Watch, Learn and Live with the American Heart Association's interactive cardiovascular library.   Here you'll find informative illustrations and animations about a variety of conditions, treatments and procedures related to heart disease and stroke.   Use the "Select a Topic" menu above the video screen to choose a topic.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” But how about “You are where you eat?”

According to a recent study published in JAMA, living in a geographical area with a higher incidence of obesity may mean you and your kids are more likely to become obese.

Researchers studied more than 1,500 Army families across the country since they tend to be relocated by the military and not by choice, which reduced the possibility of people choosing to live somewhere based on where friends/family live.

They assessed BMI, the number of grocery stores, recreational facilities and obesity rates across the communities studied. The findings suggest families assigned to areas with higher obesity rates were more likely to also be obese, and families assigned to areas with lower obesity rates were less likely to be obese.

The researchers found no evidence to suggest shared environments (access to recreational facilities and grocery stores) were a factor.

“I do believe the environment in which we live and socialize can affect our habits, both negatively and positively,” says Dr. Kevin Koo, family medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group.

“Whether or not there is a true cause-and-effect relationship of living in a community of obese or overweight neighbors will be difficult to establish, as the study reported. However, even in a single family’s culture alone, opinions about weight and food can translate from generation to generation, thereby negating even a healthy community in which this family lives. Fighting obesity is surely a complex endeavor!”

Ever tried it in crepes, cookies, or veggie burgers?

Protein powder might be a key ingredient in your kitchen, but it probably isn’t the most versatile. Sure, it makes a regular appearance in your smoothies, and you might even have tried adding it to muffin or pancake batter. But what else can you really do with it before it goes bad and you’re forced to chuck it?

As it turns out, plenty. You can work a few scoops into tons of different recipes—from cookies, crepes, and ice cream, to savory dishes like homemade hot pockets or veggie burgers. (Just be sure to use unsweetened, unflavored powder for those last two!)

Thanks to that extra shot of protein, the resulting dish will be even more satisfying and filling than a traditional powder-free recipe. And as these recipes prove, the flavor is just as delicious. (Looking for a new protein powder that can better help you reach your goals? Consider trying one of our top picks.)

1. Make portable oatmeal cups.
You might’ve already tried stirring protein powder into a bowl of oatmeal. But what about using it to make these fudgy bites? Ashley of Fit Mitten Kitchen combines rolled oats with cocoa powder, peanut butter, honey, Greek yogurt, and chocolate protein powder to make moist, chewy, cupcake-like treats that are perfect for breakfast or a snack. (You may also want to try these 5 high-protein snacks that will keep you full until dinner.)

2.  Add protein powder to crepes.
Who says tender, delicious crepes have to be loaded with low-nutrition white flour? Kelsey from Little Bits Of makes easy, protein-packed crepes with just two ingredients: vanilla protein powder and egg whites. They’re perfect for stuffing with sweet fillings like fresh fruit or Greek yogurt with honey. Prefer savory crepes? Swap out the vanilla protein powder for a plain, unsweetened variety. Then top with veggies, cheese, and herbs for a filling meal your taste buds are sure to love.

3. Whip up some good-for-you pudding.
Amanda of Running With Spoons has a recipe for thick, creamy chocolate pudding that’s ready in 5 minutes and uses just 5 ingredients. First on the list? Cookies and cream-flavored protein powder, followed by unsweetened almond milk, cocoa powder, a frozen banana, and a handful of baby spinach. (That last one is optional—but it adds loads of nutrition, and you won’t taste it at all.)

4. Pump up your frittata.
Bet you’ve never seen a frittata quite like this one before. That’s because instead of eggs, Camilla from Power Hungry relies on high-protein, high-fiber chickpea flour (One to try: Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour, $7, amazon.com) and pea protein, along with nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, and loads of veggies for flavor. The ingredients might seem unusual, but the result is savory, custardy, and seriously tasty. 

5. Make a batch of cookies.
Specifically, these flourless peanut butter cookies from Lacey of A Sweet Pea Chef. Vanilla protein powder adds a soft, chewy texture plus an extra hint of flavor—and of course, makes the cookies extra filling. (So you’ll maybe want to only eat one.) The only other ingredients you need are peanut butter, eggs, and sugar—meaning you probably have everything on hand to throw them together right now.

6. DIY some healthy hot pockets.
Kim of Low Carb Maven makes a genius low-carb dough with protein powder, almond flour, eggs, and grated mozzarella cheese that’s crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s perfect for filling with ham and jack cheese Hot Pocket-style, or for using as a crunchy, high-protein pizza crust. (Take your ‘za to the next level with these healthy pizza toppings you haven't tried—but totally need to.)

7. Give veggie burgers a boost.
Veggie burgers don’t always have a reputation for being all that high in protein. Not so with these pumpkin and chickpea burgers from Hannah of Bittersweet. They’re loaded with pumpkin seed protein powder, which adds a nutty flavor as well as a hefty dose of the muscle building nutrient. (One to try: Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder, $32, amazon.com.) If you can’t track down pumpkin seed powder, try another unsweetened plant-based option, like pea protein powder.