A recent survey conducted by the American Public Health Association may suggest that participation in organized team sports may relats to increased "bad behavior" in high school students. The 2007 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey analyzes the responses to over 13,000 high school students. About 60% of boys and 48% of girls reported being on one or more team in the last year. The rsults of the survey were that for males, sports resulted in a decreased risk of depression and smoking, but an increased risk of fighting and binge drinking. For girls, the results showed that association in sports resulted in a decreased risk in fighting, depression, cigarette use, mrijuana use, and unhealthy weight loss. For girls, there was no real correlation between sports and drinking.
Personally, I think that this study should not focus on the fact that the individuals play team sports. I am not saying that everything that happens among players on sports teams can be considered "good behavior" but I dont think that it is because of the sports that these players make bad decisions. If the study shows anything in my opinion, it is that players who play on teams together form bonds and friendships that sometimes are very tight. Because of this, if one player is making a bad decision it can easily bring down a good portion of their teammates. For example, if a teammate gets into a fight, mkore often than not, his or her teamate would be willing to fight by their side. The same goes for drinking. If there is a party at one of the players houses there are likely to be other players there. If one of them is drinking, or using drugs, there is a good chance more than one will be willing to join.
The issue here is not that of sports, it is of influence, peer pressure, and sociology. If anything, it can fall back on the parenting of those childern who make bad decisions in the first place that get others involved. Sport is not to blame for our sociaological issues, it is merely an avenue for these issues to be shown.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wash Up Doc!
A new Program out of Clarksville, MD is making doctors in offices and hospitals take time from their regular duties to wash their hands. One would think that this would be a normal practice for these doctors, however the general statistics are suprisingly alarming. The state estimates to spend $100,000 initiating this program in 2009 and 2010. However, The state also estimates saving a whopping $30 billion each year caused by care-aquired infection, which in turn increases health care costs for individuals.
I feel like doctors washing their hands should absolutely be a mandatory part of the job! If nothing less, it is simply common sense for the health of the doctors themselves. I do not see, though, how the government is going to spend $100,000 on thid program. Are they just going to buy soap and towels for these doctors offices? Will they pay the extra amount on the water bill that each office will use? To me this program sounds kind of silly because it seems like it sould already be in place; and enforced by office compliance regulations. I guess, either way, it is good that these PROFESSIONALS are actually being sanitary.
I feel like doctors washing their hands should absolutely be a mandatory part of the job! If nothing less, it is simply common sense for the health of the doctors themselves. I do not see, though, how the government is going to spend $100,000 on thid program. Are they just going to buy soap and towels for these doctors offices? Will they pay the extra amount on the water bill that each office will use? To me this program sounds kind of silly because it seems like it sould already be in place; and enforced by office compliance regulations. I guess, either way, it is good that these PROFESSIONALS are actually being sanitary.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Bug Spray Death: Law suit, or just plain stupidity?
A story from Columbia, SC yeaterday pinpoints the fact that a tem month old baby died because of the use of bug spray. A family living in a single wide trailor (consisting of a mother 25, a 2 year old, and the 10 month old) had significant pest problems, mostly concerning cockroaches. Being tired of the pest's prescence, the mother decided to use insect foggers in the house to get rid of them. Police recieved a 911 call last Sunday afternoon claimimg that the woman's youngest son was having trouble breathing. He was prounounced dead when he got the the hospital. The 2 year old was airlifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
The problem (allegedly) turned out to be the foggers that the family was using. While the mother followed the direction for proper use of the product, tradegy still struck. The reason that this happened is clear as day; pure stupidity! The foggers is intended to treat up to 6,000 square feet of space and to be used once a month. Also, the user is supposed to vacate the home for four hours, after covering all furniture. Then upon returning, poen all doors and windows for 1 hour before re-entry.
This family was actually living in the home the whole time that this process was taking place. It is no wonder that they encountered problems breathing anf their clothes had sticky residue all over them! The worst part was that the family was using two to three foggers at a time, and all of the cockreoches are still alive!
The problem (allegedly) turned out to be the foggers that the family was using. While the mother followed the direction for proper use of the product, tradegy still struck. The reason that this happened is clear as day; pure stupidity! The foggers is intended to treat up to 6,000 square feet of space and to be used once a month. Also, the user is supposed to vacate the home for four hours, after covering all furniture. Then upon returning, poen all doors and windows for 1 hour before re-entry.
This family was actually living in the home the whole time that this process was taking place. It is no wonder that they encountered problems breathing anf their clothes had sticky residue all over them! The worst part was that the family was using two to three foggers at a time, and all of the cockreoches are still alive!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Exercise shortcuts?
We've all seen these commercials for different products that claim to make exercising fun and not time consuming. Sometimes these products can be misleading. It is extremely easy for an uneducated person to fall into the trap that some of these "too good to be true" products may be. For example, there are numerous "abdominal belts" that stimulate abdominal muscles using electric impulses. It is hard for consumers to understand that they cannot typically spot-reduce body fat when all they see are muscle bound models using the porduct.
Other products that are on the market may help to build muscle, but may be uncomfortable. A good example of this is wrist and ankle weights. They are generally very bulky and ugly (for those who care about their apperance). They are something that really can only be worn around the house and it seems to me that people who do a lot of physical activity probably would not be the target audience for this type of product.
Being a very active person and a movement science major, it is easy for me to ridicule these products, but the truth is that many overweight people have a very sedentary lifestyle. However, they are the people who are buying these products thinking that they will be a miracle product. Basically, for lazy people, these products are a lose-lose situation because the products that do not require effort do not work like they are expected to, and the products that may actually work do require a fair amount of physical activity.
