The press has picked up on studies highlighting how inactivity is associated with modest declines in memory and thinking activity, and that even 6 to 9 minutes of exercise can help. Also, weight loss, body positive movement, breast density, heavy metals in dark chocolate, and more.
CNN: A few minutes of vigorous activity can help your brain, study finds
Study author John Mitchell, a doctoral student at the Medical Research Council, said, “A short six to nine minutes of more active activity compared to sitting, sleeping, or calm activity. People who also spent time had higher cognitive scores.” I was contacted by email from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health at University College London. (Lamotte, 1/23)
NBC News: Skipping exercise in favor of sitting may worsen brain function, study finds
A study published Monday in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that skipping exercise in favor of less strenuous activities such as sitting and lying down slightly impairs memory and thinking skills. Ta. (Lovelace Jr., 1/23)
As for weight—
CNN: Upper abdominal bulge linked to later physical decline, study says
If you’re a man or woman approaching 50, look down in the middle of yourself. It’s the dreaded midriff bulge – an enlarged waistline that often creeps up on you as you age, like a receding hairline or extra wrinkles. Sounds right, right? But a new study finds that getting a bigger belly isn’t just about buying the next size british, it can also negatively affect your physical performance later in life. (Lamotte, 1/24)
In other health and wellness news —
CNN: Many women underestimate breast density as a risk factor for breast cancer, study shows
Dense breast tissue is associated with up to four times the risk of breast cancer. But few women consider breast density to be a significant risk factor, according to a new study. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, surveyed 1,858 women between 2019 and 2020 between the ages of 40 and her age of 76 who had recently had a mammogram and had a history of breast cancer. reported that they had heard about mammary gland density. (Chavez, 1/23)
Reuters: Consumer Reports urges dark chocolate makers to cut lead, cadmium levels
Consumer Reports on Monday prompted four chocolate producers to pledge to reduce the amount of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products by Valentine’s Day after tests revealed harmful levels of heavy metals. Consumer Reports, in a letter to Hershey, Mondelez International, Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe’s, said long-term exposure to metals can lead to nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage. (Stempel, 1/23)
Stat: Chatbot Creates Questions About Transparency in Mental Health Care
The mental health field is increasingly turning to chatbots to ease the mounting pressure on its limited pool of licensed therapists. But they are treading uncharted ethical territory as they face the question of how deeply AI should be involved in highly sensitive support. (Ravindranath, 1/23)
CIDRAP: More salmonella cases reported in outbreak linked to pet bearded dragon
Two outbreaks of salmonella linked to pet bearded dragons, first announced in October, sickened at least nine more people in five states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement. The added cases bring a total of 32 infections from 20 states. Ten people were hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. The outbreak involves his two Salmonella serovars, Vitkin (12 cases) and IIIb 61:z52:z53 (20 cases). (Schniling, 1/23)
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