DR. JIM PALERMO: Six-Pack of Space Coast Daily Health and Medical Headlines

By  //  July 12, 2016

screen time dominating Americans' lives

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Topics Include: Exercise and Cancer Risk; Rising Obesity Rate In U.S.; Kids and Junk Food Ads – and More.

EXERCISE LOWERS RISK FOR MANY CANCERS

A large study by a team at the National Cancer Institute confirmed that exercise lowers the risk of many different types of cancer.

reduce-cancer-risk-regular-exercise-fbAnalyzing dozens of cancer studies, the researchers were also able to determine just how much the reduction in risk is for each type.

Although it is always possible that people who are able to exercise more are healthier in other ways and less likely to develop cancer for some other reason, cancer experts say the evidence is very convincing that exercise directly affects the growth of tumors. (Maggie Fox, NBC News, 05/16)

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DOCTOR’S HOUSE CALLS SAVING MONEY FOR MEDICARE

Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) officials are returning to house calls as a means of reducing costs and improving care.

house callCMS’ pilot program called Independence at Home, is more than a nostalgic throwback to the way medicine was practiced decades ago when the doctor arrived at the patient’s door carrying a big black bag.

If implemented correctly the house call program could prove to be a better way of treating very sick, elderly patients while they can still live at home. A 2014 study revealed that primary care delivered at home to Medicare patients saved 17 percent in health spending by reducing their need to go to the hospital or nursing home. (Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News, 05/16)

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HOW FRUIT AND ALCOHOL IMPACT BREAST CANCER RISK

According to two linked studies published in the British Journal of Medicine, teens who eat fruit may be building up protection against breast cancer, but drinking alcohol later in life could enhance the risk.

fruits and vegetables fight breast cancerIn one study, those who reported a high consumption of fruit and vegetables during adolescence had around a 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer diagnosis in middle age.

In the second study, results showed that women who increased their alcohol intake by two drinks per day over 5 years had around a 30 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared with those who did not change their alcohol consumption. Taken together these studies show how critical diet can be in modulating risk of breast cancer. (Yvette Brazier, Medical News Today, 05/16)

OBESITY STILL ON THE RISE IN U.S., ESPECIALLY IN WOMEN

Until the early 1980s, less than 20 percent of American adults were obese.

obese-coupleAccording to new Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health statistics, the nation’s obesity epidemic continues to grow, led by an alarming increase among women, in which, for the first time, more than 4 in 10 U.S. women are obese.

Now 40 percent of women and 35 percent of men meet criteria to be classified as seriously overweight, which is considered one of the nation’s leading public health problems because it can trigger diabetes and lead to heart disease and other serious health problems. (CBSNews.com, 06/16)

 AMERICANS DEVOTE MORE THAN 10 HOURS A DAY TO SCREEN TIME

According to the latest data from the Nielsen Company, the average American spends close to half of every day staring at one type of screen or another.

screen overloadThe report revealed that adults in the United States devoted about 10 hours and 39 minutes each day to consuming media, including how much time was spent daily using tablets, smartphones, personal computers, multimedia devices, video games, radios, DVDs, DVRs and TVs.

During the same time period last year, Nielsen reported that people spent about nine hours and 39 minutes engaging with gadgets, an increase thought to be related to the rise in smartphone and tablet usage. However, despite the growing options of devices available to users, radio and television are still used the most. (Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 06/16)

CHILDREN MAKE POOR DIETARY CHOICES SHORTLY AFTER ADVERTISEMENTS FOR UNHEALTHY FOODS AND BEVERAGES

Ads for unhealthy foods and beverages high in sugar or salt have an immediate and significant impact on children and lead to harmful diets, according to research from McMaster University.

junk-food-advertising-to-children_243785The study, published in the scientific journal Obesity Reviews, examined 29 trials assessing the effects of unhealthy food and beverage marketing and analyzing caloric intake and dietary preference among more than 6000 children. Researchers found that the marketing increased dietary intake and influenced dietary preference in children during or shortly after exposure to advertisements.

Lead author of the study, Behnam Sadeghirad, says that these findings demonstrate the influence that these advertisements, a growing epidemic, have on children’s food choices. (Medical News Today, 07/16)

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