Sound sleep insures against obesity among kids

LONDON – Sound sleep very early in life is the best insurance against obesity, a research has found.

Babies, toddlers and pre-school children sleeping less than 10 hours a night are more likely to be overweight as they age.
Experts believe that lack of sleep causes one to feel hunger and crave calorie-rich snacks during the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sound sleep insures against obesity among kids.

No exercise, long work hours double heart failure risk

LONDON – Sedentary men who work beyond 45 hours a week double their risk of dying from heart failure. However, men who keep fit or exercise and work long hours face no increased risk of dying from cardiac conditions.

The study examined data for 5,000 men — aged between 40 and 59 years from 14 …. Read the original article  : No exercise, long work hours double heart failure risk.

Oz school kids told ‘to stand up in class’ to beat obesity epidemic

MELBOURNE – Victorian schools are introducing some radical measures to beat childhood obesity.

More activity breaks in between classes is one idea.

“We are modifying academic lessons to get them moving more. Sitting all day long isn’t normal for kids,” the Herald … Original article on : Oz school kids told ‘to stand up in class’ to beat obesity epidemic.

Compounds in non-stick cookware linked to elevated cholesterol in kids, teens

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that children and teens with higher blood levels of chemicals used in the production of non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics are prone to elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Humans are exposed to the man-made compounds known as perfluoroalkyl acids-including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS)-through drinking water, dust, …. Source  : Compounds in non-stick cookware linked to elevated cholesterol in kids, teens.

Man-made kidney could do away with dialysis, donor organs

LONDON – An artificial kidney implant that would work as well as a natural organ is in the offing. The first prototype of the device just unveiled by the US researchers could do away with the need for dialysis or donor organs.

The device comprises thousands of microscopic filters to remove toxins from the blood …. Source  : Man-made kidney could do away with dialysis, donor organs.

Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene in man returning from India

Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene

TOKYO – Japan has confirmed the nation’s first case of a new gene in bacteria that allows the microorganisms to become drug-resistant superbugs, detected in a man who had medical treatment in India, a health ministry official said Tuesday.
The gene, known as NDM-1, was found in a …. Original source  : Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene in man returning from India.

Sunlight filtering through glass also can cause wrinkles

LONDON – Avoiding sunscreen and sun bathing are known to cause wrinkles. But there’s some disquieting news for those who thought their skin was safe while driving, or sitting in a conservatory.

The damage caused by sunlight filtering through glass can be so startling that the exposed side of the face can end up looking … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sunlight filtering through glass also can cause wrinkles.

Fearing harm to others, fat man laid off

LONDON – A man who weighs nearly 200 kg has been laid off by a British firm fearing he may fall off while working and crush co-workers.

Barry Fowers, a diabetic who was prone to blackouts, used to climb on platforms to make power equipment.
The Sun Tuesday reported that the 51-year-old was considered a …. Original source  : Fearing harm to others, fat man laid off.

Short nighttime sleep duration among infants, young kids ‘ups obesity risk’

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that insufficient amounts of nighttime sleep among infants and preschool-aged children may be a significant risk factor for developing childhood obesity.

Additionally, napping does not appear to be an adequate substitute for nighttime sleep in terms of preventing obesity.

Using existing national, longitudinal and panel survey data collected for …. Read the original article  : Short nighttime sleep duration among infants, young kids ‘ups obesity risk’.

Depressed dads: 21 percent fathers get the blues

LONDON – Fathers are not much behind mothers when it comes to getting the blues, especially after a baby’s birth. By the time their first child is 12, some 21 percent of dads will have suffered at least one bout of depression, says a new study.

Thedepressioniscausedbytheextrapressuresafterchildbirth,thankstolossofsleepandheavierresponsibilities,saidresearchersledbytheMedicalResearchCouncil’s(MRC)ProfessorIrwinNazareth,reportstheDailyMail.
Researchersexaminednearly87,000familiestreatedfordepressionbetween1993and2007orprescribedanti-depressants.
Withinayearofhavingtheirfirstchild,threepercentoffatherswerefoundtohavesufferedfromdepression.Thisroseto10percentbythetimetheirfirstchildwasfour,16percentbyeightand21percentby12.
Meanwhile,some13percentofwomensufferedfromdepressionbythetimetheirfirstchildwasayearold-afigurethatreached24percentbyfour,33percentbyeightand39percentbythetimetheirfirstchildwas12,thestudyfound.
SteveField,leaderoftheBritish44,000familydoctors,said:”Thisshouldraiseawarenessofthestressesandpotentialproblemsaheadfordadsanddads-to-be.”
–Indo-AsianNewsService
…. Read the original article  : Depressed dads: 21 percent fathers get the blues.