November 2, 2004 [Volume 5, Issue 23]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
- Playing a "Weighting" Game With Children's Blood Pressure
- The Family That Eats Together, Stays Together
- Exercising in Spurts May be Better Than Continuous Exercise
Playing a "Weighting" Game With Children's Blood Pressure
High blood pressure has been linked to a number of cardiovascular problems. Studies have shown that children who suffer from high blood pressure are more likely to have high blood pressure as adults, and that increased blood pressure levels may be related to an increase in body mass index (BMI). Few of these studies, however, have examined the affects of high blood pressure in children and teenagers.
To examine possible changes in blood pressure levels in children and adolescents, researchers
compared data from two large national studies: one from 1988 to 1994; the other from 1999 to
2000. After adjusting for age, race and sex, the average child's systolic blood pressure in
1999-2000 was 1.4 mmHg higher, and the diastolic blood pressure was 3.3 mmHg higher, compared with children from 1988-1994. The authors of the study also noted a strong link between systolic blood pressure and increased BMI, and theorized that the increase in blood pressure could partly be the result of an increased number of children in the 1999-2000 study being overweight or
obese.
As the saying goes, it's never too late to change, but as the results of this study show, it's never too early to change. Have your child's blood pressure checked regularly, and talk with your doctor of chiropractic about dietary and lifestyle changes for your children that will pay off with years of healthy benefits in the future.
To read summaries of previous studies on pediatric health, go to www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics.
Reference: Muntner P, He J, Cutler JA, et al. Trends in blood pressure among children and adolescents. Journal of the American Medical Association, May 5, 2004;291(17):2107-13.
The Family That Eats Together, Stays Together
In today's fast-paced society, the idea of the family sitting down to eat together may seem almost unnatural; according to recent research, however, it may be the healthy thing to do. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows that while some teenagers rarely sit down with their families for dinner, eating together can be an important factor in a teenager's well-being, with benefits that go far beyond the dinner table.
More than 4,700 teenage boys and girls were surveyed and asked how often they ate meals with their families, and how close they felt to their parents. The researchers found that the more often teens ate meals with the family, the less likely they were to use drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Eating frequent family meals was also associated with fewer mental health problems, lower rates of depression and suicidal thoughts, and higher self-esteem. Teens who ate with their families were also more likely to do well in school.
Most people take the importance of a family meal for granted, but as this study shows, the family meal provides children with more than just a comfortable routine; it also offers them the opportunity to learn about manners, nutrition and good eating habits - and gives them an avenue to talk to, and connect with, their parents. Take the time to eat with your child at least once or twice a week - you'll both feel good about it.
For more on healthy living, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/.
References: Eisenberg ME, Olson RE, Neumark-Sztainer D, et al. Correlations between family meals and psychosocial well-being among adolescents. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine August 004;158(8):792-796.
Exercising in Spurts May be Better Than Continuous Exercise
Regular exercise is crucial if you're looking to maintain health and fitness levels, and prevent
conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Typically, practitioners recommend that people
exercise continuously and vigorously for 20 to 60 minutes per day. Unfortunately, you probably
realized a long time ago that it's difficult to schedule a set block of time to complete a full
workout. Well, here's some good news: New research suggests that you can achieve the same
benefits by exercising in short 10-minute bursts of activity as if you had exercised for one
continuous workout.
In the study, 18 inactive young men and women were asked to perform three types of protocols on different days: eating a high-fat meal, without exercising; eating a high-fat meal following a 30-minute session of continuous exercise; and eating a high-fat meal following a session of intermittent exercise (three 10-minute exercise sessions separated by 20-minute rest periods). Triglyceride levels (the chemical form in which most fats exist in the body) were measured just before eating the high-fat meal and at two-hour intervals afterward. Results indicated that peak triglyceride levels were reduced by 27 percent in the people who engaged in intermittent exercise; those who participated in continuous exercise reduced their triglyceride levels by only 15 percent.
Whether you choose to exercise continuously or intermittently, the overriding message is: get out and exercise! Along with eating a sensible, well-balanced diet, it's one of the best things you can do to get healthy and remove fats from your bloodstream. Talk with your doctor of chiropractic about designing an exercise program that fits your work schedule and lifestyle.
For more information on the benefits of exercise, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/sports/exercise/index.html.
Reference: Altena TS, Michaelson J, Ball SD, et al. Single sessions of intermittent and continuous exercise and postprandial lipemia. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise August 2004;36(8):1364-1371.
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