Add Weights to Your Diabetes-Prevention Arsenal
If your workout routine doesn’t include weights, a new study of exercise and diabetes risk may convince you to add resistance training to your aerobics regimen. Researchers analyzed data on 32,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study; over 18 years, 2,278 developed diabetes. Participants who spent at least 150 minutes weekly doing both aerobic and resistance exercise were 59% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than their sedentary peers. Both aerobic and resistance exercise were associated with lower diabetes risk, but men who did both had the lowest risk of all. Although more was better when it came to weight training, as little as 10 minutes a day provided a benefit. Previous studies showing exercise helps prevent diabetes mostly focused on aerobic activity, although resistance training had been shown to improve blood-sugar control in those already with the disease. Even though the new study looked only at data on men, researchers expressed confidence the findings would also apply to women. — Archives of Internal Medicine

NYC Trans Fat Ban Is Working
New York City’s ban on trans fats in restaurant chains, enacted in 2006 and put into place in 2007, appears to be working. An analysis of lunchtime receipts from 168 Manhattan fast-food eateries finds a sharp drop in trans-fat consumption, from 2.91 g before the ban to 0.51 g in 2009. That 2.4 g average decrease represents about 22 fewer calories from trans fat per meal. Researchers point out that studies have linked 40 daily calories from trans fat to a 23% greater risk of heart disease. Although saturated-fat intake rose after the ban, up 0.55 g, that increase was substantially less than the drop in trans fats. Hamburger chains, Mexican eateries and fried-chicken restaurants showed the greatest post-ban decline in trans fat consumption. The study compared nutritional data and food purchases on 6,969 lunch purchases in 2007 with 7,885 lunches in 2009. — Annals of Internal Medicine

Athletes’ Dehydration Dangers Mostly Marketers’ Myth
Athletes who collapse during meets or workouts are no more likely to be dehydrated than fellow competitors who remain upright, according to a new review with scathing words about sports-drink marketing. In fact, says Tim Noakes, MD, of the University of Cape Town, too much water (“hyperhydration”) is a greater health risk to athletes than dehydration. As little as a 2% increase in total body water can trigger serious health problems, he writes, while serious dehydration risks don’t begin until a 15% decrease (which would require 48 dry hours in the desert). Dr. Noakes adds, “Over the past 40 years humans have been misled... to believe that they need to drink to stay ‘ahead of thirst’ to be optimally hydrated.” An accompanying investigative article cites “collaboration” between beverage marketers and scientist in promoting “a whole area of science devoted to hydration.” — BMJ

Tai Chi Improves COPD
Patients with COPD may breathe a little easier if they try the ancient Chinese practice of tai chi. Results from a new randomized trial with 42 sufferers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show that those assigned to learn tai chi improved endurance and peak exercise capacity compared to a control group. Participants, average age 73, were either given standard medical care or enrolled in a 12-week program of 2 hour-long weekly Sun-style tai chi sessions, with home practice on other days. The gentle Chinese exercise regimen was also associated with improved balance and strength. Benefits against COPD symptoms were comparable to those seen from a conventional pulmonary rehabilitation program. — European Respiratory Journal

US Drought Increases Global Famine
The US drought may lead to starvation halfway around the world in countries like Yemen, warns the international food-relief agency Oxfam. In a report issued prior to a “Hunger Summit” in the UK, Oxfam painted a dire picture of the effect of rising corn, soy and wheat prices in the developing world. Already, according to the report, corn stockpiles are at their lowest level in 6 years and the world is seeing a record number of food emergencies. Hard-hit areas include the Sahel region of West Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Yemen. “For millions of people who are currently struggling to get by, rising food prices could spell disaster,” warned Max Lawson, Oxfam head of policy. “We need urgent action to help the worst affected countries build their food reserves and put in place social safety-nets to enable people to weather this storm.” But Lawson added that short-term action was not enough: “We cannot keep relying on humanitarian agencies to pick up the pieces.”