KNIGHT WATCH

IS THE MOM-ENTUM OF WOMEN CHANGING?

The world’s best place to be a mom is Norway. That’s according to Save the Children’s 2011 rankings. The rankings were based on risk of maternal death, use of contraception, skilled attendants at birth and female life expectancy. Norway had the lowest, infant mortality rate. Out of 164 countries Afghanistan – with poor access to skilled attendants at birth and low female life expectancy – was ranked last. Out of 43 developed countries, the U.S. was ranked 31. That was primarily due to losing more newborns than most other developed countries. Obviously, the U.S. is "pregnant with possibility" for improvement.

Although pregnant with possibility, white women in the U.S. are more likely not to be moms than women of other races or ethnicities. When 44 was used as the age for the end of childbearing, 20.6% of white women were childless, 17.2% of Blacks, 15.9% of Asians and 12.4% of Hispanics. Data from the 2010 Census also showed that 55% of women who had a child the previous year were in the workforce, 23% had family incomes of at least $75,000 and 21% had family incomes under $20,000. This is Census Bureau “baby talk”.

According to a study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, moms whose babies are breastfed for at least 4 months are less likely to develop major behavior problems in childhood – such as lying, stealing, being anxious or hyperactive. When researchers collected data on more than 10,000 infants born in 2000 and 2001, 16% of formula-fed babies developed behavior problems by age 5 compared to 6% of breastfed babies. This was attributed to either fatty acids in breast milk aiding brain development or to strong bonding between mother and child. This is another reason why new mothers are expected to be on their “breast behavior”.

However, mom’s problems with feeding don’t end after breastfeeding. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, children who share meals with their families at least 3 times a week are 24% likelier to eat more healthfully. Researchers examined 17 previous studies involving 182,836 children ages 2-17. They found that children who had at least 3 family meals weekly decreased the risk of being overweight by 12%, of eating unhealthy food regularly by 20% and of having an eating disorder by 35%. They were also likelier to eat breakfast. When eating, however, families must be careful to talk – not “chew the fat”.

 

DO GOOD IDEAS GROW ON TREES?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a natural insect repellent – one that doesn’t contain the chemical DEET. It’s made from nootkatone, an essential oil found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and citrus fruit. Because it actually kills insects, it can also be used as an environmentally friendly insecticide. Because it’s volatile and breaks down quickly, it won’t contaminate soil or have a high impact on non-target insects, such as bees and butterflies. It’s non-toxic, non-greasy, dries quickly, smells like grapefruit and can be added to soaps and sunscreens. It’s a bug repellent that won’t “bug”.

“Clean the World” is an Orlando-based nonprofit founded in 2009 that recycles many of the 1 million bars of used hotel soap that are thrown away every day. Clean the World started with 80 Orlando hotels and in 2011 signed an agreement with Starwood’s 500 North American hotels for approximately 1.6 million pounds of soap a year. Clean the World provides collection bins to the hotels. The collected soap is taken to 1 of 4 recycling plants, sterilized and turned into 2-ounce bars – 10,000 bars a day. Clean the World then distributes the bars to domestic shelters and more than 40 countries. It’s “one hand washing another”.

When Galia Slayen, an eating disorder survivor, was in high school, she made a life-size Barbie doll as part of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. If Barbie were an actual woman, she would be 5’9” tall, have a 39” bust, an 18” waist, 33” hips and a size 3 shoe. Slayen estimates Barbie would weigh 110 pounds and have a body mass index of 16.24 – under 17 being linked to anorexia. Because of her pencil-thin legs and freakishly disproportioned body, Barbie would have to walk on all fours. Obviously, Barbie “toys” with young girls’ perception of beauty.

Retailers have several ideas that are good for them because they get us to spend more money. For example, when there isn’t a dollar sign in front of a price – such as on expensive restaurant menus – we spend more. When 5 items are offered for $5, it’s another way of advertising 1 for $1 – we don’t have to buy all 5 items.  Finally, prices ending in 9, 99 or 95 are called “charm prices” because we’ve been culturally conditioned to associate 9-ending prices with better deals. It seems that when we are shopping, there’s buy and there’s “bye”.

 

IS THE U.S. AN ABBREVIATED US?

