Dear Doctors: I’ve heard there’s a test that’s more accurate than BMI. Do you know what that is? My daughter is 17 years old, plays tennis, lifts weights and has a sporty build. She’s not overweight, but her BMI of 26 says she is. It upsets her, and it really doesn’t make sense.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend is incredibly stingy. We get along well in many ways, but when it comes to money, he’s not what I expected. He never offers to pay for our dates. It’s not that I mind splitting the bill sometimes, but I’ve noticed that he never makes any effort to treat me, even on special occasions.
CLINTON DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL
It’s hard to measure the intensity of negative media coverage of former President Donald Trump, but it’s safe to say it’s rising as Election Day approaches. What’s interesting to note is that in the face of unrelentingly negative coverage – at a high level now, but negative for a long time – the public views Trump more favorably than it has since he entered politics.
Dear Doctors: I threw out my lower back two years ago while I was helping my cousin move. My back would feel better for a while, but then the pain would always come back. I noticed that since I started a walking program, that cycle stopped. Do you know why that would be?
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m in my early 30s, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of having kids. My husband, however, is not on the same page – he’s made it clear that he’s not ready for children and may never be.
Chances are quite good that yet another major hurricane will come ashore in the United States sometime before the 2024 presidential election is decided, and that it will afflict mainly Republican areas of the country. And if that should happen, large parts of the country will go even crazier than they already are.
• We all know that planting a tree is a simple act to help combat climate change. But not all trees have the same impact. Choosing a “broadleaved species” tree is the most efficient way to go, because the large leaves generate more photosynthesis. Species like oaks, beeches and maples are all good examples of this. The best time to plant trees is in the fall between September and November, when trees are dormant and have the best chance for roots to stabilize and grow before winter comes.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been married for 10 years. When we first got together, he was active and in great shape. Over the years, he has gained a significant amount of weight, and his chronic obesity has now become a huge wedge in our relationship. I still love him deeply, but this drastic change in his health has impacted many aspects of our lives, and I find myself growing frustrated.
We don’t know the winner – the prudent won’t guess, many of the imprudent will be wrong – but already we know that the 2024 election will mark a significant departure in American history. Even if Donald Trump wins, it won’t signal a return to 2017, when he first took office. One way or the other, the United States will be set on a new course.