There’s another way to hear our broadcast every day
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-this-morning-podcast-download-how-to-listen/
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Can Eating Fish Make Kids Smarter?
Kids who ate fish at least once a week had intelligence quotients, or IQs, that were nearly 5 points higher than the IQs for kids who ate less fish or none at all, a study found.
From: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20171221/can-eating-fish-make-kids-smarter?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Guest Post: Chef Devin Alexander’s Christmas Healthy Holiday Secrets!
Chef Devin Alexander – before and after.
I’m all about making sure, “You Can Have It!” During the holidays, that’s particularly important. As someone who lost 70 pounds and reversed all my health concerns, I recommend the following:
Eat First: So often, people eat lunch and then don’t eat again until they arrive at an evening party…absolutely starved! Research has shown that when you do this, you consume even more calories. Be sure to eat a nutritious 200 to 300 calorie snack or meal, or a diabetes-friendly frozen, nutritional meal, before going to holiday parties! Though this sounds counter-intuitive, it will help you avoid grabbing the first fatty (or sugary) thing you see simply because you’re starved. Three to five of those tiny party faves can contain the same number of calories as an entire meal, and let’s face it—we all want eight to 10, or more!
Go Greek: Swap fat-free Greek yogurt in place of sour cream when making holiday dips! Unlike fat-free sour cream, it’s thick and rich, and tends to be preservative- and chemical-free. Greek yogurt provides protein and calcium while tasting just as good as sour cream. Plus, you’ll save 22 calories, three grams of fat and two grams of saturated fat per tablespoon!
Crust-Dos: Use mini fillo crusts instead of butter and graham crackers for making pie crusts. Not only do most brands contain little to no sugar, they help you manage your portions!
Pork It Up: When making your holiday stuffing, consider adding plenty of extra lean sausage (try chicken sausage!) to cut back on all the empty carbohydrates that tend to abound during the holidays.
Better Bling: Instead of adding red or green sugar or sprinkles to your holiday desserts that are already over-sugared, hunt down some edible glitter. You’ll get all the bling and color with virtually no fat, calories or added sugars, since they tend to be made from gelatin.
Get Fruit-Full: Add frozen grapes, blueberries or other fruit to your drinks to take the place of some of the liquid in the glass, helping you to drink less, and it looks pretty! You will “fill up” (best to stick to an ounce) without so much alcohol and so many empty calories. I love filling champagne flutes with frozen grapes, then pouring in the champagne. You’ll still look and feel social, but you won’t overload on the empty calories.
Beef Up: Make a filet mignon roast the centerpiece of your holiday dinner instead of prime rib for that special occasion. You’ll save 25 calories and 11.5 grams of fat per 4-ounce serving.
Super Scoping: When you arrive at a party, scope out ALL the food BEFORE you start eating. Choose items like chicken skewers, shrimp cocktail and veggies (easy on the dip!), and then leave room for a small portion of your favorite indulgence.
Dish It Out: When attending parties that aren’t professionally catered, consider taking a healthy, decadent dish, like Grilled Harissa Chicken Skewers, Shrimp Guac Apps or Salmon Cucumber Party Bites! It’ll be your backup if you show up to a “deep-fried” or super carb-heavy party. Plus, you’ll increase your chances of being invited back next year—hosts love when guests arrive with presents and offerings!
Cocoa-Loco!: If you’re a chocoholic like me, embrace it with cocoa powder this holiday season! Cocoa powder has only 10 calories per tablespoon and gives you two grams of fiber. Add it to a protein smoothie or some yogurt, or use it as the base of your hot chocolate. You’ll satisfy the chocolate craving before you find yourself dunking your head in the chocolate fountain or over-lurking around the fudge!
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2017/12/21/guest-post-chef-devin-alexanders-christmas-healthy-holiday-secrets/
To exercise more, get your game on
Does exercise sometimes feel like an annoying chore? Adding a little friendly competition and other “gamification” strategies just might help, according to a new study.
The six-month-long study included 94 families who tracked their daily step counts with a wearable device or a smartphone. Just over half of the participants were women, and their average age was 55. Half were randomly chosen for the gamification arm of the study, which was designed to encourage collaboration, accountability, and team spirit. These families received small prizes tied to achieving daily and weekly step goals. They boosted their daily walking distance by almost a mile — more than twice the gains achieved by people who weren’t part of the competition.
