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May 13. 2009
PageA5
H ealth matters
Genes Pinpoint
Human Origins
Food Factors Most in Weight Gain
Trumps physical
activity effects
(AP) - The major reason for
the obesity epidemic that has
gripped the United States in the
past three decades is increased
food intake, not reduced physi­
cal activity, according to a new
study.
The study is the first to quan­
tify the relative contributions of
food and exercise habits to the
growing number of Americans
with bulging waistlines.
"In the U.S., over the last 30
years, it seems that the food side
o f the equation has changed
much more than the physical ac­
tivity side," Professor Boyd A.
Swinbum, director of the World
Health Organization Collaborat­
ing Center for Obesity Preven­
tion at D eakin U niversity,
Melbourne, Australia.
Weight gain in the American
population seems to be virtu­
ally all due to the consumption
of more calories, with declines
in physical activity playing only
a m inor role, Sw inbum ex ­
plained.
"We absolutely need to con­
tinue to prom ote in creased
physical activity and a healthy
diet because they are both ob­
viously beneficial factors in
terms of obesity," he em pha­
sized. "But when it comes to
placing priorities, I think it
needs to be on reducing energy
Swinbum and colleagues, the
predicted and actual weight in­
crease matched exactly, which
indicates that the increases in
energy intake alone over the 30
years studied could explain the
added pounds, they say.
In adults, the data predicted
that they would be 24 pounds
heavier, but in fact they were 19
pounds heavier. This finding,
Swinbum noted, "suggests that
excess food intake still explains
the weight gain, but that there
may have been increases in
physical activity over the 30
years that have blunted what
would otherwise have been a
higher weight gain."
"To return to the average
weights of the 1970s, we would
need to reverse the increased
food intake of about 350 calo­
ries a day for children (about
one can of fizzy drink and a
small portion of French fries)
and 500 calories a day for adults
Over-eating, not a lack o f exercise, is to blame for the
(about one large hamburger),"
American obesity epidemic, a new study claimed Friday.
Swinbum noted.
"A lte rn a tiv e ly , we could
allowed them to predict how
intake."
achieve
similar results by in­
In the study, Swinbum and much weight Americans would
creasing
physical activity by
his colleagues calculated how be expected to gain over the 30-
about
150
minutes a day of ex­
much adults need to eat in or­ year study period if food intake
tra
walking
for children and 110
der to maintain a stable weight were the only influence.
minutes
for
adults, but realisti­
Next, the investigators deter­
and how much children need to
cally,
although
a combination
eat in order to maintain a nor­ mined the actual weight gained
o
f
both
is
needed,
the focus
mal growth curve.
over the study period using
would
have
to
be
on
reducing
They then figured out how data from a nationally represen­
calorie
intake,"
he
added.
much Americans were actually tative survey that recorded the
eating, using national food sup­ \veight o f A m ericans in the
ply data from the 1970s and the 1970s and early 2000s.
early 2000s. This information
In ch ild ren , according to
( A P) — Africans have more
genetic variation than anyone
else on Earth, according to a
new study that helps narrow
the location where humans
first evolved, probably near
the South Africa-Namibia bor­
der.
The largest study of Afri­
can genetics ever undertaken
also found that nearly three-
fourths of African-Americans
can trace their ancestry to
West Africa.
"Given the fact that mod­
em humans arose in Africa,
they have had time to accu­
mulate dramatic changes" in
their genes, explained lead re­
searcher Sarah Tishkoff, a ge­
neticist at the U niversity of
Pennsylvania.
"The hum an genom e d e ­
scribes the complexity of our
sp ecies," add ed M u n ta se r
Ibrahim of the department of
molecular biology at the Uni­
versity of Khartoum, Sudan.
"Now we have spectacular in­
sight into the history of the Af­
rican population ... the oldest
history of mankind.
"Everybody's history is pan
of African history because ev­
erybody came out of Africa,"
Ibrahim said.
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Vigilance against Flu Virus Urged
Risks continue, resurgence expected this fall
C om placency is the m ost
dangerous enemy as the H IN 1
swine flu virus continues to
spread in O regon and e lse ­
where, the head of the Oregon
Public Health Division warns.
“This first wave is not yet
over, and I fully expect to see
the statew ide numbers grow
through the rest of this flu sea­
son and then again in the fall
flu season, said Dr. Mel Kohn.
