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Apr 04, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- EXERCISE, NUTRITION CAN ALTER LIFE
A study shows changes in diet and exercise can cut the risk for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other chronic illness in as little as six weeks. Steven Aldana, Brigham Young University professor of exercise science, says his study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, showed participants experienced significant reductions in body fat, cholesterol levels and blood pressure as they adopted a diet emphasizing unrefined "food-as-grown," like grains, legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables, and implemented a 30-minute-a-day cardiovascular exercise program.
GUARD CHILDREN'S EYES FROM SUN
As the weather warms and children head outdoors, optometrists urge parents to protect their youngsters' eyes from sun exposure. Leo Semmes of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, says damaging effects to the eyes from exposure to sunlight is cumulative, and most of us reach up to 50 percent exposure by age 18. By protecting eyes with sunglasses and brimmed hats, we can block much of the damaging UV rays. Protective gear should be put on children "as young as you can keep them on 'em," Semmes says. "I have friends who send me pictures of their infants wearing sunglasses and hats."
EASY DOES IT IN GIVING HEALTHY ADVICE
Getting someone to lose weight, exercise or make other healthy lifestyle changes takes special care, psychologists say. Joshua Klapow of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, co-author of "Stop Telling Me What, Tell Me How: The Simple Answer to Better Health," says: "To make changes, people need information, motivation and knowledge of how to change. Don't assume someone lacks motivation. Start by asking questions. Do they know about the need to exercise? If not, direct them to the proper resources for information." Klapow advises: be supportive, help them establish a realistic plan for starting a new habit, encourage them to write down each time they perform the habit, and help them plan for possible relapses.
EXPANDED WAIST, EXPANDED HEART DISEASE RISK
Research suggests the link between excess abdominal fat and heart disease may be inflammatory proteins produced by the fat. Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center say obesity, which affects nearly one-third of U.S. adults, is closely linked with heart disease. Tongjian You, instructor in geriatric medicine, says the study of 20 post-menopausal, overweight or obese women ages 50 to 70 with waists larger than 35 inches pointed to a link between fat-produced inflammatory proteins and heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and how the body responds to insulin. "It's possible that modifying the inflammatory proteins through medication could also lower the risk of heart disease," says senior researcher Barbara Nicklas, associate professor of internal medicine.
(Editors: For more information about EXERCISE, contact: Renee Thomas at 801-368-7793 or info@maplemountainpress.com. For SUN, Tracy Bischoff at 205-934-8935 or tracy@uab.edu. For EASY, Gail Short at 205-934-8931 or gshort@uab.edu. For HEART, Karen Richardson at 336-716-4453 or krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu.)
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
