Obesity,Cognitive Decline,Paralympics, and Apps

"I have always believed that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value."– Hermann Hesse

Do you realize that individuals who are obese in middle age and have high blood pressure and other metabolic risk factors have a speedier cognitive decline as they get older than people of normal weight? In other words even if you are fit and fat you are still at risk as far as significant cognitive decline per 6,401 individuals participating in a 10 year research study funded by the National Institutes of Health. At the beginning of the study the mean age of these individuals was 50. 53% were of normal weight, 38% were overweight and 9% were obese. Further, 31% of all participants had metabolic risk factors. At this point the researchers weren’t exactly sure how obesity and cognitive decline are linked. They’re thinking that possibly heart disease and inflammation are likely involved. Further, the researchers suggested that maybe lifestyle factors associated with obesity may also play a role such as a higher proportion of smoking. According to Dr. Peterson, aerobic exercise seems to lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This article was found in the August 21, 2012 edition of the Wall Street Journal.

In another article, August 30, 2012 of the Wall Street Journal there’s a story about a blind sprinter. Yes, this is a female sprinter who is blind. Tracy Hinton lost her sight as a result of retinal cancer when she was four. She placed an ad in the newspaper about 10 years ago because she wanted to compete in the Paralympics in Athens and in Beijing in the 100 and 200 m sprints. A young man Stefan Hughes answered the ad and is her sight on the track. Being roughly the same height and adjusting stride patterns they run with no more than half a meter apart according to the rules. In other words they sometimes bump shoulders. This young woman said she lately has tried sprinting on her own with help from Stefan’s vocals but says she has difficulty because she seems to run off to one side.

And for all you technical nerds, there are 17,662 apps primarily for health and fitness in Apple’s Apps Store according to the August 27, 2012 Wall Street Journal. In other words, you can find an app  on how to perform yoga; a Nike training club that allows you to set the length and purpose of each of your workouts; going from the couch to a 5K-provides a plan for a non-runner to work up to a 5K race; and a fooducate that provides you with nutrition information and also alternatives. What are you waiting for?

The task that remains is for you to do it. Remember, keep moving.