According to Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2011 survey, New Orleans is the best city for people-watching – and not just during Mardi Gras. Savannah was second because of its leisurely strolling, notable neighborhoods and pedestrian friendliness. The casualness and friendliness of Honolulu, as well as its emphasis on outdoor activities, was third. New York City, “the city that never sleeps”, was fourth and Las Vegas, “the sin city”, was fifth. Although Dallas/Fort Worth was ranked thirty-fifth, those Texans take that as a comment on their normalcy. However, because 29 other cities were also ranked, you may have been watched too.

If you’re watching for millionaires in the U.S., the best place to go in 2010 was Connecticut. According to a graph appearing on the LIFEINC. Website, Connecticut had the highest density of millionaires - 14.2%. Massachusetts was second (13.9%), followed by New Jersey (13.7%), District of Columbia (11.1%), Hawaii (10.8%) and New York (10.4%). In 2020 California, Texas, New York and Florida are predicted to have the most millionaires and the Midwest the fewest. However, by 2020 New Jersey is expected to have the highest density of millionaires – 24.6%. Perhaps it’s time to start digging in the “Garden State”.

When it comes to the world’s top 10 travel destinations in 2011, New York City – with its famous landmarks, hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis and unusual shops – was sixth. That’s according to TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Destination Awards, an online poll of millions of the Website’s users. Cape Town’s beautiful scenery, great wine and gorgeous weather earned it first place. Sydney, popular to both city slickers and beach bums, was second. Then came Machu Picchu, third; Paris, fourth; Rio de Janeiro, fifth; Rome, seventh; London, eighth; Barcelona, ninth; and Hong Kong, tenth. Maybe the “Big Apple” just needs to be polished.

Although Gwyneth Paltrow named her first child “Apple” in 2004, in 2010 that name didn’t make the top 10 list of names for baby girls in the U.S. According to the Social Security Administration’s records, the most popular girls’ names were – in this order – Isabella, Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Madison, Chloe and Mia. For boys the 10 most popular baby names were Jacob, Ethan, Michael, Jayden, William, Alexander, Noah, Daniel, Aiden and Anthony. However, for the first time since 1954 the name Elvis didn’t make the top 1,000 names for baby boys – which could mean no more blue suede baby shoes.

 

ISN'T PAIN A FOUR-LETTER WORD?

The most prescribed drug in 2010 was for pain. According to IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, there were 131.2 million prescriptions for Vicodin. Pain affects 20%-30% of American adults and is twice as common in women. The second most prescribed drug was Zocor (94.1 million prescriptions), which is prescribed for high cholesterol. Approximately 36 million Americans have cholesterol high enough to more than double their risk of heart disease and stroke. Finally, the third most prescribed drug was Prinivil (87.4 million prescriptions), which is prescribed for out-of-control stress that contributes to high blood pressure. It seems Americans don’t think “well” of themselves.

Sleeping can cause pain in the neck. Stomach-sleeping – the unhealthiest position – causes neck and back pain, as well as wrinkles and saggy breasts. The fetal position isn’t recommended because of the same 4 reasons. Sleeping on your side is the second healthiest position. It reduces snoring and is also recommended for pregnant women, with the left side being ideal for blood flow. However, side-sleeping also causes wrinkles and saggy breasts. Back-sleeping is the healthiest position for your body and also most reduces acid reflux – but it increases snoring. Before deciding on a position, “sleep on it”.

Surprisingly, swearing reduces pain. Researchers at Keele University in the UK asked students to put their arms in a bucket of icy water while repeatedly saying a swear word. Then the students were asked to redo the experiment repeating a “harmless” word. When they were swearing, the students were able to keeps their arms in the icy water longer. For students who rarely swore, swearing was 4 times likelier to reduce pain. It seems swearing is an act of aggression, which triggers fight-or-flight instincts, which increase tolerance to pain. However, swearing doesn’t reduce “a pain in the neck”.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a 2011 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine linked prayer to pain relief. The study included Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus. Those who tended to take brief pauses throughout the day to pray or chant a mantra had lower blood levels of the stress hormones cortisol and noradrenalin, which have a corrosive effect on the body. Dr. Lynda Powell, chairman of preventative medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said she isn’t a religious person; but when it comes to the benefits of prayer, she’s a big believer. Let’s pray she’s right.

