Physical Activity News and Research

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Tart cherries reduce osteoarthritis pain

Arthritis affects about one-quarter of Americans and has been called "the coming epidemic" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 67 million adults are expected to be afflicted by 2030. May is National Arthritis Month and experts like registered dietitian Dave Grotto want Americans to take a food-first approach to managing arthritis pain.

4 May 2010

Physical activity when young reduces risk of developing osteoporosis

The positive effects of exercise while growing up seem to last longer than previously believed. New findings suggest that physical activity when young increases bone density and size, which may mean a reduced risk of osteoporosis later in life, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

4 May 2010

Weight loss through caloric restriction and increase in physical activity improve symptoms of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a debilitating problem for sufferers -- heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and acid reflux. According to a Mayo Clinic study that will be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 in New Orleans May 1-5, even moderate weight gain can exacerbate those symptoms, DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researcher in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

3 May 2010

Green exercise decreases risk of mental illness, improves sense of well-being

How much "green exercise" produces the greatest improvement in mood and sense of personal well-being? A new study in the American Chemical Society's semi-monthly journal Environmental Science & Technology has a surprising answer.

3 May 2010

IDEFICS study aims to promote healthy dietary and exercise habits among children

Adolescents, especially those who are not very physically active, eat too much sweet and fatty foods and not enough fruits and vegetables. This is the conclusion of a study from the Sahlgrenska Academy, at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, on dietary choices, exercise habits and prevalence of obesity among young people.

3 May 2010

Hormone mimic Octreotide promising for treatment of polycystic liver disease caused by ADPKD: Study

A hormone mimic called Octreotide may be effective for treating polycystic liver disease (PLD) caused by ADPKD, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The study is the first clinical trial performed in the United States to test the effects of this agent in PLD.

30 Apr 2010

A major research initiative to optimize quality of life for cancer survivors

At the age of 12, she was diagnosed with spinal cord cancer, with a nasty tumor sitting at the very base of her spinal cord and getting entangled with spinal nerves.

30 Apr 2010

Panel finds insufficient evidence to support preventive measures for cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease

Many preventive measures for cognitive decline and for preventing Alzheimer's disease-mental stimulation, exercise, and a variety of dietary supplements-have been studied over the years. However, an independent panel convened this week by the National Institutes of Health determined that the value of these strategies for delaying the onset and/or reducing the severity of decline or disease hasn't been demonstrated in rigorous studies.

29 Apr 2010

Study finds kids five and younger dangerously physically inactive

According to the 2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, Canadian kids five and younger are dangerously physically inactive. Healthy habits must start young, as lifestyle patterns set in the early years predict obesity and health outcomes in later childhood, and even through adulthood.

28 Apr 2010

Kaiser Permanente approves over 250 grants and donations totaling $7 million

Kaiser Permanente, one of America's leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans, announced today it approved more than 250 grants and donations nationwide totaling approximately $7 million in the first quarter of 2010. The grants focused on expanding access to nutritious food, providing safe spaces for all ages to increase physical activity, increasing opportunities for continuing education, and eliminating health disparities.

28 Apr 2010

Laughter is truly the best medicine says new research

A new study has shown that laughter may be one of the simplest exercises that has similar effects on the body as pumping iron in the gym. Researchers have named “Laughercise” as significant elevators of mood, stress busters, immunity boosters and blood pressure and cholesterol reducers. It can also stimulate appetite for the malnourished.

28 Apr 2010

University of Granada researcher designs reliable method to diagnose fibromyalgia

A researcher from the University of Granada has designed a reliable method that -combined with the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Reumathology- helps to diagnose fibromyalgia on the basis of patients' walk parameters, i.e. their gait.

28 Apr 2010

Study: Cigarette smoking, fructose consumption can worsen NAFLD

Recent studies suggest that modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking and fructose consumption can worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. With NAFLD, fat accumulates in the liver of overweight individuals despite drinking little alcohol, causing in some cases liver scarring that can lead to liver failure.

27 Apr 2010

Cell phone program to promote more physical activity

About two thirds of the American population is overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. The obesity epidemic in America is the result of poor eating habits, genetics, and a lack of exercise. It's therefore difficult for public health officials to get people to make a conscious effort to control their weight.

27 Apr 2010

Laughter increases production of antibodies and activates body's protective cells

Laughter is a highly complex process. Joyous or mirthful laughter is considered a positive stress (eustress) that involves complicated brain activities leading to a positive effect on health. Norman Cousins first suggested the idea that humor and the associated laughter can benefit a person's health in the 1970s. His ground-breaking work, as a layperson diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, documented his use of laughter in treating himself—with medical approval and oversight—into remission.

27 Apr 2010

Disadvantaged urban preschoolers more likely to struggle on playgrounds, athletic fields: Study

Disadvantaged urban preschoolers aren't only at risk for failure in the classroom - they are likely to struggle on playgrounds and athletic fields as well, research suggests.

27 Apr 2010

Four unhealthy behaviors associated with increased risk of death when combined

Four unhealthy behaviors—smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet and alcohol consumption—appear to be associated with a substantially increased risk of death when combined, according to a report in the April 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

27 Apr 2010

Mediterranean diet helps reduce risk of cognitive decline in older adults

Findings about what specific components of diets are most beneficial are frequently changing. However, an ongoing study of older adults shows evidence that one type of diet can help mitigate cognitive problems. An ongoing prospective study called the Chicago Health and Aging Project has shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cognitive decline with older age.

27 Apr 2010

Pennsylvania school districts set goals to reduce childhood obesity

Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity, but opportunities for physical activity did not improve in most schools, according to Pennsylvania nutritional scientists.

26 Apr 2010

Exercise helps retain greater bone density: Researchers

The stage for osteoporosis is set well before menopause-but exercise can help rewrite the script, according to Medical College of Georgia researchers.

26 Apr 2010