Other products that are on the market may help to build muscle, but may be uncomfortable. A good example of this is wrist and ankle weights. They are generally very bulky and ugly (for those who care about their apperance). They are something that really can only be worn around the house and it seems to me that people who do a lot of physical activity probably would not be the target audience for this type of product.
Being a very active person and a movement science major, it is easy for me to ridicule these products, but the truth is that many overweight people have a very sedentary lifestyle. However, they are the people who are buying these products thinking that they will be a miracle product. Basically, for lazy people, these products are a lose-lose situation because the products that do not require effort do not work like they are expected to, and the products that may actually work do require a fair amount of physical activity.
GROUND BEEF RECALL
A meat packaging/processing company has recently recalled over half a million pounds of ground beef that have been infected with E. Coli. this plant is in Ashville NY, in the southwestern portion of the state close to the Pennsylvania border. According to current headlines this outbreak has resulted in 2 deaths and 16 hospitalizations so far. This plant ships to many states fron Virginia to Maine, including Massachusetts. Also, in the past TWO YEARS this company has had two seperate recalls of smaller amount of meat due to E. coli and also plastic particles in the meat.
Personally, I think that this is an outrage! The American citizens are completely helpless when it comes to things like this. Most of us eat processed foods (especially meats) and there is really no way for us to know weather or not there portion that we are eating are safe. This does not only go for beef either. There have been a slew of incidents including chicken farms, and pork farms because of the soley econimic standpoint that these companies take while doing buisness.
It is because of the terrible living environment that these livestock have that cause them to develope diseases and problems with food. I think that it is unfair to consumers that they have to constantly worry about weather or not the food they are eating will kill them. There must be something done about the way that these companies do buisness or they should be completely shut down.
Personally, I think that this is an outrage! The American citizens are completely helpless when it comes to things like this. Most of us eat processed foods (especially meats) and there is really no way for us to know weather or not there portion that we are eating are safe. This does not only go for beef either. There have been a slew of incidents including chicken farms, and pork farms because of the soley econimic standpoint that these companies take while doing buisness.
It is because of the terrible living environment that these livestock have that cause them to develope diseases and problems with food. I think that it is unfair to consumers that they have to constantly worry about weather or not the food they are eating will kill them. There must be something done about the way that these companies do buisness or they should be completely shut down.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Cold Weather is Upon Us
It is really starting to get cold out there on the prctice field and during this time of year it is especially important to stay warm. Not only will you be more comfortable during your practices, but you will also be keeping you immune system strong so that you can hopefully avoid the inevitable fall cold. Student athletes should make sure that they are wearing the proper attire when the mercury starts to drop. This is including but not limited to any type of long sleeves under short sleeved uniforms, and also some type of long legged bottoms or long socks even. I know that sometimes it is hard to stay mobile and comfortable during our sports if we wear a ton of gear and clothes, but it is worth it in many ways.
It is not just student athletes that should be aware of the changing seasons. You should also be prepared if you play any scholastic intramurals, or even if you are just a regular student who spends a ot of time out doors. Staying warm in the fall and winter are essential to the health of the body and also to your general quality of life.
It is not just student athletes that should be aware of the changing seasons. You should also be prepared if you play any scholastic intramurals, or even if you are just a regular student who spends a ot of time out doors. Staying warm in the fall and winter are essential to the health of the body and also to your general quality of life.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Weight Loss Supplements
I recently read an article about a local woman who, after having three kids and experiencing the general stress of being a married working mom, had gained a reasonable amount of weight. She said at her heaviest she was weighing over 180lbs. After trying many of the brand name diets (ex Atkins, Jenny Craig, Nutri-Slim, Slim Fast, South Beach) she was not keeping any weight off. She would fluctuate between losing but then gaining 10-12 lbs.
She goes on to tell about seeing a Dr. Perricone on the "Rachel Ray" show one day who was advertising a product called Acai berries (in pill supplement form). These are a berry native to the Amazon region which are high in vitamins and nutrients. She writes about how she began to take this product with another called "Col-n X" which is designed to "remove thick built up sludge from the colon which can reduce the waist size by inches". She says that after maintaining this supplemental intake and dieting and exercising for the 30 day trial period she lost 32 lbs. On the show Dr. Perricone claimed that these supplements would shed pounds what could not be lost with diet and exercise alone. The diet resulted in a total weight loss of 47 lbs.
I have a hard time believing that these miracle supplements would be able to cause you to lose weight that diet and exercise would not. Also, in the article the woman has a before and after picture of herself and they are distinctly different. How could diet and exercise not play a part in the loss of weight in this individual? I cannot imagine that there was even close to 47lbs of biult uo sludge in this person's colon.
She goes on to tell about seeing a Dr. Perricone on the "Rachel Ray" show one day who was advertising a product called Acai berries (in pill supplement form). These are a berry native to the Amazon region which are high in vitamins and nutrients. She writes about how she began to take this product with another called "Col-n X" which is designed to "remove thick built up sludge from the colon which can reduce the waist size by inches". She says that after maintaining this supplemental intake and dieting and exercising for the 30 day trial period she lost 32 lbs. On the show Dr. Perricone claimed that these supplements would shed pounds what could not be lost with diet and exercise alone. The diet resulted in a total weight loss of 47 lbs.
I have a hard time believing that these miracle supplements would be able to cause you to lose weight that diet and exercise would not. Also, in the article the woman has a before and after picture of herself and they are distinctly different. How could diet and exercise not play a part in the loss of weight in this individual? I cannot imagine that there was even close to 47lbs of biult uo sludge in this person's colon.
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