 

WHAT STUDIES RELATE TO RELATIONSHIPS?

Beware of staredowns. They are likelier to be initiated by controlling people. A study published in Psychological Science asked 40 volunteers (half men, half women) to look at 90 images of happy, angry or neutral-looking faces. When the images disappeared, the volunteers with the most controlling personalities spent more time looking where the angry faces had been. Supposedly, dominant people reflectively maintain eye contact when confronted with social aggression. This automatic preparedness for a staring contest can be traced back to the animal kingdom when a break in eye contact meant vulnerability. Maybe intimidation needs to be spelled with only 2 “eyes”.

Men’s fingers usually indicate if they’re married or single. However, the Web site Rent did a 2011 survey of single males that might show why some are still single. For example, 47% pay a mortgage, 39% rent and 14% live with family or friends. In fact, 46% of adult, single men under age 25 live rent-free. Regarding the conventional wisdom that housing costs should be about 25% of a monthly budget, 38% spent 25%-50% and 7% spent more than 50%. Finally, an impressive 87% claimed to clean their own apartment; but 5% relied on mom. Perhaps this survey is a description of “single-mindedness”.

Men’s fingers also indicate how handsome they are. That’s according to a study done at the University of Geneva. The relationship is a ratio called “2D:4D” because it compares the  length of the second digit (index finger) on the right hand with the fourth digit (ring finger). It seems the more testosterone males are exposed to as fetuses, the more the fourth digit grows and the more attractive the face becomes. To test the theory 49 female college students judged pictures of 49 male college students. The males with higher 2D:4D ratios were “fingered” as more attractive.

Finally, there’s a new phenomenon in relationships – “grandpuppies”. Evolutionary biologists say the relationship between humans and dogs dates back at least 14,000 years. Dogs have gone from protector, to hunter, to companion. Because women in the 21^st century are waiting longer to have children, dogs are now filling the family roles of both child and grandchild. Some grandpuppies have Facebook pages. Others have Skype visits with their grandparents. Retailers are selling t-shirts, dog bowls, note cards, mouse pads and coffee cups with grandpuppy images on them. It seems the grandparents of grandpuppies can be “dogged” in their devotion.

 

ARE WE FORGETTING ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S?

A redefinition of Alzheimer’s was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The 1984 definition defined it in one stage and assumed those without symptoms didn’t have the disease. In 2011 Alzheimer’s is defined as a “spectrum disease” in 3 stages. The first and second stages – “Preclinical” and “Mild Cognitive Impairment” – are basically for research. The third stage is “Dementia Because of Alzheimer’s”. The purpose of defining Alzheimer’s in 3 stages is to detect and treat the disease sooner. However, it couldn’t be soon enough for the 5.4 million Americans already diagnosed.

Brain size is linked to Alzheimer’s. In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers tracked 52 people in their 70’s who had mild cognitive impairment – a condition believed to precede Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Brain scans were given over a 6-year period. The participants who experienced brain shrinkage were likelier to develop Alzheimer’s. Those with the most shrinkage were 3 times likelier to develop the disease. Although 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s in 2011, that number could be 16 million by 2050. Brain scans can’t stop Alzheimer’s, but they can start treatment sooner.

Not being able to recognize sarcasm or lies is also linked to dementia. In a study presented to the American Academy of Neurology, 175 older volunteers – more than half of whom had neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Lou Gehrig’s disease – watched videos of 2 people talking. The healthy volunteers could recognize verbal and non-verbal cues of insincerity. Those with neurodegenerative disease couldn’t – which makes them easy prey for scams. It seems the neurodegenerative process responsible for dementia also causes deterioration in brain areas responsible for detecting insincere speech. Thus not detecting it is a predictor of dementia – or of being “very blond”.

However, preventing dementia starts way before symptoms appear. Being overweight in middle age is linked to dementia later in life. Research also published in the journal Neurology analyzed data from about 9,000 Swedish twins. At an average age of 43 they provided their weight and height. Thirty years later they were tested for signs of decreasing thinking and memory skills. The approximately 33% who were overweight or obese in middle age had about an 80% greater risk of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. In fact, the more participants weighed in mid-life, the greater their risk of dementia. It seems what we do today  “weighs heavily” on later life.

