1. Call to action for World Physical Activity Day 6th April 2012: Help patients get active!
BMJ Group
World Physical Activity Day on the 6th April 2012 is an opportunity for sports and exercise professionals to lead the way on global exercise advice. Every health professional should give exercise advice to patients and the public. The medicine behind exercise as a critical public health intervention is now no longer debatable.
2. Deaths from womb cancer rise by a fifth: Cancer Research UK
Telegraph
More women are dying from cancer of the womb as diagnoses increase due to obesity, figures have shown.
3. The ‘baloney mass index’: Why BMI can give false readings and it means 40% of people in U.S are heavier than first thought
Daily Mail
The obesity epidemic could be far worse than previously realised because of serious flaws in the way body fat is measured, according to a study. Researchers said the Body Mass Index – the formula usually used to determine fat – drastically underestimated how many people should regard themselves as unhealthily overweight or obese.
4. Only 1 qualified fitness instructor for every 8,000 elderly people in the UK, says The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
People
Data from the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) suggests that an increasing number of older adults in the UK could be at greater risk of injury or long term health complications when exercising.
5. Keep fit to beat blues, elderly told
Express
Keeping fit helps older people avoid mental health problems. The reverse is also true. Older adults who suffer psychological distress are more than four times more likely to experience “physical limitation”, says a study.
6. How Tai Chi in later life is good for the heart: Elderly who perform exercises lower blood pressure
Daily Mail
Practising the ancient martial art of tai chi can boost elderly people’s hearts, a study has found. Older subjects who regularly performed the traditional Chinese mind-body exercise now enjoyed worldwide were less likely to suffer high blood pressure and were physically stronger.
7. Why taking a break is good for your health
Red Online
Does this seem like your life? You’re sitting at your desk starting the day, about to trawl through emails etc and before you know it it’s half past five and you haven’t looked up once. Any takers? If so, join the 36 per cent of employees regularly work through lunch without taking a break, and the quarter of us who admit taking no breaks at all during their working day.
According to The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy who is organising Workout at Work Day on Tuesday 19 June, to show people how they can build regular exercise into their day, this lack of movement can play havoc with our health.
8. From the Army to boot camp: How ex-soldier made his career dream come true
Mirror
Dan Smith could not imagine how he was going to survive life in civvy street after serving in the army since he was a teenager.
Today, 15 months after the leap into the unknown, he and his wife Caroline are running their own business, Northern Boot Camp, which provides residential camps for people looking to boost their fitness, lose weight, or transform their lives.
9. Exclusive: Thousands back petition against VAT on sports nutrition supplements ahead of London 2012
Mancunian Matters
Sports nutritionists and health food stores are uniting in a petition against government legislation following the budget – and have nearly 12,000 names in less than three days.