Science Weekly - 21st Aug 2020

Many intriguing papers hit the press this week discussing topics from links between COVID and obesity, through low carb diet benefits on aging adult to how anorexia affects young women's growth.

​The highlights:
​

• ​Scientists sound the alarm: Lockdowns may escalate the obesity epidemic
• ​More healthful milk chocolate by adding peanut, coffee waste
• ​​Social connection boosts fitness app appeal
• ​How protein protects against fatty liver
• ​Multivitamin, mineral supplement linked to less-severe, shorter-lasting illness symptoms
• ​High intensity physical activity in early life could lead to stronger bones in adulthood
• Study focuses on low-carb, high-fat diet effect on older populations
• ​Relationship between COVID-19 deaths and morbid obesity
• ​Research shows air pollution could play role in development of cardiometabolic diseases
• ​Research shows air pollution could play role in development of cardiometabolic diseases
• Anorexia may stunt young women's growth

Scientists sound the alarm: Lockdowns may escalate the obesity epidemic

Researchers warn that rates of obesity may explode because of strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Source: University of Copenhagen The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

More healthful milk chocolate by adding peanut, coffee waste

Milk chocolate is a consumer-favorite worldwide, prized for its sweet flavor and creamy texture. In contrast, dark chocolate has high levels of phenolic compounds, which can provide antioxidant health benefits, but is less popular. Today, researchers report a new way to combine milk chocolate with waste peanut skins and other wastes to boost its antioxidant properties.

Source: American Chemical Society

Social connection boosts fitness app appeal

Apps alone don't motivate most people to exercise but interacting with an online exercise community as well provides the impetus for exercisers to do more -- and enjoy what they are doing.

Source: Flinders University

How protein protects against fatty liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, with sometimes life-threatening consequences. A high-protein, calorie-reduced diet can cause the harmful liver fat to melt away -- more effectively than a low-protein diet. A new study shows which molecular and physiological processes are potentially involved.

Source: German Center for Diabetes Research - DZD

Multivitamin, mineral supplement linked to less-severe, shorter-lasting illness symptoms

Older adults who took a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and high amounts of vitamin C in a 12-week study experienced sickness for shorter periods and with less severe symptoms than counterparts in a control group receiving a placebo.

Source: Oregon State University

High intensity physical activity in early life could lead to stronger bones in adulthood

High intensity physical activity in early life might help maximise peak hip strength and prevent osteoporosis in later life, according to a new study.

Source: University of Bristol

Study focuses on low-carb, high-fat diet effect on older populations

Medical researchers noted improvements in body composition, fat distribution and metabolic health in response to an eight-week very low-carbohydrate diet. Older adults with obesity are at particularly high risk of developing cardiometabolic disease such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Rather than total fat mass, deposition of fat in certain areas, such as the abdominal cavity and skeletal muscle, may confer this greatest risk of disease development.

Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Relationship between COVID-19 deaths and morbid obesity

The prevalence of morbid obesity in a population is associated with negative outcomes from COVID-19, according to a new analysis of morbid obesity data and reported COVID-19 deaths in the United States.

Source: University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa

Research shows air pollution could play role in development of cardiometabolic diseases

Air pollution is the world's leading environmental risk factor, and causes more than nine million deaths per year. New research shows air pollution may play a role in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, such as diabetes. Importantly, the effects were reversible with cessation of exposure.

Source: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Generic public health messages work best at shifting dietary behaviors

A new health economics study warns that health information which offers specific advice tailored to individuals can inadvertently often backfire.

Source: University of Bath

Anorexia may stunt young women's growth

Girls with anorexia nervosa can have stunted growth and may not reach their full height potential, according to a new study.

Source: The Endocrine Society