour period.

Other studies suggest the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting could be weight loss, decreased cholesterol, and improved heart health.

However, the period of fasting and eating varies in studies, as does the amount of calories participants eat.

These variations mean it is difficult to apply the specific benefits to the Warrior Diet.

Fasting may alter the hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin, according to some research. However, it is not conclusive how macronutrients and the timing of meals affect these hormones.

The Warrior Diet is highly restrictive and unnecessary for most people. It may also lead to potentially dangerous side effects, such as fatigue, irritability, and fainting.

It is important to find a healthful diet that nourishes a persons body and suits their lifestyle.

Most of the research on intermittent fasting is on middle-aged adults with overweight.

The National Institute on Aging state we need more studies to determine if this type of eating pattern is safe for people with moderate weight, as well as younger people and older adults.

The Warrior Diet may not be suitable for people with health conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding people, people with underweight, and those with a current or previous eating disorder.

Athletes and those who regularly participate in sport may need more food to sustain their training regimes.

The Warrior Diet may be challenging in social eating situations and could produce side effects in some people. It could also lead to eating disorders.

Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new diet program.

The following is an example of how to follow the Warrior Diet. Remember to speak with a doctor before trying this program.

People need to undereat after waking until the evening meal.

Do not consume animal flesh protein such as meat, poultry, or fish. Instead, eat:

During this phase, people can drink tea and coffee with regular milk and no sugar. They can also drink fresh juices.

From dinner onwards, people can overeat. They should eat the first serving of food and then take a 20-minute break. If they are still hungry, they then eat more of the same food. The break allows a person to respond to their bodys satiety signals indicating they are full.

Example of evening meal foods:

Additionally, people must eliminate all sugars, candies, and sweeteners during phase one.

During this phase, people should eat a handful of nuts with meals at night. High-fat foods, such as nuts and seeds, help regulate the satiety hormone leptin.

Daytime undereating foods and instructions are the same as week 1.

People can eat the same foods as week 1 for night-time overeating, but replace the beans with animal protein such as meat, fish, or eggs.

If someone is too full to eat the protein after the handful of nuts, they can leave out the protein the emphasis is on eating the nuts.

People can eat raw nuts, including almonds, walnuts, and pecans.

Avoid eating starchy or sweet foods during this phase.

The third phase involves alternating between high-carb and high-protein meals. People should eat according to the following cycles:

The undereating foods are the same as weeks 1 and 2.

People can add high carb foods during the overeating period according to which cycle they are on. They should choose one main carb per meal from the following:

Someone can include carbs with their main choice but in small quantities. They must still take a 20-minute break between meals.

Following the initial 3 weeks, people can rotate between the phases according to their individual needs.

Once someone completes the initial phases, they can enjoy a glass of wine with a high protein meal.

However, they should not drink beer or other alcoholic beverages.

The Warrior Diet also advises people to take various nutritional supplements such as multivitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Although there is no research to support the Warrior Diet, the benefits to health and weight loss from intermittent fasting may be relevant.

The diet may not be suitable or safe for certain groups of people. It could also lead to eating disorders in some.

The diets complexity and restrictions mean that a person will have difficulties with eating out socially. They may also find the program difficult to follow.

It is unnecessary to follow restrictive programs, such as the Warrior Diet, to maintain a moderate weight or healthful lifestyle. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to find an eating plan suitable for a persons lifestyle and health goals.

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The warrior diet: Pros, cons, how to follow it, and example meal plan - Medical News Today

George Clooney had a health scare right before shooting began on his new Netflix film The Midnight Sky. The actor was diagnosed with pancreatitis and hospitalised after experiencing stomach pains just days before cameras started rolling on the sci-fi project that counts him as both director and star. The film features the 59-year-old Oscar winner as Augustine Lofthouse, an astrophysicist battling cancer who is tasked with warning a team of astronauts not to return to Earth. To get into character, the Gravity star decided to lose weight for the role. "I think I was trying too hard to lose the weight quickly and probably wasn't taking care of myself," Clooney told the Mirror. The actor also pointed out that filming in harsh climates made this shoot particularly challenging. The Midnight Sky's cast includes Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demin Bichir and Kyle Chandler.

