Health : Health Buzz: Junk Food Diet May Lower IQ |
| Health Buzz: Junk Food Diet May Lower IQ Posted: 08 Feb 2011 08:24 AM PST Eating a Junk Food Diet During Childhood Could Affect IQ We know that chips, candy, and chocolate cake don't do waistlines any good—but can junk food also stunt our intelligence? The IQs of children who eat fatty, sugary, processed foods appear to suffer years later, while the IQs of those who eat healthily increase, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. British researchers tracked what 14,000 children ate and drank at ages 3, 4, 7, and 8½, and found that those who ate a diet high in processed foods at age 3 had a slightly lower IQ five years later than their healthier-eating peers. Kids whose diet emphasized fruit, vegetables, salads, fish, rice, and pasta, meanwhile, saw small increases in their IQ. Diet likely makes the greatest impact during the first three years of life, when the brain is rapidly developing; good nutrition promotes brain growth and cognitive skills. "We know (a healthy diet) is important for physical growth and development, but it may also be important for mental ability," lead author Kate Northstone, a research fellow in the department of social medicine at the University of Bristol, told BusinessWeek.
The Obesity Epidemic Isn't Just About Willpower Obesity, not so long ago an issue of personal struggle with fatty foods and bulging waistline, has of late become Public Health Enemy No. 1, blamed for almost a third of the rise in healthcare spending. Overeaters now find themselves in the same category as smokers or drug addicts, tainted with the aura of moral weakness and lack of willpower. This perspective has begun to spawn tough-love policies geared to prod people into thinness, writes U.S. News's Bernadine Healy. Discriminating against the chubby in social and even employment settings seems to be gaining on the politically correct scale. And levying a "sin tax" on sweet treats, starting with sugary sodas and fruit juices, has a growing following on Capitol Hill. The sharpened focus on fatness isn't surprising: Overweight is far more pervasive than either smoking or addiction, affecting over 65 percent of the population, and true obesity has more than doubled since 1980, at a cost estimated at more than a hundred billion dollars a year. The obese have shorter lives and face more diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer than the thin, not to speak of the psychological burden and often lowered self-esteem. But using blame and punishment to inspire willpower and discipline in citizens to curb their appetite, eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise more is not likely to work. Why? Because it does not begin to take into account the biological complexity of obesity and the enormous biological differences among individuals that make weight loss a snap for some and a near impossibility for others. [Read more: The Obesity Epidemic Isn't Just About Willpower.] 10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much Regular workouts are supposed to increase your muscle mass and decrease your body fat, right? Well, yes, with a caveat. Some folks ramp it up too much especially when they start a new training regimen to prepare themselves for, say, a grueling marathon or triathlon, fitness blogger Chelsea Bush writes for U.S. News. Overdoing your workouts can actually lead to diminished strength and increased body fat—your body's way of begging for a break. While your body can handle a particularly tough workout, it also needs time to recover from the stress overload, says Corey Stenstrup, performance development trainer at IMG Academies. The best way to recover from that particularly tough workout? A day or two of rest followed by a light bout of exercise, recommends Stenstrup. Also make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep a night which your body will need to repair those tiny muscle tears that occur during workouts and enable your body to build new muscle. Good nutrition is also key: Think lean protein (fish, skinless chicken breast, tofu), whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Here are the 10 ways your body will let you know if you're headed for exercise burnout. 1. Decreased performance. A drop in your workout performance is one of the earliest signs of overload, according to Jini Cicero, a conditioning specialist based in Los Angeles, Calif. Altered performance levels are often more apparent in endurance activities such as running, swimming and cycling, she says. [Read more: 10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much.] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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