Researchers reported Tuesday that they have linked 180,000 obesity-related deaths worldwide to sugary drinks, including about 25,000 adult Americans.

Overall, 1 in 100 deaths of obese people globally can be blamed on too many sweetened beverages, according to a study presented at an American Heart Association scientific conference in New Orleans. Mexico leads the 35 largest nations in deaths attributable to over-consumption of sugary drinks, with the United States third. Japan, which has one of the lowest per-capita consumptions of sugary drinks, had the fewest sugar-related deaths.

In New Orleans, the Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Crescent City Beacon Community are striving to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes through the txt4health program. Txt4health is a mobile health information service designed to help people understand their risk for type 2 diabetes and become more informed about the steps they can take to lead healthy lives.

Click here to read the full story.

New research shows that an age-old recommended stress-buster may actually work for this group of women: yoga.

Pregnant women who were identified as psychiatrically high risk and who participated in a 10-week mindfulness yoga intervention saw significant reductions in depressive symptoms, according to a University of Michigan Health System pilot feasibility study. Mothers-to-be also reported stronger attachment to their babies in the womb.

Check out the full story here.

While the effects of alcohol abuse are well known, “binge drinking is an important and under-recognized women’s health issue,” according to Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent report looked at the drinking behavior of approximately 278,000 U.S. women aged 18 and older and 7,500 U.S. high school girls, and found that:

• 1 in 8 women and 1 in 5 high school girls report binge drinking;
• half of all high school girls who drink alcohol report binge drinking;
• drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 23,000 deaths among women and girls in the U.S. each year; and
• 14 million U.S. women binge drink three times a month and consume an average of six drinks per binge.

Click here to read the full story.

The nation’s early flu season continues to grow in the U.S., with no sign yet of a peak in the spread of coughing, achy, feverish illness, health officials said recently. Twenty-nine states and New York City reported high levels of flu activity, up from 16 states and NYC the previous week. Flu was widespread in 41 states, up from 31 states, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of the week ending Dec. 29, 2,257 people had been hospitalized with flu, and 18 children had died from complications of the illness, CDC reported.

Click here to read the full story from MSNBC.

Do you ever get tired of going to a bar or event and leaving smelling like an ash tray? If so, check out this great resource from TFL’s Let’s Be Totally Clear site for smoke-free events and venues throughout the state of Louisiana. Its updated frequently, so check back from time to time to see what’s going on in your area!

Click here for smoke-free events.

Click here for smoke-free venues.

Do you have bloating, gas, upset stomach, abdominal cramping, and discomfort after eating? Poor eating habits, such as inadequately chewing food, eating late in the day and “eating on the run” can wreak havoc on your digestive system by causing inadequate production of digestive enzymes.

Did you know that sitting too long can cause blood clots and increases the risk of high blood pressure? Adults are encouraged to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day to alleviate the negative health affects a sedentary lifestyle can produce.

Check out this great infographic from CBC that highlights how sitting too long can wreak havoc on your body.

To read the full CBS article, click here.

Join the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and other sponsors in Ride New Orleans’ Employer Challenge for the 3rd annual Transit Week November 11-17, 2012!

Ride New Orleans is challenging the New Orleans business community to support public transit, biking and walking by asking their employees to leave their cars at home in turn for trying transit at least once during the week. The benefits of promoting a transit commute to your employees can translate to tax credits, increased productivity, reduced parking costs and attracting
new, creative talent to your business. Click here for more info on the benefits of the transit commute!

Businesses and individuals can get involved by signing the pledge by 10/26/12.

Panic is an overreaction to a real (or even imagined) problem. It is a natural startle reaction that gets exaggerated and becomes prolonged. People often learn to panic because, in early childhood, panic can get us out of responsibilities. However, living with panic or anxiety every day can create a shutdown of feelings, so you’re in a state of shock. You cannot think clearly, make good responses or decisions.

Click here to read a great article from psychcentral.com that features several ways to help recognize and cope with anxiety.

A new study suggests that being physically inactive can be as hazardous to our health as smoking. While researchers differ on specifics, they all point to the fact that laziness and resulting obesity can be linked to similar health hazards and even death, just as tobacco use.

Check out the full story here.