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George Clooney was hospitalised after weight loss for 'The Midnight Sky' | Glitterati - Mag The Weekly Magazine

Increased adiposity was shown to be causally protective for breast and prostate cancer, according to the results of a new study presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2020 Virtual Meeting.1

The investigators suggested that the protective effects observed in prostate cancer may, at least in part, be due to safe sequestration of harmful chemicals in adipose cells. However, further research will still be required to provide sufficient evidence of these findings.

Its first necessary to figure out the mechanisms through which obesity may protect against or be a risk factor for cancer, Hasnat Amin, BSc, a doctoral student at Brunel University London, said in a press release.2 The next step would be to use these mechanisms to maximize the protective effect of obesity on breast and prostate cancer risk without the often-reported negative effects of increased weight on cardiometabolic health.

In this study, investigators used 1-sample Mendelian randomization to assess the causal effect of adiposity measures, including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, on breast and prostate cancer risk in the UK Biobank (UKB); the prospective cohort study included over 500,000 participants. The study findings were then replicated by 2-sample Mendelian randomization using data from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium, or BCAC, which included 122,977 cases of breast cancer and 105,974 controls, and the Prostate Cancer Association Group to Investigate Cancer-Associated Alterations in the Genome, or PRACTICAL, Consortium, which included 79,194 cases of prostate cancer and 61,112 controls.

The investigators revealed that women who were genetically predisposed to being heavier developed breast cancer at lower rates than those who were not. These data suggest that the higher risks of breast cancer typically associated with increased weight may be due to other factors.

Further, heavier men were found to be less likely to develop prostate cancer compared with those who weighed less, both observationally and when using genetically predicted measures. Importantly, this correlation was significantly greater in men who were exposed to carcinogenic substances at work, since fat cells likely play a role in absorbing and safely storing harmful chemicals.

Although these collective findings demonstrate that genetic predisposition to increased weight is protective against breast and prostate cancer, Amin indicated that further research is necessary to determine how this is realized, especially in breast cancer.

It is important to note that Amin and his colleagues are not suggesting that maintaining increased body weight is a cancer prevention strategy. Instead, he explained that public health messages should target the negative consequences of obesity while also considering the positive aspects.

Public health campaigns frequently describe obesity as being a causal risk factor for cancer and, therefore, portray weight loss as an effective cancer prevention strategy, said Amin. However, our findings contradict this idea.

Furthermore, there may even be certain risks in advising fat loss if, for example, fat cells are involved in the absorption of carcinogenic substances.

References:

1. Amin H, Kaewsri P, Yiorkas AM, Cook H, Drenos F, Blakemore A. Increased adiposity is protective for breast and prostate cancer: A Mendelian randomisation study using up to 132,413 breast cancer cases and 85,907 prostate cancer cases. Presented at: American Society of Human Genetics 2020 Virtual Meeting; October 27-30, 2020; Virtual. Abstract 2359.

2. Genetic Predisposition to Increased Weight is Protective for Breast and Prostate Cancer. News release. ASHG News. Published October 26, 2020. Accessed December 4, 2020. https://www.ashg.org/publications-news/press-releases/genetic-predisposition-increased-weight-protective-breast-prostate-cancer/

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Increased Adiposity May Be Protective for Breast and Prostate Cancer in Certain Patients - Cancer Network

Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder. About a quarter of people with gallstones need treatment, which is usually surgery.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), gallstones may range from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball.

Many gallstones do not cause symptoms. However, some can cause complications, such as an infection or a blocked bile or pancreatic duct.

If this happens, the blockage can cause severe and often sharp pain. In these cases, a doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove the stone.

This article discusses types of gallstone surgery, recovery, and aftercare.

