Physical activity Archives

Bowel cancer rising in Australia, reports AIHW

The report shows that bowel cancer incidence rates have risen in the last decade, to the point where it is the second most common cancer in Australians-but survival rates have been improving. – A new Australian report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) presents a mixed bag on favourable and unfavourable trends in chronic diseases over time. The report, Indicators for chronic disease and their determinants, 2008, focuses on the 12 chronic conditions that represent a large burden of disease in Australia.

Reducing kids’ salt intake lowers soft drink consumption

A reduction in salt intake could play a role in helping to reduce childhood obesity through its effect on sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption. – Children who eat less salt drink fewer sugar-sweetened soft drinks and may significantly lower their risks for obesity, elevated blood pressure and later-in-life heart attack and stroke, researchers reported in the print and online issue of Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Daytime dozing increases stroke risk in elderly

Older people who have significant trouble staying awake during the day have more than four times the normal risk of having a stroke, US researchers said. – Regular daytime dozing forewarns of a significantly increased risk of stroke in older Americans, researchers reported at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2008.

Low calorie sweeteners helpful in weight control

Low-calorie sweeteners may be one piece in solving the obesity puzzle, several studies conducted in humans have shown that low-calorie sweeteners and the products that contain them can be useful tools in weight control. – A recent review of the scientific literature has concluded that low-calorie (or no-calorie) sweeteners can be helpful in resolving the obesity problem. Although they are not magic bullets, low-calorie sweeteners in beverages and foods can help people reduce their calorie (energy) intakes.

Sedentary lifestyles linked to early aging

A sedentary lifestyle (in addition to smoking, high body mass index, and low socioeconomic status) has an effect on LTL and may accelerate the aging process. This provides a powerful message that could be used by clinicians to promote the potentially antiaging effect of regular exercise. – Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for many aging-related diseases. Individuals who are physically active during their leisure time appear to be biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles, according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, says UK Govt

A new ?372 million cross-government strategy to help everyone lead healthier lives was published today by the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls. – A new ?372 million cross-government strategy to help England’s population lead healthier lives was published by the UK Health Secretary, Alan Johnson and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls.

Burgers, fries, diet soda lead to metabolic syndrome

A Western diet heavy in meat, fried foods, burgers, fries, diet soda and refined grains puts people at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with risk for heart problems, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a new study found. – Otherwise-healthy adults who eat two or more servings of meat a day – the equivalent of two burger patties – increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 25 percent compared with those who eat meat twice a week, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Pedometers help people lose weight

People who participate in a pedometer-based walking program can be expected to lose a modest amount of weight even without changing their diet, with more weight loss the longer they stick with the program, according to a University of Michigan Health System analysis of nine studies. – People walking regularly can expect a modest amount of weight loss even without changing their diet, with more weight loss the longer they stick with the walking program, revealed by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System, US.

Osteoarthritis risk linked to shorter index finger

University of Nottingham researchers revealed that people whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger are at higher risk of osteoarthritis. – People whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger are at higher risk of osteoarthritis, a new University of Nottingham study has found.

Education programs lead to better health in heart patients

University of Michigan researchers revealed that heart patients find education programs lead to better health. – Older women heart patients benefit from educational programs as a supplement to clinical care to help significantly lower cardiac symptoms, lose weight and increase physical activity, a new study shows.

Exercise improves symptoms in arthritis patients

If adults with arthritis attend exercise program, they may expect improvements in symptoms, self-efficacy for arthritis management, and upper and lower extremity function. – Patients with arthritis tend to be less fit than their peers who don’t have this condition. Studies have shown, however, that they can safely participate in exercise programs to increase their fitness, strength and psychosocial status and that health providers recommend that arthritis patients participate in exercise.

Exercise reduces menopausal anxiety, stress and depression

Brisk walking routine can reduce a variety of psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress and depression in menopause women. – With more menopausal women seeking natural therapies to ease symptoms, a new study has found that simply adding a brisk walking routine can reduce a variety of psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress and depression.