Salty Snacks: Size Matters

Do you appreciate a comforting hug at the end of a stressful day, or a gentle stroke on your shoulders when you are feeling down in the dumps? You may relate to the positive reinforcement that comes with consensual touch, but the question remains can touch really help you to feel better, and does it matter who or what the hug comes from or how they touch you? 

A study recently published in Circulation describes how adults with heart disease risks who received daily reminders or incentives to become more active increased their daily steps by more than 1,500 steps after a year, and many continue to stick with their new habit, according to the study supported by the NIH, the findings of which were presented as late-breaking research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Session.

Doing the majority of exercise and physical activity in the evening has been linked to the greatest health benefits for those with obesity, according to a recent study of 30,000 people enrolled in the UK Biobank who were followed for over close to 8 years published in the journal Diabetes Care that was carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia. 

Weight training has been shown to help reduce body fat and increase both muscle strength and mass in older people, contributing to functional autonomy (the ability to perform the various tasks required in daily life independently) and avoidance of falls and/or injury. A recent study published in the journal Psychiatry Research suggests that weight training can also benefit the mental health of older people.