According to the NIDDK, not all gallstones require treatment. Many do not cause problems, and these are known as silent gallstones. In fact, an estimated 5070% of gallstones are asymptomatic.

Gallstones are very common, affecting 1015% of people in the United States, according to the NIDDK. Every year, about a quarter of the people with a diagnosis of gallstones will need treatment, which is usually surgery.

However, there is a consensus among doctors from multiple specialties that people with asymptomatic gallstones should not undergo surgery due to the risk involved and the lack of any clear benefit.

That said, the type of gallstones a person has can make a doctor more likely to recommend surgery. There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment.

A doctor may be able to treat cholesterol stones without surgical intervention, but they would likely suggest surgery for pigment stones.

Pigment stones are stones that are brown or black. An excess amount of bilirubin in a persons blood can cause pigment stones to form.

According to the NIDDK, some common nonsurgical procedures include:

However, attempts to dissolve or break up the gallstones often do not work effectively. If they do not work, a doctor will likely recommend surgery.

If a persons doctor recommends gallstone surgery, they will offer specific instructions about what to expect and how to prepare.

According to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), a person will need a full physical examination before undergoing surgery to determine if they are healthy enough for the procedure.

After the examination, the surgeon can discuss the procedure, including what to expect, and answer any questions.

Though instructions will vary, the SAGES indicate that the following are common preparation instructions to receive before surgery:

The gallbladder is not an essential organ to human life. A surgeon can safely remove the gallbladder with a surgical procedure called cholecystectomy.

There are two types of surgery for gallstones: laparoscopic/robotic and open surgery.

According to the NIDDK, surgeons are more likely to perform a laparoscopic procedure than an open procedure.

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgeon will use general anesthetics to put the person to sleep. Then, they will make three or four incisions and place devices, called ports, into the incisions to allow better access to the gallbladder.

The surgeon will use a small camera to help them remove the gallbladder, before sealing the openings with stitches or staples.

In some cases, they may use robotics to help with the surgery. These procedures are very similar to other laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The only difference is that the surgeon will manipulate the robot to perform the procedure.

During the procedure, they may need to remove gallstones that are blocking one or more bile ducts. They may need to use X-ray to help them see any additional stones.

A surgeon may perform open cholecystectomy if the laparoscopic procedure does not go well. They may also choose to perform the procedure if the gallbladder is:

According to the SAGES, some other reasons a surgeon may switch to an open procedure include:

A persons recovery time depends on the type of surgery they had and any complications that arose.

After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a person can often go home the same day or the next day. They can expect to return to normal activities within 1 week.

After open cholecystectomy, a person may need to stay in the hospital for up to a week. During this time, doctors will provide follow-up care. A person can often return to normal activities within 1 month.

According to the NIDDK, complications from gallbladder surgery include a persons bile ducts developing an infection. This may require additional surgeries.

For optimal healing, the person will need to keep the incisions clean and dry, change the bandages regularly, and follow all advice from their doctor. Taking over-the-counter pain medications can help people manage any pain.

A doctor may also recommend some short-term dietary changes, such as eating small, light meals for several days following surgery and following a low fat diet for a few weeks.

The SAGES recommend that a person be as active following the procedure as they can be. They suggest walking or doing other light exercises to help keep the body moving.

The surgeon will likely schedule a follow-up appointment for about 23 weeks after the procedure, according to the SAGES.

People may way to contact their doctor as soon as possible if they experience any of the following symptoms:

According to a 2011 review of studies, there are limited quality data on long-term outcomes for people who undergo gallbladder surgery.

People may need to make some long-term dietary changes after gallbladder removal.

However, according to research in The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there is no set standard for dietary changes after cholecystectomy.

Instead, each person should have a unique dietary plan depending on how their body reacts to the loss of the gallbladder.

Research suggests that people with diarrhea after gallbladder removal should increase their fiber intake slowly over several weeks.

