NWA's new flight attendant dresses, designed by Richard Tyler. Photo via Washington Post.

There has been controversy over weight issues with airline passengers in recent years. But now the issues are coming from within as employees of Northwest Airlines (now owned by Delta) are getting a bit perturbed by the uniform design approved by their employers.

Delta Airlines hired fashion designer Richard Tyler to design their flight attendants’ red dress uniforms. Tyler wanted them to “look sexy.” The problem is, some workers are complaining that they are too small.

The Northwest chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has filed a grievance against Delta. They would like to see the company offer the red dress up to size 28. Currently, the uniform is only offered up to a size 18.

“I think red is an eye-popping color and it’s not subtle, and to me by not offering it in a size over 18, Delta is saying, ‘We don’t want you wearing that if you are over size 18,’” says Reller, who handles grievances for the union’s executive committee. “But the job isn’t about being sexy. It’s about safety.”

Delta spokeswoman Gina Laughlin responded:

“The majority of pre-merger Northwest flight attendants have given us very positive feedback about the Richard Tyler Collection,” she says. “The sizing of our red dress has not been an issue with Delta flight attendants since the program’s inception three years ago. This is AFA hype leading up to the election.”

When Delta announced plans for new uniforms, they said the decision would boost morale among employees and increase the airline’s bottom line.

What do you think?

(via: Yahoo)

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NWA Flight Attendants Demand Size 28 Red Dress

The inches around your waist should be no more than half your total height.

Men and women battle different fat demons. Men usually have it accumulate around the waist, while women have problems in the thighs and rear end.

One thing I get a little jealous about is when guys are just naturally thin in the waist. But even the best of them lose that advantage with age. I’ve always been pretty naturally thin, but when I let myself go even a little, the only thing that is natural is the mid-section bulge that comes with slacking on my nutrition and exercise.

It doesn’t take a ton of weight gain around the waist to start inching toward serious health risks. So what’s the best way to tell? A great way is to check your waist size.

Most men start to develop risk factors for heart disease and other diseases with a waist size above 40 inches. Other health problems that can develop include:

- Stroke
- Some types of cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- High triglycerides
- Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome
- Sleep apnea

Time is not your friend. As you age, you have to work even harder to keep the weight off. And while there may be some minor help in form of supplementation, there’s no escaping the simplicity of what needs to be done to achieve a healthy waistline: reduce calories and increase your physical activity level.

Michael Jensen, M.D., an endocrinology specialist, gives some more detail over at the Mayo Clinic’s website, answering questions and giving some common sense advice centering around the battle of the mid-section bulge.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Men: Your Waist Size is a Big Indicator of Health

Dr. Oz and Oprah introduce the Ultimate Health Checklist (Oprah.com)

As Oprah’s Best Life week continues, she welcomed Dr. Oz, a.k.a. America’s doctor, to the show once again. In the second day of her campaign to get healthy alongside the rest of us, she asked Dr. Oz to share the most important things about our health that we need to be aware of and proactive in doing. He calls it the Ultimate Health Checklist, and says that as long as we’re able to keep to the list, which really isn’t that overwhelming, we can live long, happy lives.

Here are the 10 things on Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Health Checklist that all men and women should make a point of following.

1. Schedule a Check-Up. Dr. Oz told Oprah’s audience that people who have a family doctor are healthier, and pointed out that while many do not have health insurance, you can find free and government-funded access to quality health care providers.

2. Know the Five Ingredients to Avoid. Check food labels for this simple list of ingredients, and pass on foods that include them in the first five ingredients listed (meaning they are highest in concentration).

• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Sugar
• “Enriched“
• Trans-fat (may be indicated by the word “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated”)
• Saturated Fat

3. Add Healthy Foods to your Diet. Make an effort to meet these nutritional goals each day and week.

• 3 grams Omega-3 daily. Sources for this healthy fat are fish, soybeans, nuts, flaxseed and others.
• 5-7 servings of Antioxidants daily. Sources for this cancer-fighting agent are blueberries, red beans, pomegranates and pecans.
• 25 grams Fiber daily. You’ll want to chose whole-grain options, like brown rice and whole grain cereals and pastas.
• 1 Tbs. Olive Oil daily. Extra-virgin or regular olive oil both work. Dr. Oz suggests this is why the Mediterranean Diet is praised for working so well.

4. Take a Multi-Vitamin. This should be part of your daily routine. Here are Dr. Oz’s vitamin tips.

Oprah checks Dr. Oz's resting heart rate. (Oprah.com)

5. Know Your Numbers. At your check-up, learn these numbers, and make it a goal to optimize them.

• Waist size – measure at belly button, total inches should be less than half your height.
• Blood pressure – optimal is 115/75
• Cholesterol – LDL (bad) should be <100; HDL (good) should be >40
• Resting heart rate – <83 beats per minute (athletes average about 40)
• Blood sugar
• Vitamin D – find out if you have a deficiency. Darker skinned people are more susceptible.
• C-reactive protein
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

6. Find a Health Advocate. Always bring a relative or a friend with you to the doctor to better understand your treatment.

7. Get Organized with Your Health Information. Keep updated copies of insurance, medical records, allergies, etc. so that you can play a more active role in your care and treatment.

8. Know the Medical Tests You Should Have. These will vary for men, women and by age, but talk with your doctor to learn if you need:

• Mammogram
• Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam
• Dental check-up (2x/year)
• Vision check-up (1x/2 years)
• Bone Density
• Hearing
  

  Dr. Oz gives four attainable exercise tips. (Oprah.com)

9. Exercise. Dr. Oz wants us to keep our bodies actively moving, and recommends the following:

• Start walking. Aim for 10,000 steps per day, start with 30 minutes/day (about 3k steps)
• Elevate your heart rate for 60 minutes every week
• Flexibility 5 minutes/day
• Strength training 30 minutes/week

10. Sleep! Your body requires the rest that comes from a good night’s sleep. Practice these tips to catch your Zs:

• Get 7-8 hours sleep each night
• Keep the room dark and cool
• Create a routine
• Make the bedroom for sleep and sex only
• No caffeine four hours prior to bed
• Do not keep a TV in your bedroom
• Take a calcium and magnesium supplement

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Health Checklist from Oprah’s Best Life Week