“In order to protect them ­
se lv e s and o th e rs, p eo p le
should keep up the common
sense practices of frequent and
thoro u g h han d w ash in g and
other precautions,” Kohn said.
W hile strongly cautioning
that this spring's outbreak of
the H 1N 1 swine flu is still ac­
tive, Kohn and his team of pub­
lic health authorities are plan­
ning for a resurgence of this flu
strain as well as seasonal influ­
enza viruses in the fall.
“We are relieved that the
health effects Caused by the
H1N1 swine flu virus are turn­
ing out to be similar to the com­
mon annual influenza viruses
we are accustomed to prevent-
Dr. Mel Kohn
ing and treating,” Kohn said.
“Looking forward, however, we
anticipate a reappearance of this
strain in the fall, particularly
because we have no natural
immunity and a vaccine may not
yet be available.”
The H 1N 1 swine flu is spread
m ain ly
p e rso n -to -p e rso n
through coughing or sneezing
by infected people. People in­
fected with the H 1N 1 swine flu
virus may not be symptomatic
one to four days following ex­
posure.
The Oregon Public Health
Division advises that when it
comes to protecting yourself.
your family and your clients,
common sense precautions go
a long way in avoiding infec­
tion.
Use the normal safeguards
you would to avoid any respi­
ratory illness:
Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Throw the tissue in
the garbage after you use it.
Wash your hands often with
soap and water, especially after
you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-
based hand cleaners also are
effective.
Avoid touching your eyes,
nose or mouth to avoid spread­
ing germs.
Try to avoid close contact
with sick people.
If you are ill, stay home to
avoid spreading your illness to
others.
H 1N I swine influenza symp­
toms are similar to those for sea­
sonal flu and may include fever
greater than 100 degrees F; sore
th ro at; cough; stuffy nose;
chills; headache or body aches;
fatigue; and in some cases di­
arrhea and vomiting.
Arthritis hurts. Physical activity can help. Studies show that 30 minutes of moderate
physical activity three or more days a week can help you move more easily. You can
break it up, too. Start with a walk. I ater, rake leaves or wash the car. Keep it up, and
in four to six weeks you could be hurting less and enjoying life more.
Physical Activity. The A rthritis Pain Reliever.
Call the A rth ritis Foundation at SO3-24S-S693 for
information about exercise and aquatics classes near you
A
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H ealth W atch
Red Cross Continuing Education—The Oregon
Trail Chapter Red Cross now offers credits to
helps professionals maintain licensing or certifi­
cation. For a cumulative list, visit pdxinfo.net.
Cancer Resource Center - Providence St.
Vincent Medical Center and the American Red
Cross have joined forces to create the first in-
hospital resource center providing books, printed
material, computer access and more for individu­
als and families dealing with cancer. The center is
open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chronic Pain Support Group - meets the first
Wednesday at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the third
Wednesday of each month, from 7 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. For more inf ormation, call 503-256-4000.
Maternity Water Workout - Helping new moms
regain muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, all in
the support and freedom of the water. Call 503-
256-4000 for more information.
Cholesterol Profiles — Calls helps you keep an
eye on your cholesterol and other indicators of
heart health; educational material provided. For
more information, call 503-261-6611.
Cardiac-Rehab Exercises -- A medically super­
vised exercise program for people dealing with
heart conditions. For information, call 503-251-
6260.
Senior Aerobics - A low-impact workout geared
specifically toward seniors. Call 503-449-0783
for current schedule.
Osteoporosis Screening - An ultrasound bone
density screening with personalized education;
fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-
261-6611.
I>eg Alert Screening - Check for peripheral
arterial disease with this safe, simple screening
using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40.
To schedule an appointment, call 503-251-6137.
Smoke-F ree Su pport G rou p - - meets Mondays,
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call 503-256-
4000.
Managing Chronic Hepatitis C -ThirdWednes-
day of each month at 5 p.m. The informative
session is led by a registered nurse to help you
manage side effects of medications and dosage
preparations and administration; doctor referral
required. To register, cal1503-251-6313.
Heart Talk Support Group Meets - on the
second Monday of each month; from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. For more information, call 503-251 -6260.
Lead Poisoning Prevention - Learn how to
protect your family from lead poisoning. Ideal
for folks in live in older homes with children or
pregnant women. Qualified participants receive
a free kit of safety and testing supplies. Call 503-
284-6827.
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