Meanwhile, a person with acid reflux after surgery should eat small meals and avoid foods that may make it worse, including caffeine and alcohol, tomato-based foods, spicy foods, and mint.

Gallstone surgery is a common treatment for obstructive or frequent gallstones that cause symptoms. Laparoscopic surgery is more common than open surgery.

People can talk with their doctor about the option that is right for them. They can typically expect their quality of life to improve following the procedure.

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Gallstones surgery: Types, what to expect, recovery, and aftercare - Medical News Today

Mens Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Questions? Reach us at [emailprotected].

Before a lot of us have realized it, we are right at the end of the year. It feels like it was just yesterday when Parasite won Best Picture at the Oscars and we were able to safely go outside to see other human beings. But this wild year is finally coming to a merciful end soon enough.

With the New Year right around the corner, plenty of people are looking at resolutions. Trying to find ways to make their lives better by changing things up in their lives. Its a noble intent. And for most, those resolutions come in the shape of better physical fitness.

Everyone looking to lose weight may genuinely feel like they will actually go through with it. But a lot of people wont actually stay on the path. So people need help at keeping up these resolutions. And a great way at doing so is picking up some Under Armour Workout Gear.

Why is the answer Under Armour Workout Gear? Its because the items from UA are too good to not use. You will see how great and comfortable they are that youll feel the drive to go out and use them. You wont want to let that money go to waste.

Not only that, but so many items in the store are perfect to wear this winter. Items that are made to keep the cold at bay. And with the cold hitting some real lows now that the winter is here, youll have a much easier time getting out of the house to work out in the chill.

To help you guys make some great picks without having to spend a lot of time browsing, we have wrangled together 9 great items from the UA store and displayed them below. You can pick up one of these items or all of them for a brand new winter workout wardrobe.

So get yourself prepped for the New Years Resolutions with some Under Armour Workout Gear that you can find below.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

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The Under Armour Workout Gear That Will Motivate You To Get In Shape For Real This Year - Men's Journal

When it comes to celebrity pregnancy news, there's no shortage of entertaining (and sometimes informative) stories for us to read, but sometimes those stories have a huge impact on the women reading them. BabyGagarecently had the opportunity to speak toDr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, board-certified OB-GYN and TENA spokesperson, to clear up the misconceptions surrounding pregnancy that come with entertainment news.

RELATED:How To Show Support For A Friend When They're Going Through IVF

BabyGaga (BG):According to The U.S. Sun, Joy-Anna Duggar was recently criticized for leaving her newborn alone on a couch. Why should parents refrain from doing this?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:If you are going to put yourself out there this is the kind of careless actions people will witness and catch you on. For the record, my newborn daughter flipped herself off the bed and onto the hardwood floor I nearly lost my mind, but she is now a successful college sophomore.

So, here is the thing, motherhood is super hard. You run from one thing to the next, putting out fires and attending to the impending disaster while existing on minimal sleep and no self-care. This poor, young mom may even be suffering from incontinence at the same time like 1 in 3 women do in the first 3 months! Having said this, being present for each moment is work but it's critical. Do one thing at a time and never take your hands off a baby like this. She should only be left unattended in a secure spot like a crib, chair, or another humans arms.

BG:According to Cafe Mom, Jinger Duggar tried a special salad to induce her labor. Which foods can safely help pregnant women go into labor?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:None are proven but many are consumed, including: arugula, dates, the special dressing from a Los Angeles restaurant and is shipped all over the world! Red Raspberry leaf tea, blue cohosh castor oil, and many herbs have been used over the years. I am not endorsing any of them. We dont fully understand how or why labor is initiated. Its a complex neuroendocrine relationship between mom, fetus, and placenta.

BG:Are there any foods pregnant women should avoid when they are trying to go into labor?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:Anything that may cause you digestive discomfort acid reflux, bloating, cramps, and constipation.