 

WHAT'S THE SKINNY ON BEING OVERWEIGHT?

According to a Kaiser Permanente study, less stress and more sleep help you lose weight. People who got more than 6 hours of sleep but less than 8 and who had the lowest stress levels had the most success losing weight. Over a 26-week period 472 obese adults were counseled about lifestyle changes. They were also questioned about sleep time, depression, insomnia, screen time and stress. It seems people who are not impeded by sleep deprivation, stress or depression are likelier to lose weight. Darn! Getting the right amount of sleep and stress reduction is depressing itself!

However, if you want to improve your memory, a study published in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases suggests losing weight. Researchers analyzed memory tests taken by 150 obese people – average weight 300 pounds. Of that group 109 had bariatric surgery – primarily gastric bypass surgery. After 12 weeks all the participants took the memory tests again. The surgery patients – who had lost an average of 50 pounds – showed improvement in multiple cognitive abilities, including memory. Those who didn’t have surgery showed a mild decline in memory. It seems improving memory by losing weight is a “weight off your mind”.

Because the Coast Guard wanted to get a weight off its mind, it is reducing the number of people allowed on ferries, sightseeing boats and other small passenger vessels operating in U.S. waters because Americans have gained weight. Since the early 1960’s the average weight used to calculate maximum occupancy was 160 pounds. As of December 1, 2011 it will be 185 pounds. A vessel rated for 16,000 pounds had been able to carry 100 passengers. Under the new rule it can carry 86. The concern is vessel stability. Small, commercial boats could capsize if too many heavy passengers moved to one side. Obviously, heavy passengers aren’t in “shipshape”.

If liposuction is your plan for getting in shipshape, you may want to reconsider. In 2011 liposuction is the most popular plastic surgery with more than 450,000 operations yearly. However, a study published in Obesity showed the fat comes back. Non-obese women were randomly chosen to have liposuction on their thighs and lower abdomen. Within 1 year the 1 pound of fat that had been removed came back in new places – usually the upper abdomen, shoulders and triceps. Every time fat cells die, new ones form. Mother Nature has put fat in fate.

 

WHAT DO NUMBERS SAY ABOUT AMERICANS?

More Americans have cell phone-only homes. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of homes with only a wireless phone – no landline – doubled from 2008 to 2011 to 26.6%. That increase was seen in every state – from 12.8% in Rhode Island to 35.2% in Arkansas. The increase is attributed to 3 factors. Affordability: tight budgets don’t allow both a cell phone and a landline. Age: 44% of Americans ages 18-30 are wireless only. Renters: 47% are wireless only, allowing them to be more mobile. It seems Americans are “cell-ebrating”.

There are approximately 77 million baby boomers in America – people born between 1946 and 1964 – and they start turning 65 in 2011. According to an AP-LifeGoesStrong poll, nearly 50% of boomers work for a younger boss, but 61% don’t find age an issue at work. In fact, 25% said age was an asset. Sixty-six percent will work at least part-time after retirement age because they need to or because they want extra spending money. However, 29% want to continue working to keep busy. Happily, 71% of boomers are satisfied with their job – which means only 29% of boomers have been “boomeranged”.

Bank of America’s U.S. Trust surveyed people with more than $3 million in investible assets. About 75% said their money was the result of their hard work. About 50% said their success came at the expense of their personal lives for the primary purpose of their family’s financial security. More than 50% of the 457 parents hadn’t disclosed their wealth to their children. In fact, nearly 50% said they didn’t plan to leave money to their children. Nearly 66% said they didn’t think their children could handle any inheritance – which makes one wonder who raised those children.

And finally, in 2010, according to Forbes Magazine, New York City was the most expensive American city to visit with an average nightly room rate of $194.14. Honolulu ($158.95) was second. Boston ($154.62), easy driving distance from big population centers, was third. Santa Barbara ($143.33) and Monterey ($131.93) – fourth and tenth respectively – replaced San Diego and San Francisco on the list. Washington D.C. ($140.33) fifth and Miami ($139.58) sixth are list regulars. Conventions made Chicago ($133.93) seventh and scenery and culture made Idaho Falls ($132.53) eighth. New Orleans ($132.27), ninth, was the comeback city – but all the cities are on the list because we come back.

