Health

Some Americans Are Eating Better, but Health Inequities Remain

Published

2 months ago

July 21, 2024

However, they also found that the number of Americans with poor diet quality remains stubbornly high. Most notably, disparities persist and, in some cases, are worsening.

Poor diet continues to take a toll on American adults. It’s a major risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and more than one million Americans die every year from diet-related diseases, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Poor diet and food insecurity is also costly, attributing to an estimated $1.1 trillion in health care expenditures and lost productivity. These burdens also contribute to major health disparities by income, education, zip code, race, and ethnicity.

“While we’ve seen some modest improvement in American diets in the last two decades, those improvements are not reaching everyone, and many Americans are eating worse,” says Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University at Tufts University, and senior author of the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

“Our new research shows that the nation can’t achieve nutritional and health equity until we address the barriers many Americans face when it comes to accessing and eating nourishing food.”

The researchers investigated data from 10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2020, a nationally representative survey that includes repeated 24-hour dietary recalls, where people report all foods and beverages consumed during the prior day. The study analyzed 51,703 adults who completed at least one valid 24-hour recall, with 72.6% having done two recalls.

They measured diet quality using the American Heart Association diet score, a validated measure of a healthy diet that includes components like fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts, whole grains, sugary beverages, and processed meat.

They found that the proportion of adults with poor dietary quality decreased from 48.8% to 36.7% over these two decades, while those with intermediate diet quality increased from 50.6% to 61.1%. They also found that the proportion of adults with an ideal diet improved but remained starkly low, from 0.66% to 1.58%.

Specific changes contributed to these trends, including higher intakes of nuts/seeds, whole grains, poultry, cheese, and eggs. Researchers also found lower consumption of refined grains, drinks with added sugar, fruit juice, and milk. Total intake of fruits and vegetables, fish/shellfish, processed meat, potassium, and sodium remained relatively stable.

When the analysis focused on key subgroups, the researchers found that these improvements were not universal. Gains in dietary quality were highest among younger adults, women, Hispanic adults, and people with higher levels of education, income, food security, and access to private health insurance.

They were lower among older adults, men, Black adults, and people with lower education, less income, food insecurity, or non-private health insurance. For example, the proportion of adults with poor diet quality decreased from 51.8% to 47.3% among individuals with lower income, decreased from 50.0% to 43.0% among individuals with middle income, and decreased from 45.7% to 29.9% among individuals with higher income.

“While some improvement, especially lower consumption of added sugar and fruit drinks, is encouraging to see, we still have a long way to go, especially for people from marginalized communities and backgrounds,” says first author Junxiu Liu, a postdoctoral scholar at the Friedman School at the time of the study, now assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

“We face a national nutrition crisis, with continuing climbing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes,” Mozaffarian says. “These diseases afflict all Americans, but especially those who are socioeconomically and geographically vulnerable. We must address nutrition security and other social determinants of health including housing, transportation, fair wages, and structural racism to address the human and economic costs of poor diets.”

Source: Jen A. Miller for Tufts University

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Related Topics:Americans diet foods Futurity Researchers Taraneh Pettinato-Tufts

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Can Stuff in Rosemary Extract Fight Cocaine Addiction?

Published

18 hours ago

September 5, 2024

Futurity

Researchers have discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce intakes of cocaine by moderating the brain’s reward response, offering a new therapeutic target for treating addiction.

September 5, 2024 by Futurity Leave a Comment

By Pat Harriman-UC Irvine

The study in the journal Neuron describes researchers’ focus on a region of the brain called the globus pallidus externus, which acts as a gatekeeper that regulates how we react to cocaine.

They discovered that within the GPe, parvalbumin-positive neurons are crucial in controlling the response to cocaine by changing the activity neurons releasing the pleasure molecule dopamine.

“There are currently no effective therapeutics for dependence on psychostimulants such as cocaine, which, along with opioids, represent a substantial health burden,” says corresponding author Kevin Beier, an associate professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of California, Irvine.

“Our study deepens our understanding of the basic brain mechanisms that increase vulnerability to substance use disorder-related outcomes and provides a foundation for the development of new interventions.”

Findings in mice revealed that globus pallidus externus parvalbumin-positive cells, which indirectly influence the release of dopamine, become more excitable after being exposed to cocaine. This caused a drop in the expression of certain proteins that encode membrane channels that usually help keep the globus pallidus cell activity in check. The researchers found that carnosic acid, an isolate of rosemary extract, selectively binds to the affected channels, providing an avenue to reduce response to the drug in a relatively specific fashion.

“Only a subset of individuals are vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder, but we cannot yet identify who they are. If globus pallidus cell activity can effectively predict response to cocaine, it could be used to measure likely responses and thus serve as a biomarker for the most vulnerable,” Beier says. “Furthermore, it’s possible that carnosic acid could be given to those at high risk to reduce the response to cocaine.”

The next steps in this research include thoroughly assessing negative side effects of carnosic acid and determining the ideal dosage and timing. The team is also interested in testing its efficacy in reducing the desire for other drugs and in developing more potent and targeted variants.