BG:Do you think inducing labor by eating certain foods is a good idea, or should women just let it happen naturally?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:I think anything that safely makes you feel empowered in a frustrating and challenging time is a-okay with me. But it is not evidence-based so there is no proof that it will work. To avoid incontinence, be aware that it may be increased with bladder pressure or irritation. I would recommend TENA products for any incontinence problems. Acidic food and drink should be avoided. Traditional herbalism teaches that celery, dandelion, parsley, and cilantro in large quantities and especially as juice are diuretics. So, for those attempting to reduce swelling or lose weight post-partum, know that this may increase problems like post-partum incontinence.

BG:Singer Brian McFadden is expecting a baby with his fiance after having suffered through two pregnancy losses, according to Digital Spy. Being pregnant after having miscarriages is very difficult. Do you have tips for anyone else who might be in that situation?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:Emotional support and physical support are key after a miscarriage. The taboo around discussing this has in the past caused isolation and increased anxiety, depression, and shame. But, increasingly open conversations, time of grief, and processing really do help. For women with medical issues that increase risk, older women, and those who have had more than 2-3 miscarriages, medical support and evaluation are critical to prevention and treatment. The unspoken post-miscarriage medical state is super painful. For some, milk comes in hormonal fluctuations and a mini post-partum experience in the absence of a baby is torture.

BG:They also tried IVF. What advice can you offer others in that situation?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:IVF is a drain emotionally, physically, and financially. Not everyone has access to these procedures, but they also take a toll on our bodies and minds the stress is one thing but hormone use increases weight, mood swings, and all sorts of symptoms. Being gentle, supportive, and present are always the best strategies to support another woman on that journey. But, watch out for the toxic positivity you may intend to be helpful, but it may feel like shaming or pressure to someone struggling on this journey.

BG:How long do women usually wait to tell others about their pregnancies?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:I get asked this constantly this is entirely up to the expectant person and her partner. I tell patients to consider with whom they are sharing and who they might tell. But, also to share with those who will support them through any outcome.

BG:According to Market Watch, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were criticized for documenting their miscarriage by taking photos and posting them online. How do you think this impacted her fans?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:I applaud them for openly sharing and normalizing an experience that is more common than discussed. In the first trimester, we estimate 1 in 4 pregnancies will be lost. In the second 2-3%. It is tragic and people deserve our support.

BG:Teigen has spoken publicly about her loss. Do you think this has inspired other women to be open about their pregnancy losses as well?

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz:Openness requires bravery and vulnerability this sharing is a gift to educate others. When we openly discuss miscarriage, sexual pain, incontinence, and hair loss we can learn to take better care of ourselves, demand better care from our providers, and collaborate on innovative solutions and best practices.

Celebrities have a big impact on their fans. Thank you for speaking with us about this, Dr. Gilberg-Lenz!

NEXT:Interview With The Creators Of Clue Pregnancy, The App Every Expecting Mom Needs

Sources: Dr. Suzanne,The U.S. Sun, Cafe Mom, TENA,Digital Spy, Market Watch

Pregnant Bindi Irwin Gives An Update On Her Baby's Development: She's 'Karate Chopping'

Kirstie has been writing for various websites for a few years. In the future, she hopes to publish books. Kirstie writes for Babygaga because she is very educated on health and pregnancy.

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Interview With Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz On The Impact Of Celebrity Pregnancy News - BabyGaga

Not every fast-food menu item is a bad one. In fact, some chicken sandwiches, burgers, chicken nuggets, and more are decent sources of protein that aren't packed full of other added ingredients. But, like other indulgences, science proves that moderation is key.

Eating at McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, or other fast-food chainseven just for one meal every daycan have serious health consequences. While the nutritional information can be found for most items right on the menu, chains have enticing ways of getting you to buy more by way of a (likely fried) side, adding on extra sandwich toppings, or even upgrading your meal for cheap. Falling for these gimmicks only adds to the calories, fat, sodium, carbs, cholesterol, and sugar you're eating.

