Physical Activity News and Research

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Is it any wonder kids are fat?

While the debate over childhood obesity rumbles on and experts search for reasons for the epidemic, a clutch of new studies recently published suggests the causes are a combination of factors.

26 Sep 2007

Impact of population-wide weight loss observed

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Cienfuegos, Cuba and Loyola University had a unique opportunity to observe the impact of population-wide weight loss due to sustained reductions in caloric intake and an increase in energy output.

25 Sep 2007

Lifestyle interventions in the treatment of childhood overweight

A little health information is not enough to help obese children get into better shape, according to a recent analysis.

25 Sep 2007

Children obese due to a host of unhealthy pressures

Unhealthy options and pressures influence nearly every part of children's daily lives, according to studies released this week in a special supplement of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

25 Sep 2007

Breast cancer death rate continues to drop

A report from the American Cancer Society finds the breast cancer death rate in the United States continues to drop more than two percent per year, a trend that began in 1990 and is credited to progress in early detection and treatment.

25 Sep 2007

School, family and community involvement are all needed to increase the activity levels of adolescen

Programmes aimed at increasing physical activity in adolescents need to cover both school and family or community life if they are to be effective, according to a study published on bmj.com.

25 Sep 2007

Dying for a good night's sleep?

If you are one of those who toss and turn every night trying to get a good night's sleep the latest research from Britain will not make you feel any better.

24 Sep 2007

Diet and lifestyle offers significant benefits to people with chronic kidney disease

"People who suffer severe chronic kidney disease clearly need support with their diets," she said. "When their kidneys function at less than 30 per cent they often lose their appetites, which can lead to malnutrition and compound their health problems."

24 Sep 2007

Consumers following questionable health and nutrition advice from the web

A new survey shows that an overwhelming number of Americans are following health and nutrition advice found on the Internet - whether they believe it to be accurate or not.

20 Sep 2007

Brits told to get off their bums and exercise!

A new survey of Brits has found that most people are so unwilling to exercise that even the prospect of a heart attack is not enough to persuade them.

20 Sep 2007

Exercise as effective for depression as drugs

A study of adults suffering from depression has found that regular exercise is just as effective as medication for improving symptoms.

20 Sep 2007

Higher education brings healthier behaviors

Both education and income can determine whether a person will remain healthy, but those who stay in school longer have the best odds, largely because education so strongly influences income, say the authors of a new study.

18 Sep 2007

The benefits of a clean and healthy environment for children: what is the UK doing?

The Health Protection Agency has published a report summarising current initiatives which address children and young people's environment and health issues in the UK.

18 Sep 2007

Campaign to fight chronic disease in the Caribbean

A major new campaign to fight chronic disease in the Caribbean is getting underway in an effort to stem "the worst epidemic of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease in the Americas," with the participation of heads of government.

18 Sep 2007

Effects of modified alternate-day fasting

Researchers report in the October issue of the Journal of Lipid Research that fasting or eating half as much as usual every other day may shrink your fat cells and boost mechanisms that break down fats.

18 Sep 2007

Computer game translates physical activity into video games

Finding a way to motivate the billion people in the world who are overweight to lose excess pounds can be an overwhelming task, but a University of Houston professor is meeting that weighty challenge with a challenge of his own.

17 Sep 2007

Having an overweight mother increases child's chances of obesity

A fat mother hastens a child's path to obesity, finds a study published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

13 Sep 2007

Ground-breaking computer models raise the bar for sporting achievement

Computer models now under development could enhance the design of sports equipment to help people of all abilities realise their sporting potential.

13 Sep 2007

Pocket guidelines for assessment and management of cardiovascular risk

A new book of pocket-charts that will help health workers to identify people at risk of heart attacks and strokes and save lives by prescribing the most appropriate treatment is published today by the World Health Organization (WHO). The charts can be adapted for use in any setting, in any country, with any patient.

12 Sep 2007

Under-11's not taking enough exercise

Less than three per cent of UK 11-year-olds are taking enough exercise, suggests research published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

12 Sep 2007