Physical Activity News and Research

RSS

Obesity has greater impact on girls' blood pressure

The female hormone estrogen is known to offer protection for the heart, but obesity may be taking away that edge in adolescent girls. New research from the University of California at Merced finds that although obesity does not help teens of either gender, it has a greater impact on girls' blood pressure than it does on boys'.

15 Oct 2011

Penn Nursing encourages kids to ward off diabetes with 'Dance for Health'

With more than 18 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, Terri Lipman, PhD, CRNP, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, encourages kids to ward off the disease with "Dance for Health."

15 Oct 2011

Three-step strategy for healthy bones and strong muscles

For this year's World Osteoporosis Day, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is releasing a 24-page report promoting a three-step strategy for healthy bones and strong muscles.

14 Oct 2011

Tart cherries can help fight America's Fruit Fatigue

Just four fruits - oranges, bananas, apples and watermelons - account for nearly half of America's fruit intake. Eating a variety of rich-colored fruits is essential to an overall healthful diet, but most Americans are falling far short of the daily recommended consumption of fruit. Only one in five Americans is currently getting the recommended 1 to 2 cups of fruit each day. In fact, Americans only average 42 percent of the recommended fruit, so the gap is significant.

14 Oct 2011

NICHQ receives CDC grant to accelerate number of U.S. Baby-Friendly hospitals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded nearly $6 million over three years to the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality to help hospitals nationwide make quality improvements to maternity care to better support mothers and babies to be able to breastfeed. The goal of the project is to accelerate the number of U.S. Baby-Friendly hospitals.

14 Oct 2011

Restless legs syndrome linked to hypertension

Up to 15 percent of the population has restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome is characterized by crawling sensations and repeated muscle twichings in one or both legs, and an uncontrollable urge to move them - which may compel a person to walk in circles for hours at night.

12 Oct 2011

ACR celebrates World Arthritis Day with the theme 'Move to Improve'

The American College of Rheumatology joins organizations from around the world in celebrating World Arthritis Day. Held every year on October 12, this year's theme is "Move to Improve" - focusing on using physical activity to combat arthritis and rheumatic diseases - such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and psoriatic arthritis.

12 Oct 2011

High street connectivity has opposite effect on children's physical activity

High intersection density and well-connected streets in towns and cities may discourage children from being active and exercising outdoors, according to a Queen's University study.

12 Oct 2011

Safe environments influence women to be physically active

Getting women to meet the U.S. federal government's recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remains a huge challenge. A large new study shows that where women live affects just how likely they are to exercise.

11 Oct 2011

New research relates role of gender and weight management in overall sleep patterns

The benefits of a good night's sleep to overall health have long been reported. Now, new research has emerged relating to the role gender and weight management play in overall sleep patterns. The abstract, Gender Differences in a Naturalistic Observational Study of Sleep and BMI, was presented during a poster session at the annual Obesity Society meeting in Orlando, Florida this week.

4 Oct 2011

CCP announces eight new cancer research projects at BWH

The Campaign for Cancer Prevention (CCP) began in 2007 with the single goal of uniting those across the globe who care about preventing cancer. It has now grown to a more than 6 million member movement, becoming a leading initiative on the social media platform, Causes.com.

4 Oct 2011

Stroke more prevalent among Metis than other Manitobans

The stroke rate among Manitoba Metis is nearly 25 percent higher than for other Manitobans, according to a study by the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) presented today at the Canadian Stroke Congress.

4 Oct 2011

Men get type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI than women: Study

A latest study reveals that men need to gain little weight in order to develop type 2 diabetes as compared to women. A study carried out by clinical academics at Glasgow University found men developed the disease at a lower Body Mass Index than women, explaining why men have higher rates of diabetes in many parts of the world.

3 Oct 2011

Most people fall after stroke, usually at home: Study

Almost 60 per cent of people who have a stroke experience one or more falls afterwards - most often in their own homes - and some are left with serious injuries, according to a study released today at the Canadian Stroke Congress.

3 Oct 2011

Bedtime found to be important for preteens, teens to keep them slimmer and active: Study

Ben Franklin was right, at least on the healthy part. "Early to bed and early to rise" appears to have helped a cross-section of early-bird Australian youths keep slimmer and more physically active than their night-owl peers, even though both groups got the same amount of sleep.

1 Oct 2011

Researchers examine link between innate exercise capacity and survivability

Aerobic exercise capacity has proven to be a good indicator of health. A recent paper in Circulation Research whose authors include researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's KG Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine uses a rat model to show that innate exercise capacity can be linked to longevity.

1 Oct 2011

JIA program effective in changing unhealthy youth behaviors

The National Survey of Children's Health indicates 31 percent of Missouri children are overweight or obese; yet, the state lacks physical activity requirements for students and nutritional standards for school meals beyond those recommended by the USDA.

29 Sep 2011

Raised blood pressure may higher risk of cancer, death

Raised blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from the disease according to the findings of the largest study to date to investigate the association between the two conditions.

27 Sep 2011

Physical activity improves arthritis symptoms in obese mice

Adding another incentive to exercise, scientists at Duke University Medical Center have found that physical activity improves arthritis symptoms even among obese mice that continue to chow down on a high-fat diet.

27 Sep 2011

University of Utah develops video game to help children with cancer

Even super heroes need a chance to get better, especially if they've been fighting their arch-nemesis and a robotic crab that just won't go away. At least, that's the premise behind a video game developed at the University of Utah to help children with cancer during their treatment.

26 Sep 2011