Dieting after holidays 'counterproductive'

Cutting out certain foods after the festive period is not likely to be productive, it has been claimed.

Jenny Caven, a spokeswoman for Slimming World, said that restricting oneself in terms of diet can become problematic.

"Traditionally we believe that we need to punish or restrict ourselves by cutting out food types or go on a strict detox to lose a few pounds after Christmas," she noted.

"But the latest evidence shows ...

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Cancer risk for large waistlines

Almost half of women in England are at an increased risk of cancer because they have a high waist circumference, a charity has warned.

The World Cancer Research Fund said that 44 per cent of women in the country have large waistlines compared to 32 per cent of men.

It is known that ...

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Low vitamin D levels in babies linked to breathing problems

Babies who have low vitamin D levels at the time of birth have an increased risk of suffering respiratory problems in later life.

A new report from the Massachusetts General Hospital has suggested there is a link between levels of vitamin D in newborns and wheezing in childhood.

However, the study has ruled out an association between ...

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Mental health 'taken seriously by young people'

While stigma still surrounds mental health issues, expatriate insurance customers might be surprised to hear that young people tend to take them seriously, according to The Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Carolyn Roberts, head of policy and campaigns at the mental health charity, explained: "The more that parents and schools can do to help children and young people learn about mental health, the better.

"However, I think most ...

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Public awareness of dementia 'is growing'

Awareness of Alzheimer's disease among expatriate healthcare customers and other members of the public is improving constantly, but the fact remains that most people will not understand the condition until they have some personal experience with it.

This is the opinion of Timothy Parry, spokesman for the Alzheimer's Research Trust, who pointed out: "With greater public awareness of Alzheimer's, our ability to manage the disease will improve and support for much needed research into curing it could also soar."

He explained ...

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Wait to change currency to find best value

Expat insurance policyholders who are planning to go abroad soon should hold off on exchanging currency until just before their departure, ABTA - The Travel Association has suggested.

Sean Tipton, spokesman for the organisation, commented: "With the euro and the dollar predicted to weaken next year, it may be advisable to leave changing money until shortly before you travel.

"However, exchange rates are ...

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Stressful relationships 'can increase angina risk'

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders who are leading a stressful lifestyle could be at risk of developing angina, according to new research.

A six-year study of middle-aged Danish subjects revealed that taking on family demands and worries could increase the risk of angina, which can in turn lead to coronary artery disease.

The researchers wanted to know if ...

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Advice for plastic surgery patients

Expatriate medical insurance customers who are thinking of electing for cosmetic surgery must ensure it is something they want.

This is the view of beauty journalist Zara Rabinowicz, who said: "I would advise anyone planning surgery to always have multiple consultations to make sure they understand and are happy with the proposed outcome - it's an art, not a science, and you can never guarantee results will be as ...


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Flu vaccination 'should be considered by at-risk groups'

International healthcare customers should be aware that no vaccination can ever provide "perfect protection" against the influenza virus, but some at-risk groups should think about getting one anyway.

This is the view of Dr Catherine Hood, scientific adviser to Mentholatum responsebeta anti-viral hand sanitizer, who noted that some people should seek medical advice about taking precautions against flu.

"All people over ...

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Spain 'has huge opportunities' in property market

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders who are considering relocating abroad should know that the country's housing market shows signs of becoming more active next year.

Marc Da-Silva, a freelance property journalist, noted: "There is a huge opportunity; in places like Spain you can pick up properties for next to nothing."

He pointed out that countries such as Portuagal are still struggling financially and this looks likely to continue in the coming years.

"There is going to be no real property price boom in any of those countries, which is going to create opportunities ...

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Breastfeeding 'improves health of babies'

Expatriate healthcare insurance customers who are expecting a new arrival to their family should be advised that breastfeeding could improve the health of their little ones.

According to the Association of Radical Midwives, breastfeeding could protect babies from gut infections and may even boost intelligence.

Sarah Montagu, admin secretary for the organisation, commented: "I think the benefits are reasonably well propagated in the general population.

"Because there are a lot of emotional issues to do with ...


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Call for more rights for expatriate workers

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders and other foreign workers in Bangladesh are at the centre of a call for more rights for international workers.

According to the Daily Star, the country's minister for expatriate welfare, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, commented at Saturday's International Migrants' Day: "It is high time that Bangladeshi migrants who send home nearly $11 billion yearly are given due importance."

