Staying Healthy on a Cruise

For many people, a cruise is an ideal way to relax and see the world. You are surrounded by the gorgeous blue of the ocean, get waited on hand and foot, have activities and events planned for you, and are provided with a seemingly limitless supply of food and drinks—all while having the opportunity to visit multiple countries and destinations.

Good Sleepers Have Better Quality of Life and Less Depression

Getting six to nine hours of sleep per night is associated with higher ratings for quality of life and lower ratings for depression, suggests a research abstract presented at Sleep 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS).

FDA Unveils Final Cigarette Warning Labels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unveiled the nine graphic health warnings required to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement. This bold measure will help prevent children from smoking, encourage adults who do to quit, and ensure every American understands the dangers of smoking.

Virtual Workout Partners Spur Better Results, Study Finds

Can't find anyone to exercise with? Don't despair: New research from Michigan State University reveals working out with a virtual partner improves motivation during exercise.

Food Pyramid Replaced by 'MyPlate' Icon Emphasizing Fruit, Vegetable, Grains, Protein and Dairy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled the federal government's new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. MyPlate is a new generation icon with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times and to seek more information to help them do that by going to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. The new MyPlate icon emphasizes the fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups.

Coffee May Reduce Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer in Men

Men who regularly drink coffee appear to have a lower risk of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer, according to a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers. What's more, the lower risk was evident among men who drank either regular or decaffeinated coffee.

Gambling Problem Exposed as Access Grows

A new paper by University of Calgary psychologist Dr. David Hodgins says the proliferation of gambling opportunities around the world, particularly online, is increasing the visibility of gambling disorders and giving access to people who previously had no exposure to gambling opportunities.

One in Seven Strokes Occurs During Sleep, Many Go Without Clot-Busting Treatment

Approximately 14 percent of all strokes occur during sleep, preventing many from getting clot-busting treatment, according to a study published in the print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Half of All States Have Smoke-Free Worksites, Restaurants and Bars

If progress of past 10 years continue all states could be covered by 2020
By 2020 or sooner, the entire nation could have laws banning smoking in all indoor areas of private sector worksites, restaurants and bars, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found. These places are major sources of secondhand smoke exposure.

Obese Workers Cost Workplace More Than Insurance, Absenteeism, According to New Study

Even if you drink diet soda -- instead of the sugar variety -- you could still have a much higher risk of vascular events compared to those who don't drink soda, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2011.

Diet Soda May Raise Odds of Vascular Events; Salt Linked to Stroke Risk

Even if you drink diet soda -- instead of the sugar variety -- you could still have a much higher risk of vascular events compared to those who don't drink soda, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2011.

Sleepy Connected Americans

The 2011 Sleep in America poll released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) finds pervasive use of communications technology in the hour before bed. It also finds that a significant number of Americans aren't getting the sleep they say they need and are searching for ways to cope.

Number of Americans with Diabetes Rises to Nearly 26 Million

More than a third of adults estimated to have prediabetes
Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, an estimated 79 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes raises a person's risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Beyond Tender Loving Care: 'TLCs' Promise Health and Happiness

Lifestyle changes -- such as getting more exercise, time in nature, or helping others -- can be as effective as drugs or counseling to treat an array of mental illnesses, according to a new paper published by the American Psychological Association.

Prevalence of Heavy Smokers in US Decreases

From 1965 to 2007, the population prevalence of persons who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day declined significantly, and there was also a decrease in the prevalence of smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day, with these declines greater in California than in the rest of the U.S., according to a study in the March 16 issue of JAMA.

To Increase Physical Activity, Focus on How, Not Why

Most people know that exercise is important to maintain and improve health; however, sedentary lifestyles and obesity rates are at all-time highs and have become major national issues. In a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that healthy adults who received interventions focused on behavior-changing strategies significantly increased their physical activity levels. Conversely, interventions based on cognitive approaches, which try to change knowledge and attitudes, did not improve physical activity.

Workers Most Invested in Their Jobs Have Highest Stress Levels

A workplace's key employees may be at the greatest risk of experiencing high levels of work stress, according to a new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Peer Support Offers Promise for Reducing Depression Symptoms

Peer support offers promise as an effective, low-cost tool for fighting depression, a new study by the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and University of Michigan Health System finds.

Non-Alcoholic Energy Drinks May Pose 'High' Health Risks, Experts Argue

Highly-caffeinated energy drinks -- even those containing no alcohol -- may pose a significant threat to individuals and public health, say researchers at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Lowering Blood Pressure in Middle-Aged Women Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Large numbers of middle-aged women worldwide could reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart attack and heart failure) and its complications by lowering their blood pressure, researchers report in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Be Prepared: Staying Safe and Healthy in Winter Weather

Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy. Prepare your home and cars. Keep emergency kits stocked. Be ready for power outages. Wear appropriate clothing. Check on children, the elderly and pets.

US Fails to Meet Key Women's Health Goals

The United States has failed to meet most goals for women's health -- largely federal objectives drawn from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 agenda -- according to a report released on the status of women's health by the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

Chronic Job Stress Seen Leading To Weight Gain/Obesity

Sixty-eight percent of adults are overweight or obese in the United States, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Survey Predicts Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2011

This year’s attention to nationwide health care reform has cemented the health and fitness industry’s emphasis on the need for proper accreditation and certification, according to an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) survey of fitness trends published in the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. The growing demand for educated and experienced fitness professionals claimed the top spot in the survey for the fourth consecutive year.

Only 5% of Americans Engage in Vigorous Physical Activity on Any Given Day

On any given day, most U.S. adults report performing predominantly sedentary and light activities, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Overall only 5.07% report any vigorous intensity activity. The most frequently reported moderate activity was food and drink preparation.

