Almost 6000 teens in Norway experienced more recurrent headaches if they smoked, were overweight, and inactive. This cross-sectional study found, after controlling for confounders, that those who smoked had a 50% increased risk for headaches (migraine, tension and unclassified); overweight, a 40% increased risk, and lack of physical activity conferred a 20% increase in risk. The more unhealthy habits the teen had, the greater they were at risk for headaches.

PositiveTip: A healthy lifestyle in teens (and most likely adults, also) lowers the risk for recurrent headaches of all types.

Just a few days ago, a dear friend of ours past to her rest at age 94. She was an incredible lady with a zest for life and and a love for other people. It is hard to believe that just a month ago she was driving her own vehicle on her errands, and living remarkably well in her own house! 

On the other hand, we also know individuals who have suffered increasing disability over a span of many years. Their quality of life has continued to deteriorate over their lifespan.

One of the concerns of scientists has been that people with low health risks tend to live longer than those with higher health risks.

Many studies have concluded that when it comes to health and mortality, it is more important to be rich than poor! But most of these studies have only assessed health behaviors at the baseline.

One British study followed 10,000 civil servants for 25 years, checking on their diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption 4 times during the follow-up. When only the baseline health behaviors were considered the advantage was with the higher socioeconomic group. However, when the health behavior assessments during the follow-up were factored in, socioeconomic status was no longer significant.

PositiveTip: The health choices we make as individuals exert the greatest influence on our health and mortality--regardless of our socioeconomic status.

A thirteen year study of 34,000 middle-age women in the Women's Health Study has found that over any three year period women who engaged in moderate exercise less than 420 minutes a week (or 60 minutes a day) were significantly more likely to gain five pounds while eating their usual diet. However, this worked only for women who had a body mass index lower than 25. Heavier women may need to restrict the calories they eat in addition to exercising regularly, if they want to control their weight.

PositiveTip: Make exercise a priority each day. The benefits are significant.

The genetics of late-life dementia, although complex, are getting a lot of attention these days. The gene for chlolesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) codes for a specific amino acid within the human genome. A majority of those who live beyond 100 have valine at codon 405 and lower cardiovascular risk. A prospective study of 523 individuals over 70 has revealed this polymorphism of valine to isoleucine may also protect from dementia. Much more work remains to be accomplished before we can be certain there is a Methuselah genotype.

The Diabetes Prevention Program reported in 2002 that compared with placebo, an intensive lifestyle intervention program or oral medications in 3200 individuals with impaired glucose metabolism lowered the incidence of diabetes during the three years of the study by 58% and 31%, respectively. Most of these participants were then enrolled in seven additional years of follow-up where they received lifestyle-reinforcement sessions quarterly, and those randomized to lifestyle had eight additional lifestyle intervention sessions each year.

As promised in the last post, I will share with you more of my impressions of the 2009 American Institute for Cancer Research's Conference on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer in Washington, DC a couple of weeks ago:

Aging:

My head is spinning this evening! Not because I am dizzy, but because all day I have been attending the 2009 American Institute for Cancer Research's Conference on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer in Washington, DC. It is really amazing how much is known about risk factors, genetics, treatment, and prevention of this dread disease! Here are a few "headlines" from my notes of today.

Colorectal Cancer:

Appropriate lifestyle intervention continues to demonstrate its superior benefits in preventing some diseases like diabetes. The ten-year follow-up of the randomized  Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial has demonstrated this. After the first 3 years a 58% reduction in diabetes incidence was observed among those receiving intensive lifestyle intervention, and a 31% reduction in those receiving medication (metformin), relative to the placebo.

How healthy is your neighborhood? Drexel University researchers rated neighborhoods by the ease of nearby walking, access to fresh produce, availability of exercise facilities and even how often the neighbors are seen walking--plus more factors. Following five-years of followup they found a significant 38% reduction of diabetes among those who lived in the healthiest neighborhoods compared to the least-healthy areas. This was equivalent to dropping 5 points on the BMI (Body Max Index) scale! Does this prove cause and effect? Maybe healthy people pick healthy neighborhoods.