The special day was marked by government groups and non-governmental organisations holding ...


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People 'can wean themselves off salty food'

Herbs and spices could be used to flavour food so that expat health insurance policyholders reduce their salt intake.

This was the suggestion of registered nutritionist Carina Norris, who noted that individuals can "wean" themselves off a preference for excessively salty food.

"In the short term, you can add more spices, you can add herbs to your food … just little additions of flavour that don't have salt," she pointed out.

"In the long-term you can ...


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Expats in the UAE 'to have working restrictions lifted'

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to benefit from new working rules which come into effect next year.

According to GMA News, some restrictions on foreign workers with an expired job contract will be lifted in the new year.

UAE minister of Labour Sagr Gobash announced the changes, which will mean ...

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Decision to relocate abroad 'should be backed with aims'

British people who are considering relocating abroad to take up an expatriate lifestyle should ensure that their reasons for doing so are "legitimate, sustainable, realistic and achievable", according to Shelter Offshore.

Rhiannon Davies, director of the organisation which advises expat health insurance customers and others about overseas living, pointed out that "the grass isn't always greener".

However, "there is very little, other than poverty, keeping [British individuals] in the UK anymore", she claimed.

"Furthermore, as jobs are cut, unemployment increases, taxes rise, tuition fees rise for students, public spending cuts really begin to bite and the effect of underfunding is realised in the infrastructure of this country and in the likes of the NHS and the education system, I honestly believe this will push up the numbers of those wanting to escape even further."

Ms Davies comments come in light of ...


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Expats 'have better lives abroad'

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders may have a better quality of life after they have relocated abroad, according to research.

The latest HSBC International expat survey revealed that expatriates have a "greater sense of community" than they do in their home country.

Children of parents who are living in a different country to the one they were born in are also likely to enjoy 'the good life' and tend to benefit from ...


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Earlier diagnosis of dementia 'is essential'

Earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is "essential" to defeat dementia in expat health insurance customers and other people.

This is the view of Dr Marie Janson, director of development at the Alzheimer's Research Trust, who noted that it is difficult to diagnose the condition because there is no definitive test for it yet.

"The symptoms can appear slowly and can be similar to other conditions. We need better ways to ...


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Foreign property markets 'contain low-priced homes'

More people will be able to relocate abroad and invest in foreign property because of the current fragility of the overseas markets, an expert has said.

According to property journalist Marc Da-Silva, expat health insurance policyholders and other prospective homeowners in Europe should be able to cash in on markets that have "bottomed out".

"At the other end of the spectrum, there are other markets that haven't yet bottomed out, such as ...

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Food product recalled over peanut allergy fears

Expat health insurance policyholders who have peanut allergies have been warned not to eat a certain health food product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced a recall of certain Quaker Chewy Granola Bars because some of the products lack allergen advice about the presence of peanuts.

Value packs containing Dipps granola bars have been taken off shelves in ...


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Eating more fruit 'could save lives'

Expatriate medical insurance policyholders who eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are less likely to die prematurely.

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that in the UK, some 33,000 deaths each year could be prevented or delayed if individuals eat more fresh produce and cut salt and fat consumption to recommended levels.

Researchers looked at a number of studies and input the findings into ...


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Cancer 'does not develop by chance'

Expat health insurance policyholders should understand that cancer is not a product of fate.

This is the view of Dr Ian Lewis, head of research at cancer charity Tenovus, who said it is "concerning" that a proportion of individuals still see the disease as a chance event, despite various public campaigns.

"It has been estimated that around half of ...


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Link between emotional stress and debt 'must be explored'

Expatriate health insurance policyholders who are struggling emotionally could pinpoint the cause of their distress to their finances.

According to Una Farrell, spokeswoman for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, more education is needed to highlight the link between debt and mental health anguish.

"A lot of our clients are in emotional distress when they come to us, and that often goes hand in hand with debt problems. We have been doing more research to look into those links," she explained.

"There have always been people who have come to us who are ...

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New bed 'could reduce pain'

Expat insurance customers who suffer from bad backs, asthma or general aches and pains could invest in a new bed to help prevent visits to healthcare professionals later on.

According to Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council, people with limited mobility could benefit from using an adjustable bed, which helps them get in or out and can allow them to sleep with their legs raised.

Expat health insurance policyholders who have other medical problems could also ...

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