Monthly News Archives



		Sedentary Life Starts in Toddlers New research suggests even 3-year-olds aren't getting enough exercise, raising concerns over their weight, future disease risk, psychological well-being, behavior and learning ability. Skip Workouts if You Feel Sick Do you believe that a cold or the flu needs to be sweated out in the gym? If so, you're mistaken. Your body doesn't sweat out toxins during exercise, rather, your immune system fights the better fight when it's not stressed. Eat Your Way to Good Teeth, Kids! Skipping breakfast appears to increase the risk of cavities in young children, new research reports. Brain Structure Changes Seen in Depressed Teens Teenagers with depression may have abnormal brain structure, Canadian researchers reported. Hardy Lifestyle Keeps Amish in Shape The Amish community prefers to live apart from the industrialized world, and new research suggests that outsiders could learn a lesson or two about personal fitness from it. New Virus a Major Cause of Infection in Children Human metapneumovirus -- a pathogen first identified in 2001 -- is responsible for 12 percent of lower respiratory tract infections that occur in young children, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Migraine Sufferers Heavy Users Of Emergency Room Services People with chronic migraines are heavy users of emergency room services, visiting such departments 42 per cent more than even other frequent users of the service, a new Ontario study shows. Researchers Identify Tremor Disorder Researchers say they have discovered a tremor disorder in adults that is often mistaken for Parkinson's or Alzheimer's and is linked to a common cause of mental retardation in children. High Estrogen Levels Stress You Out High levels of estrogen seem to make the brain more vulnerable to stress, says new research from Yale University. Study Traces Brain Lesions in Migraine Sufferers Researchers have identified brain lesions in migraine victims, a finding that could indicate the severe headaches are a progressive brain-damaging disease in some cases, a recent study said. Study Links High-Carbs and Weight Loss In the midst of the low-carb craze, a new study suggests that by eating lots of carbohydrates and little fat, it is possible to lose weight without actually cutting calories � and without exercising, either. Fat Cells Boost Immune System Fat cells usually take the rap for a number of health problems, but a Purdue University study says they may help the body defend itself against such diseases as diabetes and cancer. Chronic Itch More Than Skin Deep People with a chronic itchy skin condition often experience itchy symptoms in response to heat, electricity or other normally painful stimulation, results of a new study suggest. Obesity Among Swedish School Kids On The Rise The global obesity epidemic has caught up with even fitness-obsessed Sweden, with the number of overweight Stockholm school children nearly tripling over the past 14 years, according to a Stockholm county report. Unhealthy Lifestyle Puts One-Third of Beijing at Risk One third of all residents in the Chinese capital are putting their health at risk by overeating and under-exercising. Doctors: Birthing Pools Ease Early Labor Pains Submersion in water in a birthing pool eases early labor pains, reduces stress and may lessen the need for drugs, doctors said. Winter Can Be Challenging to Disabled Getting around in the winter can be a daunting task for the disabled. Every condition -- including freezing temperatures, ice, snow and low wind chills -- can present a new set of challenges. Nutrition Counseling Cuts Kids' 'Bad' Fat Intake Nutritional counseling for families can cut the amount of saturated fat in young children's diets without depriving them of needed nutrients, a study in Finland shows. Body 'Awareness' Makes Some People Anxious People who are highly sensitive to their heartbeat and other internal "body states" tend to experience more anxiety and other negative emotions on a daily basis. Sleep Fine-tunes Memories New research in rats suggests slumbering animals devote brain power to filing away recollections of the previous day's events. The process could explain how some short-term memories turn into long-term ones while others vanish. Male Genes: The Weaker Sex? Here's a cheerful finding for those who say that males push females around too much: On the molecular level, it appears male genes may have to leave their homes for protection, researchers report. McDonald's Canada to Offer Lighter Menu With fast food coming under fire from groups as diverse as documentary film makers, health advocates and the overweight, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Ltd. said on it will list the calories in all the food it sells and offer Canadians a new, lighter menu. Study Warns of Deep- Vein Thrombosis 'Crisis' Airlines routinely warn about the risk of deep-vein thrombosis, the so-called economy-class syndrome, but a new study says doctors are not doing enough on the ground to prevent DVT cases. Obesity Carries Huge Financial Weight Obesity cost the United States about $75 billion in 2003, and taxpayers footed about half the bill through Medicare and Medicaid programs. Parents Increasingly Question Vaccine Wisdom Although vaccines are recommended for pregnant women, parents are increasingly concerned that vaccines may harm their unborn children. Instability Can Dampen Your Outlook Just like humans, rats apparently can be plagued by pessimism. Researchers