“Gamification helps motivate people by making the hard stuff in life more fun,” says Dr. Ichiro Kawachi, chair of the department of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Exercise sometimes feels like a duty, especially when your doctor lectures you about it. Psychologically, that’s not very inspiring, he says.
Harnessing team spirit
When you “gamify” health advice, the idea is to introduce elements of games into people’s daily routines. In this study, participants earned points by meeting daily physical activity goals, progressing through higher levels by keeping up that behavior, and ultimately winning prizes. But games are not just for single players. “Being on a team encourages cooperation, and people egg each other on. And when different teams compete against one another, that adds another layer of incentive. It’s like the difference between playing solitaire versus bridge,” Dr. Kawachi explains.
The study, published online Oct. 2, 2017, by JAMA Internal Medicine, relied on practices inspired by behavioral economics. People dislike losing even more than they like gaining, so the families were awarded 70 points every Monday, which they stood to lose if they did not meet their exercise goals. Every day, the family would keep or lose 10 points based on whether the group met their daily step goal. The added hitch: the step goal was based only on one randomly chosen family member, which helped to encourage everyone to try hard, notes Dr. Kawachi, who wrote an invited commentary published alongside the study.
Measurable gains
The gaming period of the study lasted three months, during which the gaming families boosted their activity levels by about 1,700 steps — more than twice the gains achieved by the nongaming control families. Over the next three months, everyone kept tracking his or her steps. The gamers lost some of their initial gains but still continued to outperform the nongamers.
Although these initial results are promising, experts are still in the early stages of understanding how to apply gamification effectively. Right now, there’s a gap: game app developers aren’t really focused on health, and health promotion experts aren’t thinking about games, says Dr. Kawachi. “I’d like to see health insurance plans collaborate with app developers to offer these types of things through their health promotion initiatives,” he says.
In the meantime, you can use the same principles to make your walking or exercise regimen more like a game. Invite your family, friends, or colleagues to play along, and make up your own goals and rewards.
Learn more about Harvard Health Publishing’s online course Starting to Exercise. This interactive program will help you create a safe, well-rounded exercise plan—one that fits your life and that you will be likely to stick with.
The post To exercise more, get your game on appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Julie Corliss https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/exercise-get-game-2017122112903
The Takeout: A CBS News original political podcast
“The Takeout” is a weekly podcast about politics, policy and pop culture hosted by CBS News Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett and CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/political-podcast-the-takeout/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/political-podcast-the-takeout/
Mayo Clinic Minute: Innovative research to fight kidney disease
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx3zi93NEWU
Answer these 5 questions to help make your New Year’s resolutions stick
It’s that time of the year again when we start thinking about the (in)famous New Year’s resolutions. Change can be a frustrating experience for many. So, I decided to investigate what may increase your chances of success. I would like to propose a framework that combines the science of behavior change with the idea that we are able to rewire our brains to improve our health, well-being, and overall quality of life, called neuroplasticity. So, grab a piece of paper to write down the answers to the questions below.
1. Why do you want to make the change?
Make sure you find your true motivation. Try to look beyond the need to change. Look at the real life benefits of the change. What makes you want to change? Do you want to be well so you can really enjoy that trip in the summer? Do you want to be able to keep up with your grandchildren? Or just because you want to look better? Try to go deep into your soul and emotions. Try to imagine how your life would be after you’ve made the change.
2. Is your goal concrete and measurable?
A goal should be specific, achievable, and measurable. For a lot of people, the goal is a number on the scale. However, you could consider running a 5k race as your goal, for example. It is important not to be too ambitious. A lot of people aim for a goal that may be too hard to achieve. Most long-term change happens slowly, so identify small changes that you can make successfully. Change is a process, not an event.
3. What is your plan?
The old saying holds true: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Be realistic about what you can do. Keep it simple and be precise. How much and how often would you like to practice your new habit? For example: I will replace ice cream with a piece of fruit after dinner three nights a week. I will listen to my Learn Spanish lessons twice a week for 30 minutes. I will practice deep breathing for one minute after I put the children to bed. Write these down on a calendar and put it on a wall at home or in your office. Another great idea is to download apps that help you track your progress.
