Brunei to launch survey on eating habits nationwide

Brunei is expected to launch a survey on eating habits nationwide soon in a bid to formulate the country's strategic plans on health and food consumption.

This will be the second time that the sultanate to launch its National Health and Nutritional Status Survey, according to the Borneo Bulletin on Tuesday.

The survey aims to identify the public's eating habits, food intake and health status, and gather information which will be used to formulate the country's strategic plans on health and food intake.

The survey will be conducted until the year 2011.In some researches conducted in the mid 1990s, obesity remained one of the concerns in the country. About 8.7 percent to 17.8 percent of schoolchildren were found to be obese, while 11.2 percent of men and 12.8 percent of women were obese.

The researches also showed that 36 percent of men, aged between20 and 39, were smokers, and 11 percent had high-blood pressure. 　

BB

Drinking milk could help prevent Alzheimer's

Drinking two glasses of milk a day could help protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Oxford University scientists believe that vitamin B12, which occurs in milk, can reduce the brain damage that leads to dementia.

They found that elderly patients with low levels of B12 suffered from twice the amount of brain shrinkage as those with higher levels.

Prof David Smith, whose team's findings are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, said: "There are 550 people who come down with dementia every day in the UK - it is a major epidemic.

"It is unlikely we are ever going to find ways of repairing that damage. We have to look at preventing it in the first place."

Most Luxurious Spas In The World

It wasn't so long ago that luxury hotels were racing to add spas, realizing they weren't competitive without one. Today, luxury spas are racing one another. The pressure is on--and we're not talking about your massage.

As spa-goers become more sophisticated and better-traveled, they expect more from a spa experience than ever before, and they're willing to pay for it. The industry generates about $40 billion globally, according to SpaFinder, a New York City-based spa marketing and media company. So spas worldwide are adding private suites, Japanese baths, rain showers and an ever-more-exotic array of treatments, therapies and fitness programs, influenced by everything from the traditions of far-flung cultures to cutting-edge medical technology, in order to stand out, cash in and attract new customers.

Terme di Saturnia Spa Resort
Saturnia, Italy

This 140-room resort in the hilly Tuscan countryside is about 100 miles from the nearest airport (in Rome), and pays homage to the country's spa-going tradition with a Roman bath lined in Travertine stone and lit from above with a dramatic circular skylight. The spa is devoted to restoring each guest's "psycho-physical balance," and renowned medical packages, which include an age evaluation, anti-aging and rebalancing massage, stone therapy, aqua relaxation and the Saturnia fitness program start at $2,347; regular room rates, including breakfast, start at $235 per night.

Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
Mumbai, India

The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower is arguably India's finest luxury hotel, with its manicured interior courtyard, pool, and a wide array of guest suites that accommodate royalty and celebrities alike (Yoko Ono and John Lennon once occupied one, without leaving, for a week). The Taj's branded Jiva Spa chain has classes in everything from Ashanti yoga to the Art of Breathing, and the Exotic Lime & Ginger Scrub involves body buffing with Indian lime, ginger and salt. Room rates start at $205 per night.

Soneva Gili & Six Senses Spa
The Maldives

Soneva Gili resort consists of 44 stilted water-villa suites. The spa is set over water as well, and accessible via a long, low wooden walkway. Treatment rooms are simple, open-air affairs which look onto the lagoon. The Soul of Six Senses, a simultaneous massage and facial performed by two therapists, begins with a foot bath and ends with a scalp massage, and costs $360 for 90 minutes. Soneva Gili rack rates start at $1,415 per night.

Maroma Resort and Spa
Riviera Maya, Mexico

Located on a 25-acre jungle reserve, Maroma Resort and Spa faces the Caribbean Sea and a powder-white beach. The on-site Kinan Spa is decorated in white and cream stucco and has three treatment suites, each one with its own shower, bathroom and treatment tub. A special spa cuisine menu, with specialties like spiced beetroot soup over jicama and yogurt slaw, makes healthy eating more fun. Room rates start at $480 per night.