Here are some specific side effects of eating fast food every single day that you may experience, even if you're simply ordering a soda at McDonald's or a Whopper from Burger King for lunch. Before we start, read up on the 25 Best Fast-Food Hacks for Weight Loss.

The American Heart Association says you may not even realize how much salt is in the foods you eat. And fast food contains a ton of it (among other things). The AHA recommends consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Burger King's Triple Whopper with Cheese has 1,470 milligrams, so having that for lunch or dinner leaves you less than 1,000 milligrams to work with for the rest of the day. And that's only the burger!

If you regularly go over your daily recommended amount of sodium, your risk of high blood pressure goes up, as does your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Studies have found that people who eat four or more servings of French fries a week have a 17% higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Related:28 Unhealthiest Fast Foods of 2020

The sodium in fast food isn't the only thing that increases your risk of a heart attack. Burgers, chicken, pizza, and other foods from restaurant chains contain a lot of saturated fat (not to be confused with monounsaturated fats, or healthy fats, which are found in foods like avocados, peanut butter, nut, and olive oil).

Saturated fat increases the LDL cholesterol numbers and lines the walls of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack, according to Harvard Health.

"The explosion of fast-food restaurants has significantly increased the intake of fried foods, and people are now eating 1,000 times the amount of soybean oil compared with the early 1900s," according to a review published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine in 2018. "Humans never ate 400 calories of oil a day the way people do in America, especially in the Southern stateswhich are known for the highest stroke and heart attack rates in the world."

The total amount of fat you should have in a day is between 44 and 78 grams, the Mayo Clinic says. Eating one (just one!) Monster Angus Thickburger from Carl's Jr. tips your fat amount over for the day (and then some) with 89 grams of fat.

For more on the burgers you shouldn't order, here are theWorst Fast Food Burgers of 2020.

A review of studies that focus on fast-food found that a diet "Fast food consumption and out-of-home eating behavior is a main risk factor for lower diet quality, higher calorie and fat intake, and lower micronutrients density of food."

While taking supplements can help, the best way to get nutrients out of what you eat is to consume whole, plant-based foods. Here's how to cook your food to get the most out of it.

The high sodium, fat, calorie, sugar, and carb amounts in fast food can also lead to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Of course, other factors, like your age, family history, activity level, and blood pressure also play a role, but a diet high in trans and saturated fats increase the amount of triglycerides in your blood, which can up your risk of developing this type of diabetes. That's not all: The high levels of sugar in some fast-foods can also be harmful.

For instance, Dunkin's new Sugarplum Frozen Coffee with Cream sounds pretty delicious, but the 167(!) grams of sugar in a large goes well beyond the American Heart Association's limit of 36 grams per day. A tip from the American Diabetes Association about how to control the sugar, fat, and other unhealthy ingredients says to order the smallest option or to split it with someone.

Other fast-food menu items have hidden sugar, too. Here are the14 Unhealthiest Restaurant Menu Items of 2020.

An ingredient often used in fast-food meat has been associated with breast, prostate, and colon cancers for over 10 years. A 2008 study revealed the link between the chemical PhIP and cancer, and a lawsuit was subsequently filed in 2009 involving Burger King. After that, the burger chain agreed to post warnings about PhIP in its California restaurants.

The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research both recommend limiting the amount of fast and processed foods to help maintain a healthy weight. "Greater body fatness is a cause of many cancers," both institutions say. For more on this, here are7 Amazing Things That Happen When You Give Up Fast Food.

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Dangerous Side Effects of Eating Fast Food Every Day, According to Science - Eat This, Not That

If we all do our bit, said Boris Johnson, launching a Government strategy to tackle obesity during the summer of 2020, we can reduce our health risks and protect ourselves against coronavirusas well as taking pressure off the NHS. Following his own coronavirus scare, the prime minister appeared eager to get the nation to lose weight. An online videoshowed him walking his dog around the grounds of Chequers and referring to his personal battles with obesity and coronavirus.

