Mental Attitude: Body Acceptance Improving Among Women. Women in the United States today seem more satisfied with their weight than American females from 30 years ago. A review of more than 250 studies found that women’s dissatisfaction with body weight declined significantly between 1981 and 2012. Study author Dr. Bryan Karazsia adds, “In the past few years, we’ve seen more and more of the idea of body acceptance . . . and more media awareness [of this issue] growing from societal influences.”
American Psychological Association, August 2016
Health Alert: Injuries Increase as Trampoline Parks Expand. As indoor trampoline parks have grown in popularity, so have trampoline-related injuries to kids. According to the International Association of Trampoline Parks, the number of such parks increased in the United States from 35 to 280 between 2011 and 2014. Investigators found that emergency rooms saw an increase in the number of patients injured at trampoline parks from 581 in 2010 to nearly 7,000 in 2014. Children and teenagers accounted for most ER trips—with broken bones and sprains being the most common injuries. Lead researcher Dr. Kathryn Kasmire notes, “It’s important for parents to be aware of the risks at these parks… Supervise your kids the whole time, forbid flipping or any other ‘stunts,’ and be wary if the trampoline area is crowded.” Pediatrics, August 2016
Diet: Nut Consumption Associated with Reduced Signs of Inflammation. A new study that involved over 5,000 participants has revealed an association between greater nut intake and reduced levels of inflammation. Investigators found that those who consumed five or more servings of nuts per week had lower levels of biomarkers related to inflammation than those who seldom or never ate nuts. In addition, individuals who substituted three servings of red meat, processed meat, eggs, or refined grains per week with nuts had significantly lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Study author Dr. Ying Bao writes, “Population studies have consistently supported a protective role of nuts against cardiometabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and we know that inflammation is a key process in the development of these diseases… Our new work suggests that nuts may exert their beneficial effects in part by reducing systemic inflammation.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2016
Exercise: Benefits of HIIT. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) consists of short bursts of vigorous exercise with periods of rest. The American Council on Exercise says HIIT offers the following benefits: a major boost to anaerobic and aerobic fitness, increases sensitivity to insulin and lowers levels of fasting insulin, helps decrease percent body fat, and it can help exercisers achieve significant results in less time. American Council on Exercise, August 2016
Chiropractic: Women with Chronic Migraines Have Altered Neck Muscle Activity. A recent study investigated neck muscle activity in women with chronic migraines. Researchers used surface electromyography to monitor the neck muscles of 31 subjects with episodic migraines, 21 with chronic migraines, and 31 healthy individuals. The results revealed that women with chronic migraines exhibited greater activity in their superficial neck extensor muscles during neck flexion than the non-headache subjects. The findings demonstrate that cervical dysfunction may play some role in the migraine headache process. Additionally, previous studies have shown treatments that improve cervical function, like chiropractic care, can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in some patients. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, June 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Kids Safe During Summer. Most kids relish outside summertime activities, but parents need to take steps to help ensure the safety of their kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: protect kids when they’re near water, make sure kids know how to swim, and encourage adults to learn CPR; protect children from heat-related illness, avoid letting children overheat, encourage drinking lots of fluids; protect against sunburn; use insect repellent on children when they play outside; and make sure that playground equipment is safe before use.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2016
Quote: “Diligence is the mother of good fortune.” ~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

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