Healthier School Meals
The IOM recommends new requirements for school meal programs.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
November 18, 2009
Covering:
Stallings VA et al for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program., Institute of Medicine of the National Academies 2009 Oct 20
More on Adverse Effects of Antipsychotics on Children
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An observational study details metabolic changes after 12 weeks of treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
By Barbara Geller, MD
November 9, 2009
Covering:
Correll CU et al., JAMA 2009 Oct 28; 302:1765
Varley CK and McClellan J., JAMA 2009 Oct 28; 302:1811
Weigh Less at 18 and Midlife, Live Better After 70
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who were overweight or obese at age 18 or who gained weight into midlife were less likely to be healthy after age 70.
We Need to Put Vitamin D Back in Children and Adolescents
Many U.S. children and adolescents have low vitamin D levels, and such levels are associated with adverse physiologic processes.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
November 4, 2009
Covering:
Kumar J et al., Pediatrics 2009 Sep; 124:e362
Reis JP et al., Pediatrics 2009 Sep; 124:e371
Ashraf A et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009 Sep; 94:3200
Common Mental Disorder Elevates Risk for Subsequent Obesity
General Medicine Summary and Comment
However, obesity is not associated with elevated risk for later mental disorder.
Fewer Falls with Vitamin D
Women's Health Summary and Comment
High-dose vitamin D lowered risk for falls in older individuals.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 29, 2009
Covering:
Bischoff-Ferrari HA et al., BMJ 2009 Oct 1; 339:b3692
Screen for Screen Time
In a large national sample of children, television and computer use were associated with increased risk for obesity.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
October 28, 2009
Covering:
Russ SA et al., Acad Pediatr 2009 Sep/Oct; 9:300
Sargent JD., Acad Pediatr 2009 Sep/Oct; 9:289
Family-Based Treatment of Obese Children
Long-term weight loss was associated with higher attendance at intervention sessions.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 28, 2009
Covering:
Kalarchian MA et al., Pediatrics 2009 Oct; 124:1060
Midlife Overweight and Obesity Predict Lower Chance for Healthy Survival After Age 70
General Medicine Summary and Comment
For every unit of BMI >25 kg/m2 at midlife, odds for disease-free survival at age 70 decreased by 12%.
Effect of Weight Loss on Obstructive Sleep Apnea in People with Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Losing 25 lbs resulted in significantly fewer OSA events in obese patients.
Small Thigh Circumference Is Associated with Cardiovascular Morbidity and Premature Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Small thighs might be an easily identifiable marker for cardiovascular risk.
Gastric Bypass vs. Banding — A Randomized Trial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Bypass led to greater weight loss but was associated with more complications.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 20, 2009
Covering:
Nguyen NT et al., Ann Surg 2009 Oct; 250:631
Bigger Waist Means Higher Asthma Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Women with waist measurements >88 cm had higher risk for asthma than women in the same BMI categories but with smaller waist measurements.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
September 24, 2009
Covering:
Von Behren J et al., Thorax 2009 Aug 25
Treating Resistant Hypertension: Cut Out the Salt
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small randomized crossover study, a low-salt diet had dramatic effects on blood pressure.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
September 23, 2009
Covering:
Pimenta E et al., Hypertension 2009 Sep; 54:475
Mediterranean Diet Can Lower Need for Antihyperglycemic Medication in Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Four years after diabetes diagnosis, only 44% of patients on that diet required medication to reduce HbA1c levels.
Chocolate Is Associated with Lower Mortality Following First MI
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Amount of chocolate consumption was related inversely to cardiac-related mortality during an 8-year follow-up
DMPA and Weight Gain
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Initial excessive weight gain with DMPA use predicted continued excessive gain.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
September 3, 2009
Covering:
Le Y-CL et al., Obstet Gynecol 2009 Aug; 114:279
Are Organic Foods More Nutritious?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Conventionally and organically produced foods have similar nutritional value.
Vitamin D Levels and Bone Loss in Older Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In men older than 75, 25(OH)D levels lower than 20 ng/mL were associated with accelerated bone loss.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 13, 2009
Covering:
Ensrud KE et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009 Aug; 94:2773
Active Commuting and Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Walking or biking to work is associated with some favorable risk markers, but whether these practices confer a benefit is unclear.
Ghrelin: It's Not Just for Food; Let's Drink to That
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In an animal study, central ghrelin signaling activates the mesolimbic reward system for alcohol.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
August 3, 2009
Covering:
Jerlhag E et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Jul 7; 106:11318
Perioperative Complications with Bariatric Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients need to balance benefits and risks associated with each type of weight-loss surgery.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 30, 2009
Covering:
Flum DR et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 30; 361:445
Refining the Indications for ERCP in Biliary Pancreatitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among patients with severe pancreatitis, only those with cholestasis benefited from early ERCP.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 30, 2009
Covering:
van Santvoort HC et al., Ann Surg 2009 Jul; 250:68
To Attenuate Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Start with Lifestyle
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Healthy lifestyles were associated with lower risk for heart failure in men and hypertension in women; obesity was the strongest risk factor for hypertension.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 30, 2009
Covering:
Djoussé L et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:394
Forman JP et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:401
Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children
Mild sleep-disordered breathing is common among elementary school children.
