Physical Activity News and Research

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Obesity epidemic requires new focus on controlling energy balance and preventing weight gain

As the United States confronts the growing epidemic of obesity among children and adults, a team of University of Colorado School of Medicine obesity researchers concludes that what the nation needs is a new battle plan - one that replaces the emphasis on widespread food restriction and weight loss with an emphasis on helping people achieve "energy balance" at a healthy body weight.

4 Jul 2012

Safety tips to prevent heatstroke during hot weather

People across the country are experiencing sweltering weather with temperatures and the heat index reaching well into the 100-degree range. While many will take refuge in air-conditioned homes or at a local lake or pool, it's important to remember that the heat can be much more than bothersome. It can put your health at risk and even prove life threatening.

3 Jul 2012

Omron releases two new pedometers with Tri-Axis technology

With summer in full effect, people are participating in outdoor activities to reach their fitness goals. Research shows that using a pedometer can increase physical activity and can be a great motivational tool to help people reach the recommended 10,000 steps a day. Today Omron Healthcare, Inc., a leader in health & wellness products, announced the release of two new pedometers, the Omron HJ-320 and HJ-321.

2 Jul 2012

Obesity during adulthood linked to sexual and physical abuse during childhood

Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center report research findings that may shed light on influences on obesity during adulthood. Appearing in the journal Pediatrics, the study found an association of severity of sexual and physical abuse during childhood and adolescence with obesity during adulthood.

2 Jul 2012

New volumetric functional MRI scan figures out beneficiaries of chemotherapy in liver cancer patients

Studies on some 55 U.S. men and women with potentially deadly liver or pancreatic cancers show that specialized MRI scans can tell within a month whether highly toxic chemotherapy is working and killing tumor cells long before tumors actually shrink - or fail to shrink.

2 Jul 2012

More than 40,000 student athletes in Arizona receive Mayo Clinic baseline concussion testing

More than 40,000 student athletes in Arizona have taken advantage of computerized baseline concussion evaluations offered by Mayo Clinic in the program's first year. That amounts to nearly 40 percent of the state's roughly 100,000 high school athletes. Baseline concussion evaluations measure how the brain is working before injury, and are mandatory tests for professional and college athletes.

29 Jun 2012

Substituting short vehicle journeys for walks reduces death rates

A new study confirms that doing short journeys on foot rather than taking the car or motorbike would avoid the death of 108 men and 79 women a year in Catalonia alone. This would imply annual savings of more than 200 million euros.

28 Jun 2012

Menopausal women may experience fewer hot flashes following physical activity

Menopausal women who exercise may experience fewer hot flashes in the 24 hours following physical activity, according to health researchers.

28 Jun 2012

Taking steps to reduce diabetes risk

Modest amounts of daily walking can significantly reduce the risk for incident diabetes in obese and relatively inactive individuals, show findings from a US study.

27 Jun 2012

Exposure to phthalates may raise childhood obesity risk

Obese children have higher exposure to phthalates than nonobese children, suggest results presented at ENDO 2012 in Houston, Texas, USA, the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society.

27 Jun 2012

EU agenda focusses on lifesyle changes towards healthy diets and improved physical activity

A common Strategic Research Agenda of 22 countries in Europe focusses on lifesyle changes towards healthy diets and improved physical activity. Biomarker research, nutrigenomics, perzonalized food supplies and the prevention of chronic lifestyle related diseases are key-fields of the Joint Programming Inititative " A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life."

27 Jun 2012

Obese children show greater exposure to phthalates

Obese children show greater exposure than nonobese children to a phthalate, a chemical used to soften plastics in some children's toys and many household products, according to a new study, which found that the obesity risk increases according to the level of the chemical found in the bloodstream.

27 Jun 2012

Researchers examine how parenting style is associated with sedentary behaviour

In two studies published in a special issue of the journal Early Child Development and Care devoted to "Parental Influences of Childhood Obesity", researchers examine how parenting style - whether a strict but loving parent or a less-involved and more permissive parent - was associated with sedentary behaviour.

27 Jun 2012

Cardiovascular disease risk greater with Atkins-style diets

Women who regularly eat a low carbohydrate, high protein diet are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke) than those who do not, a study published on bmj.com today suggests.

27 Jun 2012

New FIRS data reveals lack of understanding and concern among public about lung disease

New data released by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) to coincide with World Spirometry Day today has revealed a lack of understanding and concern among the public about the world's biggest killer - lung disease, which now claims the lives of almost 4 million people a year.

27 Jun 2012

Persistent organic pollutants play a major role in metabolic syndrome

Lack of physical activity and poor diet alone cannot explain the dramatic rise in obesity and diabetes occurring in many countries, believe some researchers. It is time to face the possibility that hazardous chemicals may also share part of the blame.

27 Jun 2012

MRI scans determine whether chemotherapy is working long before tumors shrink

26 Jun 2012

Exercise-induced metabolic improvement not caused by just adipose change

The improvements in metabolic parameters that are achieved with increased physical activity are unlikely to be due to functional changes in adipose tissue alone, report researchers.

26 Jun 2012

Cancer survivors benefit from healthy lifestyle

Australia’s first community-based Cancer Survivors Centre, which is based at the University of New South Wales, has joined the Dry July campaign in a bid to pinpoint the vital role a healthy lifestyle plays in fending off cancer and the after-effects of the disease.

26 Jun 2012

Exposure to secondhand smoke may lead to obesity and Type 2 diabetes

Adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes than do nonsmokers without environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, a new study shows. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

25 Jun 2012