Weight gain affects prostate cancer risk

Transcription

1 Weight gain affects prostate cancer risk Obesity is well-known to increase the risk of colon and breast cancer. However, it can also seriously impact men s prostate cancer risk, claims a new study conducted at the University of Hawaii s Cancer Research Center and published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. The study claims that weight gain is associated with a greater risk of developing the disease. For the study, a group of researchers evaluated a group of 83,879 men ages 45 to 75 for three years. They traced study participants rates of developing prostate cancer over a period of three years. The researchers also concluded that overall body mass as well as weight gain during adulthood affected the rate of progression and the cancer stage (severity). The researchers also found a high variation in risk according to ethnic background, with Japanese men being at a lower risk. Hernandez BY, et al. (2009). Relationship of body mass, height, and weight gain to prostate cancer risk in the multiethnic cohort. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 18, vol 8, iss 1, p 1

2 Yoga decreases back pain A new study published in the journal Spine strengthens the case made by previous research that has indicated that yoga is beneficial in fighting back pain. Back pain is very common; it accounts for an estimated 20 to 25 percent of medical claims and costs over $34 billion annually. While many people avoid exercise because of their back pain, they shouldn t. This research presents yoga as a solution for people with back pain to stay active. Researchers studied a group of 90 people, aged 23 to 66, who had moderate lower back pain. They divided participants into two groups: one group did 90-minute sessions of yoga twice a week for six months, and the other group continued their normal exercise regimen unsupervised. After six months, a greater proportion of those who'd done yoga reported improvements in their pain and functioning as measured by questionnaires that asked about pain levels, difficulty performing physical tasks and pain medications being taken. Yoga participants also reported fewer symptoms of depression. Williams K, et al. (2009). Evaluation of effectiveness and efficacy of Iyengar yoga therapy. Spine, 34(19), of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. To learn more about the health benefits of exercise, visit HealthClubs.com today. vol 8, iss 1, p 2

3 Obesity is linked to childhood emotional problems Many factors are involved in obesity, including diet and exercise; however, many other factors play a part. A new study conducted in the UK indicates that there is a significant association between certain childhood emotional problems and obesity. Other studies have linked emotional problems, such as depression, to lower physical activity, which only worsens the cycle of inactivity. For the study, researchers looked at data from 6,500 people from ages 10 through 30. Their emotions, self-perceptions, BMI and weight were assessed at regular time intervals throughout the 20 years. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that participants who had lower self-esteem as children were more likely to be obese as adults. This link was even stronger in females than in males. Ternouth A, Collier D, and Maughan B. (2009). Childhood emotional problems and self-perceptions predict weight gain in a longitudinal regression model. BMC Medicine, epub. vol 8, iss 1, p 3

4 Chasing kids doesn t replace the gym If you are a parent, you might feel like all you do is chase after your kids. While many experts have claimed that this is a great workout, researchers from Central College in Iowa question this advice. While playing with and chasing after children is a form of activity and should be encouraged, it is not usually enough. This study recommends going to the gym to complete the recommended amount of physical activity. Researchers studied a group of 58 women who each had two or more children under the age of six. Most participants indicated that they felt exhausted from chasing their kids, and believed that they were getting an hour of physical activity daily. However, in reality, only one third of participants actually got 30 minutes of moderateto-vigorous physical activity, five days per week. Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. To learn more about the health benefits of exercise, visit HealthClubs.com today. vol 8, iss 1, p 4

5 Weight loss improves kidney function Exercise and weight loss have been clinically proven to reduce heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other conditions. Now a new study in the most recent issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society for Nephrology adds yet a new benefit of exercise to that long laundry list. Weight loss, the study claims, helps improve kidney function, especially in overweight patients. A group of researchers analyzed recent medical literature and found a total of 13 studies that evaluated kidney function in relation to weight loss. All subjects in all studies that were part of the analysis were overweight. After conducting an analysis of all study results, the researchers concluded that weight loss had a significant impact on kidney function. Weight loss helps to normalize filtration rates as well as decreases the chance of a disorder called proteinuria, which indicates kidney damage. Navaneethan SD, et al. (2009). Weight loss interventions in chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Journal of the American Society for Nephrology, epub. vol 7, iss 1, p 5