Unfortunately, the many interventions designed to encourage
better nutrition, regular physical activity, smoking cessation,
and to reduce or moderate alcohol consumption may not be having
the desired impact. Moreover, Americans appear to be getting
less healthy on the whole.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina compared
data collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey evaluated lifestyle
based on five factors: physical activity, smoking status,
alcohol
consumption, Body Mass Index (BMI) and consumption of fruits
and vegetables. Patients at the University Medical Center were
surveyed between 1988 and 1994, and again between 2001 and 2006.
All participants were between 40 and 74 years old at the time
of the survey.
The troubling news is that patients are entering the
hospital with poorer lifestyle habits across all five measured
variables than they did more than 18 years ago.
BMI increased by 8% from 28% to 36%. Participation in physical
activities at least 3 times weekly on average is down 10% to
43%. The same number of adults are smoking, 26.5%, and moderate
alcohol intake rose 11% to 51%. Last, fewer people are eating
their fruits and vegetables as 26% currently report eating at
least 5-a-day. That’s down 16%.
Overall, adherence to all 5 measures decreased by nearly
half, from 15% to 8%. Hence, it could be determined from this
study that adults are not heeding the advice to improve their
lifestyle. However, this study was limited to patients entering
a medical treatment facility. The results could simply demonstrate
that adults with previously poor lifestyle habits are continuing
to make poor choices, and the data may not be transferable to
the entire population.
King, D.E. et al (2009) Adherence to healthy lifestyle habits
in US adults, 1988-2006. American Journal of Medicine. 122:
528-34.
Strength Training Cuts Risk of Cancer
Death by 40%
Although overall cancer death rates have dropped nearly
20% over the past 15-20 years, deaths from specific types of
cancer that are associated with obesity continue to rise. It
turns out Resistance Exercise may further reduce overall cancer
deaths despite elevated Body Mass Index (BMI), and hence impact
the rate of cancer-related deaths regardless of obesity.
Researchers at the Cooper Institute tracked nearly
9,000 men
between 20 and 82 years of age over a 23-year period that
began in 1980. The data was obtained as part of the Aerobics Centre
Longitudinal Study. Information on the participants muscle strength
and adiposity were correlated with the incidence of cancer death
over the study period. Strength was assessed using the 1 repetition
maximum for bench press and leg press exercises. Body
mass index along with body fat percentage and waist circumference
was used to determine adiposity.
Over the study period, men with the greatest strength
associated with regular resistance exercise were 30-40% less
likely to die from a cancerous tumor. This benefit remained
after accounting for adiposity.
Previous research has identified connections between
aerobic exercise and weight loss on the incidence of cancer
deaths. The researchers suggest that men regularly participate
in Resistance Exercise at least twice weekly to achieve the
benefits uncovered in this study.
Ruiz, J.R. et al (2009) Muscular Strength and Adiposity as Predictors
of Adulthood Cancer Mortality in Men. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers
& Prevention 18(5):1468–76
Inability to Delay Gratification Tied
to Overweight in Adolescence
We in America live in a society that lacks patience
for everything from waiting in line at the grocery store to
climbing the corporate ladder. Why shouldn’t we expect that
to carry-over to weight loss? In a recent study, researchers
proposed that this ability to delay gratification (ATDG), may
present itself in childhood where identifying this behavioral
trait could prevent overweight and obesity in adulthood.
Researchers tested approximately 800 children at
ten sites throughout
the US as part of the
National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth
Development. The ability to delay gratification was assessed
at age 4 and the results compared to anthropometric measures
taken seven years later at age 11. The children were given a
pass/fail grade on a validated test to evaluate ATDG, 47% of
who failed at age 4. Children were classified as "overweight"
if their BMI was greater than or equal to the 85th
percentile for weight and height.
As expected, those who failed the task had a greater
likelihood of being overweight at age 11. Two additional measures
assessed were the mother's expectations of their child's ATDG
for food, and the mother's weight. Although there was no association
for maternal expectation of ATDG, children with mother’s who
were overweight were also more likely to be overweight. The
relationship of ATDG continued to persist after this finding.
In the battle against overweight and obesity,
the optimal playing field that is becoming more evident is in
targeting youth. By identifying factors that contribute to weight
gain throughout childhood, we can adjust our strategies accordingly
and experience improved outcomes in adult programs.
Seeyave, D.M. et al (2009) Ability to Delay Gratification at
Age 4 Years and Risk of Overweight at Age 11 Years Archives
of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine. 163(4):303-308.
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