Health-Points: Friday 3.27.09
- Not all that surprising, but a new study claims U.S. middle school students are out of shape. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine scientists determined half of 5th and 7th graders in Georgia were unable to reach minimum standards for aerobic fitness, 30% of students were overweight and 22% did not get the recommended 60 minutes exercise a day; Reuters reports.
- On the flipside, kids who get plenty of exercise have less depression. In adults, exercise releases endorphins helping people feel more upbeat, same goes for children. A study printed in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology divided overweight, sedentary kids, ages 7 to 11, into two exercise groups, one for 20 minutes a day and the other for 40 minutes, revealing as exercise increased so did the psychological benefits; via Booster Shots.
- And for women, fast-paced walking may be extra good for weight-loss. Researchers discovered women who did three shorter, fast-paced walks a week lost 5 times more belly fat than women walking at a moderate pace 5 days a week, despite both groups burning the same number of calories per workout, without dieting; from Prevention.
- More love for vitamin D. New research in the Archives of Internal Medicine found daily supplements of vitamin D may reduce the risk of various bone breaks. The study, involving 42,279 adults, ages 65 and older, linked vitamin D with a 14% lower risk of non-vertebral fractures and 9% less risk of hip fractures. However, low-dose vitamin D supplements did not decrease the chance of fracture; via NutraIngredients.
- Now this is cool. The American Psychiatric Association will end drug industry-sponsored medical seminars and continuing medical education courses, as well as phasing out meals served at the meetings paid for by drug-makers. One representative of the association said they have decided to separate their professional education from industries involved with psychiatry; The New York Times reports.
- An update on last year’s milk-melamine scandal, a Chinese court will hear the first lawsuit from a family seeking damages for a child poisoned by drinking tainted milk. The parent is seeking 31,000 yuan, or $4,538, from the now bankrupt milk-producer at the center of the scandal. In China, nearly 300,000 children were sickened by contaminated milk, with 90% of affected families accepting state-backed compensation deals; Reuters investigates.
Image credit: Jose Kevo