4. Who can support you as you work toward change?
Write down with whom you intend to share your plan. Ask for their support. People who truly love you will help you on this journey. Post your goals on social media. This will show your commitment to change. Change is usually a team effort. Find a partner you can go to the grocery store with, cook with, or go for a walk with. This can be a spouse, friend, or neighbor. You can also take advantage of the virtual world — there are plenty of apps and online support groups available for free and through social media. Use the power of the community to learn about other people’s progress and share what is working for you.
5. How will you celebrate your victories?
Every time you take a step toward your goals, make sure you reflect on the experience for 10 to 20 seconds. Make it big and rich. Incorporate the feeling of accomplishment and be mindful of how rewarding it is and how great it feels to achieve your goal that day. Bring emotion and feelings to what you just did. For example: I feel healthy and nourished after eating more fruits and vegetables. I feel relaxed and calm after exercising. It will help you later in the day to recall how positive and important this experience was for you. Stay present with this good, positive feeling for 10 to 20 seconds a few times a day. Let it sink in and try to truly feel how gratifying it is.
This last item is sometimes forgotten, and sometimes it’s what you need to make the new activity really stick. Practice is fundamental, but practice alone does not equal learning. Walking for 15 minutes three times a week is important, but savoring the exercise as something that makes you feel stronger and healthier with less pain is the reason why you will continue to walk.
You are teaching your brain how to learn and get better at learning. You will start to shift from simple plans and goals to a habit, something that will be part of you for the long term.
This is a journey
Do not get angry with yourself if you fail. Setbacks are to be expected and are part of the learning process. Forgive yourself and reflect on what happened. Think through the barriers to achieving your goal and try again. January first is just a day in the calendar. You can reset your calendar every day for a fresh start. Go back to the beginning and revisit that first question to remind yourself of the rewards of making the change. Perhaps you need to rewrite your plan. Be patient. You have already planted the seed for success; it is all about changing your mindset now. For me, I am hoping to increase my physical flexibility and decrease my risk of injuries. Stretches will be part of my workout routine in 2018. Wish me luck.
I wish you happiness and success in 2018!
The post Answer these 5 questions to help make your New Year’s resolutions stick appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Marcelo Campos, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/answer-these-5-questions-to-help-make-your-new-years-resolutions-stick-2017122012940
Comments sought on report outlining risk analysis plan for electronic protected health information
Dental professionals can review and comment on an ADA-developed proposed tech-nical report that aims to assist covered dental practices in fulfilling their legally mandat-ed obligation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to conduct a security risk analysis of electronic protected information.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/december/comments-sought-on-report-outlining-risk-analysis-plan-for-electronic-protected-health-information
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/december/comments-sought-on-report-outlining-risk-analysis-plan-for-electronic-protected-health-information
America's biggest megachurches, ranked
Approximately 50 churches in the U.S. have a weekly attendance ranging from 10,000 to 47,000 people.
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/30-biggest-american-megachurches-ranked/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/30-biggest-american-megachurches-ranked/
Restaurant owner apologizes for Trump Jr. Instagram
Donald Trump Jr.'s Instagram photo of him cringing with a Barack Obama frosted cookie cake went viral
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-restaurant-owner-apologizes-for-trump-jr-s-instagram-post/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-restaurant-owner-apologizes-for-trump-jr-s-instagram-post/
Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips for a healthy heart in the new year
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRopSVdIygo
Racial and ethnic minority communities hit hard by type 2 diabetes: Here’s what we can do
As you probably know, type 2 diabetes has become a major health problem in the US and around the world. People with type 2 diabetes cannot effectively use glucose (sugar) from the food they eat to fuel the body. As a result, blood sugar levels are consistently higher than normal. Over time this can lead to serious, even deadly, complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. The slow and insidious nature of persistently high blood sugar can also cause problems that interfere with quality of life, including vision changes, nerve pain and infections that are slow to heal.
It is estimated that 415 million adults around the globe have diabetes, and by the year 2040 this number will increase to 642 million! It’s a tremendous problem, in both the number of people affected and the health consequences of untreated diabetes. Of the 30.3 million adults in the US with diabetes, 23.1 million were diagnosed and 7.2 million were undiagnosed! An even greater cause for concern is the many people who have higher than normal blood sugar (prediabetes) and are on the verge of developing type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that in 2015, 84.1 million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes.
