Want to get fit and stay fit? Arlington, Va., may be the city for you: For the fifth year in a row, it has been named the fittest city in America. Meanwhile, the title of the least fit city goes to Oklahoma City, according to the annual fitness rankings of America’s 100 largest cities from… read on > read on >
All Do It Herself:
Think You’re at High Risk of Prostate Cancer? Healthy Living Can Slash Odds for Lethal Disease
Genes can put some men at heightened risk of prostate cancer, but a new study suggests they can undo much of that potential harm with a healthy lifestyle. Researchers found that among men at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer, those who maintained a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to die of the disease… read on > read on >
Gardening Can Blossom Into Better Mental Health
If you are feeling stressed and depressed, new research suggests that grabbing a trowel and getting your hands dirty may improve your mood. Researchers found that tending to plants can reap mental health benefits, even for first-time gardeners. The activity was linked to decreased stress, anxiety and depression in healthy women who attended twice-weekly gardening… read on > read on >
Cycle Safe: Find the Right Bike Helmet for Your Child
Wearing a bike helmet can save the life of your young child or teenager, but it needs to fit well to really do its job. A well-fitting bike helmet significantly reduces the odds of serious head injury or death due to a bicycle, scooter or skateboard accident, experts say. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers some… read on > read on >
Only 7% of American Adults in Good Cardiometabolic Health
Less than 7% of U.S. adults are in good cardiometabolic shape, and new research warns the trend is only getting worse. Cardiometabolic health is an umbrella term that includes blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol, weight and/or the presence of heart disease. “While we know that cardiometabolic health among Americans is a significant problem, we… read on > read on >
Just 1 in 4 Patients Get Rehab After Heart Attack, Cardiac Surgery
Medically supervised exercise programs can do heart patients a lot of good, but few people of color take part in them — regardless of income, new research finds. The study, of more than 100,000 U.S. patients, found that while all were eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, only about one-quarter actually attended. Enrollment was particularly low among… read on > read on >
Pandemic Lockdowns, Closures Tough on People With Disabilities
When the early days of the pandemic prompted social distancing measures and gym closures, people with certain disabilities had a much harder time getting exercise and their mental health suffered, new research shows. Researchers studying those impacts surveyed more than 950 people with diverse disabilities. They identified four categories of individuals within the disability community… read on > read on >
Can You Stand on One Leg for 10 Seconds? You Might Live Longer
It sounds easy, but standing on one leg for 10 seconds can be harder than you think. And your ability to do so — or not — may predict whether you are more likely to die within the next decade, a new study suggests. That’s why an international team of researchers says the 10-second test… read on > read on >
Pets Help Their Humans De-Stress, Stay Fit: Survey
While chronic stress is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke, most cat and dog owners say pets help them chill out and stay active. A new American Heart Association (AHA) survey of 1,000 pet owners found 95% relying on their animal companions for stress relief. About 7 in 10 said they’d rather… read on > read on >
Skin Tags? Moles? Products Promising to Treat Them Can Do Real Harm
It may seem tempting to remove a mole or skin tag you don’t like with a product that promises to make them disappear quickly. Don’t do it, experts say. Dermatologists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration both warn about the dangers of using unregulated products for do-it-yourself removal of moles, skin tags and another… read on > read on >