Keeping up with exercise, nutrition, and health news takes some doing. There is so much new research, commentary, and discussion that it’s practically impossible to read everything. Here are a few items that caught my attention this week:
I read more than usual about the negative health effects of sitting. This isn’t necessarily new to me, but it’s nice to see more attention given to what I think will be the “next big thing” in health promotion. Research suggests that sitting too much can increase the risk of heart failure, especially in people who are also otherwise inactive. Inactivity can also affect the brain and not in a good way, at least in rodents. In case you aren’t aware of the many ways sitting too much can impact your body and health, this infographic is excellent. Now, if I can just get my boss to get me that stand-up desk I have been asking for! In the meantime, I can try this approach.
It turns out that the U.S. ranks nearly last (120/125 countries) for healthy eating, according to one report. It’s not that we don’t have access to healthy food (for access we ranked #21), it’s that we apparently choose not to eat that healthy food.
Did you know that you are more likely to die from a heart attack on nights and weekends than at other times during the week? It has to do with how quickly care is delivered. Something I will keep in mind when I schedule an MI!
I’m a bit of an infographic geek, so this one about obesity from the American Public Health Association caught my eye. The information isn’t new, but it captures the whole obesity problem in one graphic, so it is a nice resource.
Any conversation about obesity and weight loss inevitably turns to personal responsibility. Dr. David Katz addressed this issue in an interview. Key point, in my mind at least: “Before we can ask people to take responsibility we have to make sure they are empowered.”
Good news as I help myself to another cup: Coffee consumption is inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in a dose-response manner.
Finally, I am a college professor, so this explanation of what my colleagues and I actually do got my attention. I hope it also gets the attention of the people who think college professors “just teach a few hours a week.”
Dr Parr Says... 