Health & Fitness
Omega 3 fatty acids lessen severity of osteoarthritis in mice
Mice consuming a supplement of omega 3 fatty acids had healthier joints than those fed diets high in saturated fats and omega 6 fatty acids, according to Duke Medicine researchers. The findings, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, suggest that unhealthy dietary fats – not just obesity – may contribute to worsening osteoarthritis. […]
Go play outside: Outdoor time promotes physical activity in youth
The World Health Organization recommends that youth participate in a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day. Studies have shown that youth experience most of their MVPA during school hours. Therefore, it stands to reason that increasing outdoor time after school hours would increase MVPA. In a new study […]
Obesity alone does not cause arthritis in animals
The link between obesity and osteoarthritis may be more than just the wear and tear on the skeleton caused by added weight. A Duke University study has found that the absence of the appetite hormone leptin can determine whether obese mice experience arthritis, no matter how heavy they are. “We were completely surprised to find […]
Want a higher GPA in college? Join a gym
For those students looking to bump up their grade point averages during college, the answer may not be spending more time in a library or study hall, but in a gym. New Michigan State University research shows that students who were members of the recreational sports and fitness centers on MSU’s campus during their freshman […]
Why weight-loss surgery cures diabetes: New clues
Scientists at The University of Manchester are a step closer to understanding why diabetes is cured in the majority of patients that undergo gastric bypass surgery. The research, published in the journal Endocrinology, shows the cure is likely to be explained by the actions of specialized cells in the intestine that secrete a cocktail of […]
Extreme obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years
Adults with extreme obesity have increased risks of dying at a young age from cancer and many other causes including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to results of an analysis of data pooled from 20 large studies of people from three countries. The study, led by researchers from the National […]
Neighborhoods with healthy food options less likely to have overweight kids
Children with a greater number of healthy food outlets near their homes had a reduced likelihood of being overweight or obese, finds an Australian study published in American Journal of Health Promotion. Children who had access to at least one healthy food outlet within 800 meters (about half a mile) of their home had a […]
Young Hispanics often obese, at higher risk for heart diseases
Obesity is common among U.S. Hispanics and is severe particularly among young Hispanics, according to research in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). The first large-scale data on body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular disease risk factors among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adult populations suggests that severe obesity may be associated with considerable excess risk […]
Why We Need to Stop Obsessing over the Scale
“Once a doctor visit.” This is my personal answer to the question, “How often do you weigh yourself?” And I’m serious. At the extremes, weight matters. In the middle, not so much. The response I usually get to my comment above is something like, “Well, you don’t need to worry about […]
Non-diet approach to weight management more effective in worksite wellness programs
Problematic eating behaviors and dissatisfaction with one’s body are familiar struggles among women. To combat those behaviors, which have led to higher healthcare premiums and medical trends, employers have offered worksite wellness programs to employees and their families. However, the vast majority of wellness programs limit their approach to promoting diets, which may result in […]