Some populations are especially vulnerable to diabetes and its complications
As daunting as all that sounds, the situation is even worse for some racial and ethnic minorities in the US. Latinos/Hispanics, African Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Arab Americans, and Asian Americans have a higher risk for diabetes and its deadly complications.
Why? There are genetic factors that affect the ability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin and/or the ability of the body to respond to insulin. In addition, some of these populations have a genetic tendency to accumulate fat in the belly (abdominal obesity). This can have metabolic consequences that increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. In addition, lifestyle factors such as inappropriate nutrition and lack of physical activity lead to increasing rates of obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. And there are other non-medical issues that contribute to this problem. Disparities in income, education, health literacy, and access to health care may result in otherwise preventable (or treatable) cases of diabetes. And for some, cultural factors are barriers to preventing diabetes and controlling the disease appropriately.
So what to do?
If we stopped this story right here, you might get the impression that these populations are fully responsible for the health problems they are facing, and that there is nothing we can really do about it. But that is simply not the entire story. We can, and should, look at the clear inequalities in health care delivery that may influence the development and progression of some chronic diseases such as diabetes. In 1999, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine to assess these disparities. The goal was to explore factors that may contribute to inequities in care and devise strategies to mitigate these disparities.
The report from that study, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, found that medical care varied greatly by race, even when insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are comparable. This research indicates that US racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive even routine medical procedures. They are also more likely to experience a lower quality of health services around diabetes and other conditions.
One of the first steps in addressing these issues is to make the general public, health care providers, insurance companies, and policy makers aware of these disparities and the public health consequences of them. It is especially important for health care providers across the nation to be aware of the multiple biological, social, psychological, financial, and cultural factors that influence diabetes and other diseases, and to routinely take these into consideration when developing prevention and treatment programs for all groups.
We’ve come a long way in the fight against diabetes. However, as we continue with our collective work to improve the lives of people with diabetes and those at risk for the disease, we should not forget there are some people who need an extra hand. That is simply the right thing to do.
Dr. Caballero was recently recognized by the City of Boston for his unwavering commitment and continuous work to improving the health of Latinos in the community.
The post Racial and ethnic minority communities hit hard by type 2 diabetes: Here’s what we can do appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: A. Enrique Caballero, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/racial-and-ethnic-minority-communities-hit-hard-by-type-2-diabetes-heres-what-we-can-do-2017121912969
MinorÃas raciales/étnicas seriamente afectadas por diabetes tipo 2: Esto es lo que podemos hacer
Probablemente usted sabe que la diabetes tipo 2 se ha convertido en un problema enorme en el área de salud en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (EUA) y en el resto del mundo.
Las personas con diabetes tipo 2 no pueden utilizar la glucosa (azúcar) que se obtiene de los alimentos como fuente de energÃa de forma eficiente. En consecuencia, los niveles de azúcar en la sangre están por encima de lo normal. Con el tiempo, esto puede causar complicaciones serias e incluso fatales como enfermedad cardiovascular, enfermedad de los riñones y enfermedad vascular cerebral. La elevación persistente del azúcar puede causar también problemas que interfieren con la calidad de vida, incluyendo cambios en la visión, dolor en las piernas por afección de los nervios (neuropatÃa) asà como infecciones que no se curan tan rápidamente.
¡Se estima que 415 millones de adultos en el mundo sufren de diabetes, y que para el año 2040 esta cifra aumentará a 642 millones! Es un problema enorme tanto por el número de personas afectadas, asà como por las consecuencias de la enfermedad si no es controlada adecuadamente. De los 30.3 millones de adultos con diabetes en los EUA, ¡23.1 millones de ellos sabÃan que tenÃan la enfermedad y 7.2 millones no lo sabÃan! Es aún más preocupante la gran cantidad de personas que tienen prediabetes, etapa en la que los niveles de azúcar están altos y muy cercanos a los considerados para las personas con diabetes. Se estima que en año 2015, 84.1 millones de personas en EUA mayores de 18 años tenÃan prediabetes.
Algunas poblaciones son especialmente vulnerables ante la diabetes y sus complicaciones
Si todas estas cifras son desalentadoras, la situación es aún peor para las minorÃas étnicas y raciales en EUA. Los Latinos/Hispanos, Afro-americanos, Indios Americanos, Nativos de Hawái o Islas del PacÃfico, los Arabes-americanos, y los Asiático-americanos tienen un riesgo muy alto de desarrollar diabetes y sus complicaciones.