at the University of Bristol in England found that rats that were housed in unpredictable conditions seem to be burdened with a more negative outlook than rats that live in settled, stable circumstances. Sleeping on It Helps in Problem Solving Advice to "sleep on it" could be well founded, scientists stated. After a good night's sleep a problem that seemed insurmountable the night before can often appear more manageable, although the evidence until now has been anecdotal. Is Stress Affecting Your Health? Social and behavioral factors, such as stress, contribute to more than half of all deaths in the United States. Teen Obesity Tied to Adult Death Risk A large study links adolescent obesity to an increased risk of death by middle-age, though the connection seems to be largely explained by the tendency of obese teens to remain so as adults. Sometimes, a Healthy Weight is the Way to Go When overweight clients ask dietitians what a healthy weight is, some state it's not necessarily as low as they might think. In light of the obesity epidemic, that news might make a sizable difference to the two-thirds of people who are overweight and the one-third who are obese. Eating Chicken May Boost Arsenic Exposure Indulging in your favorite chicken dish may expose you to higher levels of arsenic than you think, government researchers say. Workplace Anger Widespread There's a lot of anger just below the surface in the workplace, and you'd be well-advised not to incur the wrath of a colleague, says a British study. Diabetics Are Urged to Check Legs There's grim news on the diabetes front: Nearly two-thirds of diabetics aren't properly controlling their blood sugar. And one in three older diabetics likely also has a serious leg disease that could cost their limb � or their life. Activists Say U.S. Tries to Sap World Obesity Fight Consumer groups accused the United States of trying to sabotage a global fight against obesity targeting junk food and soft drinks. New Study Reinforces SIDS Prevention Guidelines A large European study supports existing guidelines for protecting babies from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Couch Potatoes Can Start Young Some children as young as 3 display a sedentary lifestyle that increases their risk of obesity later in life, says a study in the Jan. 17 issue of The Lancet. VO2 max: What is it, Why is it so important, and how do you improve it? Exercise physiologists define VO2 max as your maximal rate of oxygen consumption. It is a measure of your capacity to generate the energy required for endurance activities and is one of the most important factors determining your ability to exercise for longer than four to five minutes. Thick Waist Predicts Blood Pressure Risk A measuring tape seems to be a powerful tool for identifying people at risk of developing high blood pressure, researchers from Brazil report. Cold Weather Rarely Deters Runners Runners and other athletes from colder climes brave the elements every day to pursue their passion, some looking for a competitive edge or preparing for spring marathons. Others just get a kick out of being the only ones exercising outside on a snowy day. Scientists Warn Big AIDS Vaccine Trial Will Fail A $119 million federally funded experiment in which an AIDS vaccine is being tested on 16,000 volunteers in Thailand is doomed to fail and should never have been started, 22 leading HIV researchers charge. Frito-Lay Introduces Low-Carb Chips Snack foods company Frito-Lay said it is introducing two new types of chips to capitalize on the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets. Obesity Risks For Asians Show One Size Doesn't Fit All: WHO Ample Asians face obesity-related illnesses just like their plump American, Canadian and British counterparts, but current medical standards are ill-adapted to evaluate their risks, say experts from the World Health Organization (WHO). Study Tells Overweight Adults to Walk Overweight adults who are not on a diet need only a small amount of exercise � the equivalent of a half-hour of brisk walking per day � to prevent further weight gain, a study found. Dance From Brazil Latest Exercise Trend A centuries-old Brazilian dance that combines martial arts with the pulse and energy of a Carnival party is sweeping fitness centers, challenging gym rats constantly looking for new trends. Research Raises Cancer Concerns Over Deodorants Chemicals found in underarm deodorants have been detected in the tumors of breast cancer sufferers, British scientists stated. A Few Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant Pregnancy is a subject that generates a lot of paper. Bookstores and libraries devote not just shelves but entire aisles to it. At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will likely load you down with armfuls of pamphlets that cover every test and trimester. But despite all this information, pregnancy can take any soon-to-be parent by surprise. Vitamin D May Help Prevent MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis Vitamin D -- which the body makes when exposed to sunlight -- may help prevent multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, two studies suggest. Marijuana Buzz Linked to 'Runner's High' The same family of chemicals that produces a buzz in marijuana smokers may be responsible for "runner's high," the euphoric feeling that some people get when they exercise, U.S. researchers say. School and Work Call on Same Mental Skills If you're successful in school, there's a