Mental Attitude: A Stable Family Life Helps Teens Avoid Obesity.
Researchers reviewed information on about 3,700 females and 2,600 males aged 14 to 24 and found that those with stable families and strong relationships with their parents were more likely to follow a healthy diet. These children were also more likely to be both physically active and get sufficient sleep each night. The researchers also note that daughters in these families ate less fast food and were less likely to be overweight or obese and sons who had a close relationship with their father were less likely to be overweight or obese.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, June 2016
Health Alert: Top Causes of Death in the United States.
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals that the death rate in the United States has hit an all-time low, but heart disease and cancer continue to be the leading causes of death. According to experts, the top ten cause of death are: heart disease (23.4% of all deaths), cancer (22.5%), chronic lung diseases (5.6%), accidents/unintentional injuries (5.2%), stroke (5.1%), Alzheimer’s disease (3.6%), diabetes (2.9%), influenza and pneumonia (2.1%), kidney disease (1.8%), and suicide (1.6%).
National Vital Statistics Reports, June 2016
Diet: Why Blood Glucose Rises.
It is important for the health of the body that the concentration of glucose in the blood be maintained at a constant level. This is usually accomplished by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that controls blood sugar levels in the body. But for various reasons, the process doesn’t work correctly for people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association reports the following as possible reasons an individual’s blood glucose levels may spike: eating something that contains more carbohydrates than you normally eat, insufficient exercise, hormonal changes, being sick, and emotional stress.
American Diabetes Association, June 2016
Exercise: Moderate & Vigorous Exercise Helpful for Those with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver cells (from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption). The condition tends to occur more often in individuals who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. A new study has found that a brisk walk is just as good as a jog when it comes to reducing the levels of fat in the liver cells of patients with NAFLD, which suggests those who have difficulty with vigorous exercise can still prevent and treat NAFLD with moderate activity.
JAMA Internal Medicine, July 2016
Chiropractic: Pelvic Girdle Pain Can Persist Up to a Decade After Giving Birth!
A ten-year follow up with 370 women who experienced pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy revealed that 10% still suffered from the condition. Further analysis revealed that women with a history of low back pain prior to pregnancy had a 2.28 times greater risk for developing chronic PGP over the following decade when compared with women without a history of back pain.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, July 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Pain and Grip Strength Can Affect Independence.
Researchers questioned 264 Japanese women (age > 40 years) and found that those with back pain, knee pain, or reduced grip strength were more likely to experienced difficulties with their normal activities of daily living (ADL). This finding underscores the importance of both staying fit as one ages, as well as taking steps to reduce the risk of developing chronic pain.
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, July 2016