But anew report by a cross-party think-tank suggests that Government messages on weight loss and coronavirus have done little to help people with obesity address their condition. So what was wrong with Boris Johnsons coronavirus weight loss plan?

The evidence is now in: obesity can double your chance of dying from coronavirus, saidNHS Englands chief executive in the run up to Johnsons strategy launch. Obesity may be one of the few modifiable risk factors for covid-19, announced Public Health England. But it had already been shown that obesity was not the only factor to double your risk of death from coronavirus. Nor is it the only modifiable risk factor for covid-19. Living in a deprived area doubles your chance of dying from coronavirus. Social deprivation is another modifiable risk factor for coronavirus mortality. And yet it has attracted little attention from the prime minister and no government initiatives were set up to address it.

Modifying, or eradicating, deprivation demands that the government make progressive changes in policies. Meanwhile, efforts to tackle obesity tend to push the responsibility onto individuals, encouraging them to make different life choices and change their behaviour. This was apparent when thegovernments obesity policy described a call to action for everyone who is overweight to take steps to move towards a healthier weight. The Health Secretary wrote of the policy that at its heart is better information:providing the public with information to help them make healthier choices. The focus on individuals and their personal choices was also apparent when, in anarticle accompanying his dog-walking video, the prime minister summoned a spirit of personal responsibility to tackle the problem of obesity, highlighting how your health depends on your own choices about how you lead your life.

But the emphasis on personal choice did not acknowledge the complex social causation of obesity. In particular, it did not acknowledge the higher incidence of obesity amongmore deprived groups. It ignored the unequal environments in which personal choices are made. Deprived areas have afive times greater density of fast food outletsand fewer shops selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Taking Dilyn the dog for a walk around the lawns of the Chequers estate is unarguably a more appealing option than taking exercise in many urban housing estates. Promoting personal choice also ignored the unequal resources that people have, including the fact that many children grow up in homes that struggle toafford a healthy diet,andfood poverty is a real issue. Having to depend on food banks does not facilitate personal choice. And making choices in order to lose weight relies upon a sense of personal agency and control that many people experiencing deprivation have had eroded over time, as life opportunities have been withheld from them, as state benefits have been cut despite their protestations, and as their efforts to secure employment or housing have resulted only in disappointment. Many of these issues have already been exacerbated by coronavirus, because it is people onlow incomes who have tended to lose their jobs or be furloughed, and the economic fallout will continue to hit hardest those who are already worst off. People who are more deprived may be more likely to be obese, but they are less able to respond to the governments call to action.

Of course, addressing obesity and addressing deprivation do not need to be conflicting priorities. After all, since rates of obesity are higher among more deprived groups, it might make sense to address these issues together. But when obesity is addressed in isolation it shifts attention, effort, and resources away from the issue of deprivation, and from the unfair impact of deprivation on peoples health.

The governments coronavirus-inspired weight loss plan was a failure. It marked a failure to acknowledge deprivation as a risk factor for coronavirus mortality. And it failed even to acknowledge the role of deprivation as a risk factor for obesity. Many observers anticipated this failure, with the PMs strategy branded a missed opportunity at the time, showing little sign of policies that will address the root causes of obesity. Without addressing those root causes, as a nation we will not only fail to lose weight, but we will continue to fail the more vulnerable members of our society.

A whole systems approach to obesity has been advocated; looking at the wide range of factors that may contribute to higher rates of obesity. With that in mind, and with recognition of the role of deprivation in relation to obesity, coronavirus, and many other health problems, we should take note of Michael Marmots recent invocation to Build Back Fairer. In the wake of coronavirus, priorities should include reducing social and economic inequalities, and ensuring that fair health outcomes are at the heart of government policy. The healthcare professions still have a powerful role in holding the government to account.

Andrew Moscrop, primary care physician, Oxford.

Competing interests: None declared.

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Andrew Moscrop: Deprivation and the failure of Boris Johnson's covid-19 weight loss plan - The BMJ - The BMJ