¿Porqué? Existen factores genéticos que afectan tanto la capacidad del páncreas para producir insulina suficiente, asà como para responder a ella. Además, algunos de estos grupos tienen cierta tendencia a acumular grasa en el vientre (obesidad abdominal). Esto puede conllevar a alteraciones metabólicas que aumentan el riesgo de diabetes, enfermedad del corazón y otras alteraciones. En estos grupos, la alimentación inadecuada y la actividad fÃsica insuficiente son factores comunes que causan sobrepeso u obesidad, que a su vez aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2. Existen otros factores no médicos que también influyen en el desarrollo y/o falta de detección oportuna de la enfermedad como son el nivel socioeconómico bajo, el nivel de educación y comprensión en salud bajos, algunos aspectos culturales y el acceso limitado a servicios de salud en muchos de los integrantes de estas poblaciones.
¿Qué podemos hacer?
Si nos detenemos aquà en esta historia, usted podrÃa quedarse con la impresión de que estos grupos son completamente responsables de la magnitud de sus problemas de salud y que no hay mucho que podamos hacer al respecto. Pero eso no es asÃ. Podemos y debemos reconocer las disparidades en los tipos y la calidad de servicios de salud que se ofrecen a estos grupos que pueden influir en el desarrollo y curso de enfermedades como la diabetes.
En 1999, el congreso de los EUA asignó al Instituto de Medicina que evaluara disparidades posibles en los servicios de salud entre los distintos grupos raciales y étnicos. El objetivo fue identificar factores que contribuyesen a tales disparidades y asà poder desarrollar estrategias para mitigarlos.
El reporte de ese estudio, Tratamiento desigual: Enfrentando las disparidades en salud en varios grupos étnicos/raciales, encontró que la calidad de atención en servicios de salud fue menor en los grupos étnicos/raciales minoritarios, aún después de eliminar la influencia en el análisis de factores como el acceso a los servicios de salud, el ingreso económico, la edad y la severidad de varias condiciones médicas. Este estudio demostró que estos grupos minoritarios tienen incluso una menor posibilidad de recibir procedimientos médicos de rutina. Habitualmente reciben también una calidad de atención mas baja en el área de diabetes y otras enfermedades relacionadas.
Uno de los primeros pasos para resolver estos problemas de salud es crear conciencia de los mismos en el público en general, proveedores y sistema de salud, compañÃas de seguros médicos y legisladores. Es de importancia particular el que los proveedores de salud identifiquen los factores biológicos, sociales, psicológicos, económicos y culturales que influyen en el desarrollo y curso de la diabetes y otras enfermedades y que rutinariamente los consideren al desarrollar programas de prevención y tratamiento para estos grupos.
Hemos logrado mucho en la lucha contra la diabetes. Sin embargo, al seguir adelante con nuestro esfuerzo colectivo para mejorar la vida de las personas con diabetes y de las que están en riesgo de desarrollarla, no debemos olvidar que hay algunos grupos a los que debemos extender la mano de manera particular. Es simplemente, hacer lo correcto.
El Dr. Caballero recibió recientemente un reconocimiento especial por la AlcaldÃa de Boston por su compromiso inquebrantable y trabajo continuo para mejorar la salud de la población Latina/Hispana.
The post MinorÃas raciales/étnicas seriamente afectadas por diabetes tipo 2: Esto es lo que podemos hacer appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: A. Enrique Caballero, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/minorias-raciales-etnicas-seriamente-afectadas-por-diabetes-tipo-2-esto-es-lo-que-podemos-hacer-2017121912977
Two Foods Could Help Ex-Smokers' Lungs Heal
Diets high in tomatoes and fruits, particularly apples, could speed the healing of smoke-damaged lungs.
From: https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20171221/two-foods-could-help-ex-smokers-lungs-heal?src=RSS_PUBLIC
High Costs Keep Many Cancer Patients From Needed Drugs
Cancer drugs have become so pricey that U.S. patients often can't afford them, a new study finds.
