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University of South Carolina researchers report that among a group of 1,570 elementary school students, only 9.3% of girls and 10.4% of boys engaged more than the recommended 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, May 2018
Read MoreAn analysis of data from surveys completed by teenagers in 2010 and 2015 found that while fewer adolescents are drinking soda, there has been a slight uptick in sugary sport drink consumption. The researchers note that most kids do not need such drinks even if they are physically active and would benefit from simply drinking…
Read MoreChildren from homes in which an adult smokes either tobacco or marijuana are 24% more likely to have visited an emergency room in the previous year and twice as likely to have been diagnosed with an ear infection. The researchers say the findings should not be a surprise, as second-hand smoke has been linked to…
Read MoreWhile being overweight is linked to a number of poor health outcomes, being underweight in old age can have a detrimental effect on the brain. In this study, which looked at data from the Gothenburg Birth Cohort Studies, researchers found that seniors with a body mass index under 20 had a greater risk for dementia…
Read MoreIndividuals who suffer from gluten intolerance or sensitivity must pay close attention to ingredients, as even a small amount of gluten can cause a reaction. Even over-the-counter and prescription meds can contain gluten. To avoid gluten in medications, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests: carefully read the ingredients on all your meds, talk to…
Read MoreOn-call work requires being ready to work at any time, which can be very stressful for many individuals. A recent study investigated the association between on-call work and health issues among a sample of over 29,000 men and women from a variety of industries and found that being on-call increases the risk for the following…
Read MoreChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who engaged in a twelve-week tai chi intervention experienced similar improvements on the Saint Georges Respiratory Questionnaire—a standard measure of health status for patients with airway obstruction—as patients in a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program. Chest, March 2018
Read MoreConsuming vegetables can help older women keep their blood vessels healthy. In this study, researchers found that the carotid artery walls of women who ate the most vegetables were about 0.05 millimeter thinner than those who ate the fewest servings of veggies, suggesting a lower risk for heart disease. Lead researcher Dr. Lauren Blekkenhorst adds,…
Read MoreYour childhood best friend may have a surprising protective effect on your health in adulthood. In this study, researchers monitored the social lives of 267 individuals between age six and age sixteen and found that boys who spent more time with friends had a lower risk for high blood pressure and obesity in their early…
Read MoreAmong a sample of 3,742 type 1 diabetics, those with depression at middle-age had a 72% increased risk for developing dementia over the next two decades. This finding is especially worrisome to researchers as 20% of participants had diagnosed depression at the onset of the study. Aging & Mental Health, April 2018
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