March 29, 2024

More Bad News for the “Southern-style” Diet

Posted on August 31, 2015 by in NewsUCanUse

Kitchen No-Confidence

Young people lack confidence and skills in the kitchen, with many considering a microwaving to be cooking, says a study Sept2015KitchenUtensilspublished in the Journal of Public Health. Research was conducted by Lancaster, Newcastle and Durham Universities, UK.

Researchers questioned young people16-20 to find out their attitudes to food and how this can lead to obesity. Most were living at home and attending school or college. Some believed they could not cook or expressed a lack of confidence with one young woman saying:

“I can’t cook. I just can’t be bothered…I burn toast.”

Their parents mostly bought the food and the teenagers heated it up, with examples of food they cooked including pizza, chips, ready meals and cups of tea.

“Cooking tended to be described as ‘jar’ based,” said researchers.

Fixed meal times were not the norm, and food eaten at home did not always mean it was prepared at home, with the teenagers often ordering take-out. Lancaster University via Science Daily, www.sciencedaily.com (See feature on cooking with grandkids, page 18.)

Out-patient Surgery Riskier for SeniorsSept2015HospOutPatient

Patients 65 and older who have out-patient surgery are 54% more likely than younger patients to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, regardless of their health before surgery, reports a new, large national Northwestern Medicine study. The likely cause, based on previous research, is difficulty understanding medication dosing and discharge instructions, as well as cognitive impairment among older patients. The problem is likely to worsen as economic pressures to reduce health care costs lead to even more complex surgeries in an ambulatory setting, the authors said.

The study found age is an independent risk factor for out-patient surgical complications, which was not previously known. According to the study, to prevent costly readmissions, seniors need clearer, more understandable discharge instructions and to be evaluated for their ability to care for themselves after surgery.  The study was published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Northwestern University, via Science Daily. www.sciencedaily.com.

Group Walking BeneficialSept2015PeopleWalking

Do you have a hard time adhering to a daily exercise routine? Consider joining an outdoor walking group. You’ll be less likely to quit and may see a dramatic improvement in your overall health, including cognitive wellbeing, says a British review.

Researchers analyzed 42 studies involving more than 1,800 people (average age: 58). They found those who walked outdoors in groups significantly improved their blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol, body fat and weight. Walkers also saw improvements in lung power, overall physical function and mental health. Group walking particularly benefited people with medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, dementia and mental health issues.

The distance, intensity and number of walks varied among studies, and most fell short of international activity guidelines. But the researchers point out that even people who walked the shortest distances saw wide-ranging benefits. And while the merits of regular walking have been long known, this review highlights the benefits of group-walking dynamics. Participating in an outdoor walking group helps instill camaraderie and incentive among members, providing a social outlet and making them less likely to drop out. — Scientific American Health After 50, www.healthafter50.com

Southern-style Eating Bad For Your HeartSept2015FriedChickenLeg

Previous research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham has shown regularly consuming the “Southern-style” diet of fried foods, processed meats, foods high in fat and sugar-sweetened beverages, can lead to an increased risk of stroke and an increased risk of death for chronic kidney disease patients. The latest research, published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal, finds regularly consuming the “Southern-style” diet could raise your risk of heart disease — including heart attack and heart disease-related death.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the food you eat, along with the amount, is a risk factor.

The research team derived five dietary patterns using data from 17,418 participants. One pattern was the “Southern-style.”

“People who most often ate foods conforming to the Southern-style dietary pattern had a 56 percent higher risk of heart disease compared to those who ate it less frequently,” said study lead author James M. Shikany, Dr.P.H., professor in the Division of Preventive Medicine. Shikany says no other dietary pattern was associated with heart disease risk.

“For anyone eating a lot of the main components of the Southern dietary pattern, I’d recommend they scale back on their consumption,” Shikany said. — University of Alabama at Birmingham, via Science Daily, www.sciencedaily.com

Hold the Salt, Hold the Headache?Sept2015SaltShaker

Can cutting back on salt curb headaches? Perhaps, says a recent study published online in BMJ Open (formerly British Medical Journal).

Researchers analyzed medical data in a large clinical trial comparing the effects of two dietary patterns on hypertension (high blood pressure). Participants were randomly assigned to either the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fat) or a standard American diet. Sodium intake in both groups ranged from low (1,150 mg a day) to high (3,450 mg a day).

Participants on low-sodium diets (either DASH or standard) reported about one-third fewer headaches than those on medium-to high-sodium diets. Although evidence has already tied hypertension to frequent headaches, the researchers concluded that reducing salt intake may be independently associated with headache frequency. The high-sodium intake in the study reflects the average consumption among Americans.

Researchers couldn’t establish a direct link between sodium and headaches, but suggest reducing salt intake may help people avoid some headaches, especially non-vascular or tension-type headaches. Past studies have shown that foods and beverages like chocolate, coffee, cheese and alcohol appear to trigger vascular, or migraine and cluster, headaches. — Health After 50, www.healthafter50.com

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