BackAddicted to video games? Kiss your sleep goodbye
Suicide is the leading cause of death in youngsters and junk foods can damage your kidneysstudies and research tips for a healthier you
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Eating junk food can damage kidneys
Eating junk food can have similar outcomes on the kidneys as caused by diabetes, a British study claims. Researchers from Anglia Rushkin University conducted a study on rats where they fed them junk food with high amounts of cheese, chocolate bars, biscuits and marshmallows for 8 weeks. When the researchers compared the effect of a high fat diet on the kidneys with the changes seen in rats suffering from diabetes, they found that a high fat diet and a junk food diet caused a similar increase in glucose transporters in the kidneys. Long term accumulation of sugar in the blood can damage other organs, including the kidneys. The study was published in Experimental Physiology. Read more here.
E-cigarette poisoning can be fatal for children
Smoking e-cigarettes may harm a young smoker gradually but the chemical used inside it poses serious health hazards if swallowed, a US study suggests. Researchers from Injury Research and Policy analysed poisoning-related data gathered between 2012 and 2015 and found that 14% of the 29,000 calls made by people were caused by children’s exposure to nicotine or tobacco. The nicotine present in e-cigarettes can be very harmful and lead to severe complications such as coma, seizure and even death. The researchers found when children have access to e-cigarettes the risk of hospital admittance increases by many times. The study was published in the journal Paediatrics. Read more here.:
Video game addiction can lead to insomnia
Youngsters addicted to video games face greater risk of sleep deprivation, obesity and cardiovascular disease, a US study warns. Researchers from McMaster and California State University studied a group of youngsters in the age group of 10 to 17 who were enrolled in lifestyle management programmes for weight management or lipid disorders. The study looked at whether the video game habits of the group had an impact on sleep habits, obesity and cardiovascular health. The findings revealed that addiction to video games leads to shorter sleep which, in turn, leads to high blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglycerides. The study was published in the scientific journal PLOS One. Read more here.
Smartphone alerts can lead to attention deficit and hyperactivity
Full-time proximity to smartphones and tablets increases risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a US study suggests. Researchers from University of Virginia carried out a two-week-long study on 221 college students. The students were asked to keep notification alerts on, and their phones within easy reach in the first week. In the second week they were asked to minimize phone interruptions by keeping alerts off and their phones away. The findings showed that when students kept their phones on ring or vibrate, they reported more symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity than when they kept their phones on silent. Read more here.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in the early 20s
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among youngsters in the age group of 10 to 24, a global study shows. Researchers from Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Well-being pointed out that rising levels of obesity and mental health disorders, high unemployment, and the risk of radicalisation poses significant pressure on the younger generation. The report points out that suicides, road injuries, tuberculosis and depressive disorders were among the top four risk factors for health loss among youngsters in the country. The researchers found that the most effective solutions to adolescent health can be found in sectors beyond health services such as guaranteeing access to free and high quality secondary education. Read more here.
Compiled by Abhijit Ahaskar
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