From: https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20171221/high-costs-keep-many-cancer-patients-from-needed-drugs?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Chronic Heartburn Tied to Higher Odds for Head, Neck Cancers
New research suggests people with chronic acid reflux might have higher odds for even more dangerous foes -- head and neck cancers
From: https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/news/20171221/chronic-heartburn-tied-to-higher-odds-for-head-neck-cancers?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Are Women's Hearts More Vulnerable to Stress?
Mental stress can take a toll on blood vessels -- and women with heart disease may be especially vulnerable, a new study suggests.
From: https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20171221/are-womens-hearts-more-vulnerable-to-stress?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Pets on Planes: Emotional Support or Sham?
You may find yourself sitting near a four-legged passenger as airlines report more people taking pets on planes by calling them emotional support animals.
From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20171221/pets-on-planes-emotional-support-or-sham?src=RSS_PUBLIC
U.S. Life Expectancy Drops as Opioid Deaths Surge
Life expectancy declined in the United States for the second year in a row in 2016, driven downward by fatal drug overdoses in young and middle-aged adults, according to a new report from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20171221/us-life-expectancy-drops-as-opioid-deaths-surge?src=RSS_PUBLIC
To exercise more, get your game on
Does exercise sometimes feel like an annoying chore? Adding a little friendly competition and other “gamification” strategies just might help, according to a new study.
The six-month-long study included 94 families who tracked their daily step counts with a wearable device or a smartphone. Just over half of the participants were women, and their average age was 55. Half were randomly chosen for the gamification arm of the study, which was designed to encourage collaboration, accountability, and team spirit. These families received small prizes tied to achieving daily and weekly step goals. They boosted their daily walking distance by almost a mile — more than twice the gains achieved by people who weren’t part of the competition.
“Gamification helps motivate people by making the hard stuff in life more fun,” says Dr. Ichiro Kawachi, chair of the department of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Exercise sometimes feels like a duty, especially when your doctor lectures you about it. Psychologically, that’s not very inspiring, he says.
Harnessing team spirit
When you “gamify” health advice, the idea is to introduce elements of games into people’s daily routines. In this study, participants earned points by meeting daily physical activity goals, progressing through higher levels by keeping up that behavior, and ultimately winning prizes. But games are not just for single players. “Being on a team encourages cooperation, and people egg each other on. And when different teams compete against one another, that adds another layer of incentive. It’s like the difference between playing solitaire versus bridge,” Dr. Kawachi explains.
The study, published online Oct. 2, 2017, by JAMA Internal Medicine, relied on practices inspired by behavioral economics. People dislike losing even more than they like gaining, so the families were awarded 70 points every Monday, which they stood to lose if they did not meet their exercise goals. Every day, the family would keep or lose 10 points based on whether the group met their daily step goal. The added hitch: the step goal was based only on one randomly chosen family member, which helped to encourage everyone to try hard, notes Dr. Kawachi, who wrote an invited commentary published alongside the study.
Measurable gains
The gaming period of the study lasted three months, during which the gaming families boosted their activity levels by about 1,700 steps — more than twice the gains achieved by the nongaming control families. Over the next three months, everyone kept tracking his or her steps. The gamers lost some of their initial gains but still continued to outperform the nongamers.
Although these initial results are promising, experts are still in the early stages of understanding how to apply gamification effectively. Right now, there’s a gap: game app developers aren’t really focused on health, and health promotion experts aren’t thinking about games, says Dr. Kawachi. “I’d like to see health insurance plans collaborate with app developers to offer these types of things through their health promotion initiatives,” he says.
In the meantime, you can use the same principles to make your walking or exercise regimen more like a game. Invite your family, friends, or colleagues to play along, and make up your own goals and rewards.
Learn more about Harvard Health Publishing’s online course Starting to Exercise. This interactive program will help you create a safe, well-rounded exercise plan—one that fits your life and that you will be likely to stick with.
The post To exercise more, get your game on appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Julie Corliss https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/exercise-get-game-2017122112903
Holiday Chocolates No Treat for Dogs
British researchers discovered that dogs were over four times more likely to eat chocolate at Christmas and nearly twice as likely to do so at Easter than the rest of the year.
From: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/news/20171220/holiday-chocolates-no-treat-for-dogs?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Eating Greens May Boost an Aging Brain
People who eat leafy green vegetables every day may maintain a sharper mind as they age, a new study suggests.
From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20171220/eat-your-greens-----and-maybe-boost-an-aging-brain?src=RSS_PUBLIC
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