good chance that pattern will repeat itself in the work world. An analysis of 127 studies involving 20,352 people concluded that the intelligence needed to make it in the workplace is similar to the intelligence necessary for academic achievement. Encouraging Children to Become Fit, Healthy and Happy Although you should share your interests with your child, it's never a good idea to force your child into an activity just because you once excelled in it. In fact, many children may worry that they won't be able to measure up to the success their parents once enjoyed playing a particular sport. Farm-Raised Salmon Contain More Pollutants Farm-raised salmon contain significantly more dioxins and other potentially cancer-causing pollutants than salmon caught in the wild, says a study that could confuse consumers long told the fish is heart-healthy. Low-Tar Cigarettes' Health Risk Examined Low-tar cigarettes do not carry a lower risk of lung cancer, according to the first study comparing lung cancer deaths among smokers of ultra-light, mild and medium filtered cigarettes. Rising Disability in the Young Tied to Obesity Disability is no longer limited to the old. Thanks largely to the obesity epidemic, disability rates among the under-60 crowd have risen sharply over the past 20 years, says a RAND Corp. report published in the January issue of Health Affairs. 30% of Children Eat Fast Food On any given day, one in every three children eats a fast-food meal at McDonald's, Burger King and the like, according to a new U.S. study. The children who eat fast food consume, on average, an additional 187 calories daily, the researchers found. Seeking Sound Sleep for Children A new way to identify obstructive sleep apnea in children has been developed by researchers at McGill University Health Centre. The Canadian scientists report on their work in the January issue of Pediatrics. Smokers Have Higher Breast Cancer Risk Women who smoke may have a far higher risk of breast cancer than those who do not, or those who once smoked but quit, U.S. researchers reported. Fitness Lowers Overweight Diabetics' Death Risk Being fit can lower a diabetic man's risk of dying, even if he is significantly overweight, new research suggests. Depressed Mind Responds Differently to Different Therapies Patients who engage in cognitive or "talk" therapy to recover from depression show brain changes that differ from what occurs with drug therapy, new research finds. Coffee May Lower Diabetes Risk Drinking more coffee may reduce the risk of developing the most common form of diabetes, a study found. Pediatrician Group Opposes Soft Drinks in Schools Soft drinks should not be sold in schools despite the revenues they generate because overconsumption of sugar-laden beverages can lead to obesity and tooth decay, a leading pediatricians' organization stated. Winter Chills Bring Risks to Elderly The winter brings many seasonal pleasures, but seniors have to be extra careful not to suffer the bad effects of cold weather. Study Links Kids, Fast Food and Weight Alarming numbers of children who eat fast-food are not surprising since billions of dollars are spent each year on advertising directed at kids, said lead author Dr. David Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Children's Hospital Boston. Study Says U.S. Teens Are Fattest Teenagers in the United States have higher rates of obesity than those in 14 other industrialized countries, including France and Germany, a study of nearly 30,000 youngsters ages 13 and 15 found. Stopping Heart Disease in Its Tracks Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in many developed countries taking millions of lives every year. The statistics are especially frustrating to doctors because many heart disease deaths could be averted if people took better care of themselves and practiced healthier habits. CT Scan Radiation May Affect Kids' IQ Children who suffer a head injury are often routinely examined by a CT scan. Now, a Swedish team has found that radiation doses typically delivered by such a scan during infancy may harm intellectual capacity later in life. Watch It Out There On the Ice About 500,000 people play ice hockey, far fewer than most sports, and yet it is the second leading cause of winter sports injuries among children. Live Long and Prosper While good genes can help you live a long, healthy life, they're not a guarantee that you'll be an active centenarian. To help you along, the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers these healthy aging tips. A New Take on Weight-Loss Resolutions So now it's time again for that nagging New Year's resolution -- to shed some pounds in the coming year. Luckily, researchers have uncovered some new approaches that might just work. Fruit Nutrient May Fight Resistant Prostate Cancer Men with prostate cancer who have not responded to conventional treatments may benefit from supplements containing a modified form of a fruit ingredient, preliminary research suggests. Support Helps Older Adults Keep Up Exercise Self-confidence and support from family and friends may help older adults stick with exercise for the long haul, a study in the Netherlands shows. Pregnancy May Weaken Teens' Bones Teenage girls who become pregnant may be at increased risk for weakened bones, researchers report. Good Mental Health May Help Ease Chronic Fatigue People who have good mental health and refrain from using sedatives tend to fare better with chronic fatigue syndrome than others, new research shows.