Physical Activity News and Research

RSS

School playground equipment impacts physical activity levels

Schools looking to make children more active simply need to provide more balls, skipping ropes, racquets and hoola hoops, a new study has shown.

5 May 2010

Pay-for-performance may create unintended financial incentives for doctors to discriminate against obese patients

Pay-for-performance reimbursement models may create unintended financial incentives for doctors to discriminate against obese patients, measuring a patient's waist circumference may be more effective in predicting surgical outcomes than the more traditional body mass index measure, and childhood obesity doubles the risk of developing colon cancer, according to data being presented at Digestive Disease Week- 2010.

5 May 2010

Americans and their babies are gaining more body fat: Study

A new study has found for the first time that as Americans are gaining more body fat, so are their babies. The research, which reviewed data from more than 74,000 births, found that a key measure of body fat composition in newborns increased significantly over a 15-year period, mirroring similar increases among pregnant mothers. The findings were presented Sunday by researchers from Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting.

5 May 2010

Physically active lifestyle during adolescence can reduce effect of mutation in FTO gene: Study

The FTO gene is obesity's main ally. Several studies are now attempting to reveal the factors that play a key role in fighting against it. A new study led by Spanish researchers shows that a physically active lifestyle during adolescence can reduce the effect of a mutation in this gene which predisposes someone to becoming overweight or obese.

5 May 2010

$10M NIH grant to reduce cardiovascular disease risk among Latinos in East Los Angeles

The UCLA School of Public Health today announced a $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund a Center for Population Health and Health Disparities in partnership with the University of Southern California, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and several community collaborators.

4 May 2010

Nutrition assistance programs need to be made available to all eligible children, adolescents: ADA

The American Dietetic Association has published an updated position paper on nutrition assistance programs for children that reviews existing programs and their value, discusses barriers to participation and encourages more research to evaluate the programs' long-term effectiveness in helping children get and stay healthy.

4 May 2010

Percentage of obese girls in the U.S. increases: HRSA study

The percentage of obese girls in the United States increased more than twice as much as the percentage of obese boys from 2003 to 2007, according to a study by researchers at the Health Resources and Services Administration.

4 May 2010

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

Physical Activity News and Research

School playground equipment impacts physical activity levels

Pay-for-performance may create unintended financial incentives for doctors to discriminate against obese patients

Americans and their babies are gaining more body fat: Study

Physically active lifestyle during adolescence can reduce effect of mutation in FTO gene: Study

$10M NIH grant to reduce cardiovascular disease risk among Latinos in East Los Angeles

Nutrition assistance programs need to be made available to all eligible children, adolescents: ADA

Percentage of obese girls in the U.S. increases: HRSA study

Tart cherries reduce osteoarthritis pain

Physical activity when young reduces risk of developing osteoporosis

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

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

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

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

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

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

Study finds kids five and younger dangerously physically inactive

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

Laughter is truly the best medicine says new research

University of Granada researcher designs reliable method to diagnose fibromyalgia

Study: Cigarette smoking, fructose consumption can worsen NAFLD

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Latest News