 

HOW DO AMERICANS MEASURE UP?

Approximately 9% of American adults suffer from phobias and about 33% of those receive treatment – often cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy changes the way the brain thinks about a specific phobic object. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 40 acrophobics received either placebos or small doses of the stress hormone cortisol. When treated with a virtual-reality therapy that simulated a ride in an outdoor elevator, those given the cortisol were better able to focus their minds and understand they weren’t going to fall. They achieved a new kind of “high-mindedness”.

40 million Americans suffer from indoor-outdoor allergies, which are the 5^th leading chronic disease in the U.S. For 9 years the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has released a list of the 100 worst U.S. cities for spring allergies. In 2011 Knoxville, Tennessee topped the list followed by Louisville, Kentucky; Charlotte, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Birmingham, Alabama. The ranking is based on 3 factors: tree pollen prevalence, number of allergy medications used by residents in the area and number of allergy specialists in the area. Obviously, this ranking is “nothing to sneeze at”.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 53% of adult Americans took dietary supplements in 2006. The 11% increase from 1988 has made supplements a $27 billion industry. Unlike prescription drugs, the safety and effectiveness of multivitamins, minerals and herbs don’t have to be proven to the Food and Drug Administration. Multivitamins are the most popular supplement – taken by 39% of adult Americans. Sixty-one percent of women over age 60 take calcium and 56% take vitamin D – both for bone loss. However, because bitter orange and vitamin B5 are sold in health stores doesn’t mean they make you healthy.

In 2010 Gallop conducted a survey asking how Americans and people in 123 other countries rated their life and expectations for the next 5 years. One thousand people from each country were asked questions related to being well-rested, treated with respect, smiling/laughter, learning/interests, enjoyment, physical pain, worry, sadness, stress and anger. Most of the thriving populations were in Europe and the Americas – Denmark (72%), Sweden (69%), Canada (69%). Many of the non-thriving populations were in sub-Saharan Africa – Haiti (2%), Central African Republic (2%), Chad (1%). The United States ranked 12^th (59%). It seems for Americans thriving needs to be spelled with more “i’s”.

 

IS THERE NO END TO PARENTAL CONCERNS?

There’s a new reason parents should be concerned about pesticides. Exposure in the womb is linked to lower IQ scores. Three independent studies published in Environmental Health Perspectives used different subjects and different methods but arrived at similar conclusions. By age 9 children of women with the most exposure to pesticides known as organophosphates - commonly used on crops - scored an average of 7 points lower on IQ tests than children whose mothers had the least exposure. Researchers advise pregnant women to thoroughly wash produce or buy organic produce.  For unborn babies “doing what comes naturally” is best.

There’s also a new reason parents need to be concerned about their children’s screen time – television and computer. Too much screen time – and thus too little physical activity – can lead to narrower arteries, which is an early sign of high blood pressure and future heart disease. In an Australian study 1,492 children ages 6-7 had digital photographs taken of the arteries in the back of their eyes, as well as having their height, weight and blood pressure measured. Children active for more than 1 hour daily had arteries 2.2 microns wider, on average, than children active less then 30 minutes – another reason parents need to “screen” screen time.

Parents need to be concerned about their children’s wrist size too. In a study published in Circulation, 477 overweight and obese children and teenagers – average age 10 – had their wrists and insulin levels measured. The children with larger wrist bone measurements had higher insulin resistance, a condition that occurs when the body makes insulin it can’t use efficiently to break down blood sugar. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for heart disease. According to the researchers, an increased amount of insulin acts as a growth factor on bone. It means “big boned” can be a big deal.

Finally, parents need to be concerned about their children getting enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teenagers average 7.5 hours of sleep on weeknights – 2 hours less than recommended for adolescents. During adolescence the brain uses sleep hours to construct critical connections to the frontal lobes – connections that help control impulses, make long-term decisions and sort out complicated priorities – abilities related to many teenage problems. The problems of attention deficit disorder, depression, infection and obesity are also directly related to teens’ lack of sleep – which can be indirectly related to parents’ lack of sleep.