Scientists from the University of West Virginia and the University of Colorado participated in the study.

Support for this work came from the National Institutes of Health, One Mind, the Alzheimer’s Association, New Vision Research, BrightFocus Foundation, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

Source: UC Irvine

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Previously Published on futurity.org with Creative Commons License

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Health

Hoka's 'Amazing' Walking Shoes That 'Have So Much More Cushion' Than Other Sneakers Are A Super-Rare 20% Off

Published

2 days ago

September 4, 2024

Anthony Mastracci

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

This summer was filled with discounts on almost every Hoka hiking shoe, from the light and breezy Speedgoat trail runner to the ultra-durable Kaha hiking boot. The brand’s iconic running shoes very rarely go on sale, but a select few have received surprise discounts at Dick’s Sporting Goods, including the Clifton, the Solimar, and now the ever-popular Bondi.

The Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoe is on sale for $132 at Dick’s Sporting Goods right now—a rare 20% off the normal price of $165. These sneakers have maintained a 4.3-star rating after more than 4,300 votes, and they’re a top 3 bestselling style at Dick’s along with the Hoka Clifton and Brooks’ Adrenaline. The Bondi is only on sale in a single color—a nice neutral gray-green tone—but it’s available in all sizes from 8 to 14, though that may not be the case for much longer.

Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoes in Slate, $132 (was $165) at Dick’s Sporting Goods

The Hoka Bondi 8 in Slate.

Courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods

The Bondi 8 is one of Hoka’s bestselling models—if not the top dog—because it offers a massive stack of cushion that makes people feel like they’re walking on air. Its light and bouncy foam midsole is ideal for pounding neighborhood pavement on short runs, but it’s also great as a walking shoe and a shoe for standing all day. Up top, a breathable mesh upper helps keep feet cool while underneath, strategically placed rubber inlays help fight abrasion, extending the life of the shoe months beyond the average pair. They’re also certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association as a style that promotes good foot health.

Shoppers wear the Bondi everywhere from the track to the coffee shop, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among medical workers who need all-day support. “I am a resident physician and am on my feet for 80 hours a week,” a shopper began. “The Bondi 8 is the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn in the hospital…I used to just buy cheap shoes and would wear them until they fell apart, but these shoes are amazing. They have so much more cushion than other shoes that are popular among healthcare workers. My feet aren’t sore at all at the end of my shift.”

Hoka running shoes rarely go on sale, which is why it’s shocking to see the Bondi 8 for just $132 at Dick’s. If you’ve been shopping for a new pair and you’re into this neutral tone, grab yourself a pair soon, because when it comes to Hoka sales, sizes don’t hang around for long.

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Health

From STEM to STEAM, a Conversation with Brooke Brown

Published

2 days ago

September 4, 2024

School Specialty

In our latest episode of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung welcomes Brooke Brown, a National Board Certified Teacher, National Presenter, and Curriculum Author specializing in STEM, Makerspaces, Coding, and Robotics.

Nancy and Brooke explore the world of STEM education and the importance of including the arts in STEAM education to prepare students for future challenges.

Brooke’s background in education has driven her passion for creating innovative products that foster engaging learning experiences. She emphasizes the significance of STEAM in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world innovation and equipping students with essential skills for an evolving job market.

They discuss STEM education, and Brooke shares personal stories of integrating the arts into STEM projects, which has led to unexpected breakthroughs and memorable learning moments for her students.

brooke brown and nancy chung, video call interview — *Brooke Brown is interviewed by host Nancy Chung*.

Brooke also talks about her favorite STEAM lessons, including chain reactions, pumpkin catapults, and paper roller coasters, highlighting the excitement and engagement these activities bring to students.

The episode concludes with a fun segment where Brooke imagines a STEAM superhero team, showcasing the unique powers each member would bring to solve global challenges. Listen in to hear who makes it on Brooke’s squad!

To learn more about Brooke Brown and her resources for STEM and STEAM education, visit her website and connect with her on social media.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on education in upcoming episodes of The Schoolyard Podcast. Class dismissed!

Brooke Brown

Brooke is in her 18th year of teaching literacy and STEM in Oklahoma. After 10 years teaching grades 1-3, she now serves as a Gifted Resource Coordinator for early childhood students, focusing on Gifted and Talented, STEM, Math Enrichment, and Advanced Literacy for grades K-2. Her classroom also functions as a Makerspace for grades K-2 on Mondays and Fridays.

Brooke is passionate about creating hands-on, innovative resources to foster engaging, play-based learning experiences. She is a National Board Certified Teacher as an Early Childhood Generalist and was honored as Roosevelt Elementary Teacher of the Year and Norman Public Schools District Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Brooke has authored resources for Teachers Pay Teachers and created STEM Bins® and Reading Construction Toolkits. Balancing teaching with family life, she spends quality time with her husband of 15 years, Andy, and their two children, Ellie and Beau.

Learn more about Brooke at Teach Outside the Box.

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