The Island Experience
Ilha Grande, Brazil

Take a 100-square-mile private island; subtract roads, banks and people; and add a rain forest plus a week-long, intensive detox program. The result is the Island Experience at Ilha Grande, an adventure spa that will introduce an "Alpha Adventures" challenge next winter to get men to detox in the most exciting way possible. Activities include jungle hiking, snorkeling, samba dancing and massage. Rates start at $2,000 for six nights and include meals, yoga classes and various supervised and recreational activities.

Hayman Island Resort
Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Hayman Island Resort is located on a private island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, accessible via boat, seaplane or helicopter from nearby Hamilton Island. Spa Chakra has 13 treatment rooms, a wet treatment room and two relaxation lounges, and offers exclusive Guerlain Methode treatments, which involve techniques for facial and massage patented by the Champs Elysée Guerlain Institute. Room rates start at $468.

Four Seasons Resort
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Styled like a Thai temple, the three-story spa villa at the Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, has private aromatherapy steam rooms, open-air treatment terraces and rain shower massage beds. Elemis products are incorporated into every treatment, each of which begins with a warm foot compress to focus the senses. Resort rates start at $425.

Como Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Como Shambhala is known for its guided retreat weeks, which feature the resort's trademark spa cuisine and expert teachers brought in from around the U.S. Five hours of daily instruction are included in the yoga retreats, and meditation, Pilates and pranayama instruction are available year-round as well. The spa is aimed at couples, who can take advantage of double treatment rooms, outdoor showers and Japanese baths. Nightly rates start at $410.

Chiva Som
Hua Hin, Thailand

Chiva Som, a luxury health resort facing the Gulf of Thailand, is tucked into seven acres of gardens and provides individual wellness programs for guests. Even basic guest rooms have private balconies and butler service, and the spa has male and female water-therapy suites. Hydrotherapy treatments include aqua skin polish, which uses spearmint and apricot to exfoliate the skin. Room rates start at $340 per person per night.

Beau Rivage Palace
Lausanne, Switzerland

The Beau Rivage Palace has views of the lake and the Alps, but the real draw is the Cinq Mondes spa. It's 15,000 square feet and has a private suite with its own hammam (Turkish bath) and Bain Japonais (double Japanese bath for two). Treatments include Balinese massage and Taoist face-care massage; the spa is also introducing a series of packages to entice summer travelers. Through Sept. 30, guests can pay $1,660 for two nights' accommodation, breakfast and five spa treatments each.

The Top 10 Diet Blunders

Ever wondered why none of those diets you've tried seem to work? You could be falling into the most common slimming traps…

1. Having an 'all or nothing' mentality

So you had a packet of crisps and now you want to give up altogether? This defeatist attitude will get you nowhere - the key to success is persistence, not perfection.

2. Not reading and understanding labels

Just because it says 95% fat-free doesn't mean that it is healthy. It could mean it's 95% sugar!

3. Expecting to lose more than one or two pounds a week

Any more than this is simply the result of lost body fluids and valuable muscle tissue.

4. Fasting or drastically cutting calories to lose weight

This just sends your body the message that you are starving, and your metabolism will slow down to preserve the fat you are trying to shed.

5. Setting unrealistic goals

Instead of giving a wildly unattainable aim, like 'I will lose 3 stone by next month', set small, achievable goals like, 'I will lose 1 to 2 pounds this week'. You're more likely to get the result you want, which will boost your motivation.

6. Thinking of any food as 'bad' or 'forbidden'

Food is food - anything in excess is bad for you, anything in moderation is OK. And if you tell yourself something isn't allowed, guess what you'll soon be craving.

7. Thinking of weight loss as something you have to do

...rather than something you want to do. Feeling like you have to look like Jennifer Aniston is not only unrealistic but it also puts undue pressure on you. Wanting to do something means you're more likely to stick to it.

8. Binge eating before starting a new diet

It'll only make your long-term goal harder to achieve because you'll have more weight to lose - and it's completely unnecessary!

9. Not drinking enough water

It's hard for your body to tell the difference between thirst and hunger, so always have a drink first to see if that cuts your snack craving.

10. Not exercising for at least 30 minutes, three times a week

Exercise is crucial for boosting your metabolism to more effectively burn calories.

Laura Bond

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