HHS Announces New Tobacco Strategy and Proposed New Warnings and Graphics for Cigarette Packs and Advertisements

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control strategy that includes proposed new bolder health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. Once final, these health warnings on cigarettes and in cigarette advertisements will be the most significant change in more than 25 years. These actions are part of a broader strategy that will help tobacco users quit and prevent children from starting.

Physical Fitness Curbs Frequency and Severity of Colds, Study Finds

People who are physically fit and active have fewer and milder colds, indicates research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Follow-Ups Prove Powerful Tool for Treating Depression in Primary Care

In the 15 minutes a primary care doctor typically has with a patient, she's expected to diagnose the current ailment, help manage ongoing health issues and provide preventive care. In this setting, confronting all but the most obvious and immediate mental health needs of patients is an ongoing challenge.

Get Your Flu Vaccine: Stay Healthy This Flu Season!

In the United States between 5% and 20% of the population gets the flu each flu season. It's estimated that more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from flu-related complications on average each season, including 20,000 children younger than 5 years old. CDC estimates that flu-associated deaths in the U.S. ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people between 1976 and 2006.

Gum Disease Found to Be Significant Public Health Concern

The prevalence of periodontal disease in the United States may be significantly higher than originally estimated. Research published in the Journal of Dental Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) suggests that the prevalence of periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. The implication is that more American adults may suffer from moderate to severe gum disease than previously thought.

Although Most People Getting Screened for Two of the Nation's Deadliest Cancers, Thousands of People Died Last Year Because They Weren't Screened for Colon or Breast Cancer

More adults in the United States have been getting recommended breast and colorectal cancer screenings, but millions of people still have not had recommended screening, according to data released in the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monthly report, CDC Vital Signs.

Fast Food Chains Have Significantly Decreased Trans Fats in Cooking Oils, Study Finds

Five major fast food chains have significantly decreased trans fats in the oils they use to cook food, according to new research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Drinking Fewer Sugar-Sweetened Beverages May Lower Blood Pressure

Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages -- a leading source of added sugar in the U.S. diet -- may lower blood pressure, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. 

Monitoring Cholesterol Increases Life Expectancy, 25-Year Study Finds

A University of Minnesota study definitively shows that those with decreased LDL cholesterol levels can count on an increased life expectancy.

Attitude Toward Everyday Activity Important for Healthy Lifestyle

Unintentional physical activity may be influenced by non-conscious attitudes, noted David Conroy, associate professor of kinesiology and human development and family studies. The challenge of encouraging more activity can be met by understanding the motivation behind both deliberate exercise and inherent behaviors.

Unhealthy Foods Become Less Popular With Increasing Costs

Adults tend to eat less pizza and drink less soda as the price of these items increases, and their body weight and overall calorie intake also appear to decrease, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Men and Women Respond Differently to Stress

Age and gender play a major role in how people respond to stress, according to a new study on 20-to-64-year-olds. Published in the journal Psychophysiology, the investigation was led by scientists from the Université de Montréal and the Montreal Heart Institute in collaboration withcolleagues from the Université du Québec à Montréal and McGill University.

Indoor Tanning May Be an Addictive Behavior

Individuals who have used indoor tanning facilities may meet criteria for addiction, and may also be more prone to anxiety symptoms and substance use, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology.

Walking Associated With Lower Stroke Risk in Women

Women who walked two or more hours a week or who usually walked at a brisk pace (3 miles per hour or faster) had a significantly lower risk of stroke than women who didn't walk, according to a large, long-term study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Bacon or Bagels? Higher Fat at Breakfast May Be Healthier Than You Think

The age-old maxim "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper" may in fact be the best advice to follow to prevent metabolic syndrome, according to a new University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) study.

High-Intensity Interval Training Is Time-Efficient and Effective, Study Suggests

The usual excuse of "lack of time" for not doing enough exercise is blown away by new research published in The Journal of Physiology.

Can Mobile Phones Help People 'EatWell?'

Most people know the rules of healthy eating, but most of us might eat a little healthier if we were reminded. Now a researcher at Georgia Tech is testing using a mobile phone to help community members steer themselves away from that chocolate cake and toward the fruits and veggies.

Obesity Associated With Depression and Vice Versa

Obesity appears to be associated with an increased risk of depression, and depression also appears associated with an increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

What You Eat After Exercise Matters

Many of the health benefits of aerobic exercise are due to the most recent exercise session (rather than weeks, months and even years of exercise training), and the nature of these benefits can be greatly affected by the food we eat afterwards, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Most Adults Misunderstand Standard Warnings on Prescriptions

Replacing confusing language and icons on standard warnings labels for prescription medicine and listing only the most important warnings could make a big difference in how well patients understand the instructions that are critical to their health, according to a new study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Excessive Internet Use Is Linked to Depression

People who spend a lot of time browsing the Internet are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind in the West by University of Leeds psychologists.

Research Yields Fitness Motivation Tips for a Healthy New Year

As the weather chills and the economy starts getting back into shape, many wannabe exercisers hope to invest in themselves by becoming healthier in 2010.

Global Tobacco Report Outlines 21 Challenges for 21st Century

A new American Cancer Society report outlines 21 challenges and needs for global tobaccocontrol, covering the wide range of issues to be addressed and expertise needed to reduce the rising tide of tobacco use worldwide, particularly in the low- and middle-income nations that are the target of the multinational tobacco industry.

Can Playing Active Video Games Equal Moderate Intensity Exercise?

Active Wii sports™ video games and some Wii fit™ activities may increase adults' energy expenditure as much as moderately intense exercise, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009.