Good morning. In today’s edition:

• More Than Half of Baby Foods in U.S. Fail WHO Nutrition Standards and Use Misleading Claims

• Weight-loss Drugs Like Ozempic Could Help Slow Biological Aging, Researchers Say

• Births in the U.S. Declined Again and More Pregnant Women Are Going Without Prenatal Care, a CDC Report Finds

• Mothers Shoulder the “Mental Load” of Housework – and It’s Impacting Their Well-being | According to the Study, Mothers Who Take on a More Disproportionate Share of Cognitive Household Labor Report Higher Levels of Depression, Stress, Relationship Dissatisfaction, and Burnout

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

More Than Half of Baby Foods in U.S. Fail WHO Nutrition Standards and Use Misleading Claims

A recent study reveals that over half of U.S. baby foods fail to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) nutritional guidelines. Researchers tested 651 baby food products from the top ten U.S. grocery chains. The results were alarming.

The WHO has set standards for marketing healthy foods for infants and toddlers (ages 6-36 months). However, 60% of these products did not meet WHO's nutritional needs. None followed the promotional guidelines properly. This means many foods labeled as healthy may not be good for children.

The study found 100% of products had a marketing claim that WHO advises against. Some items even had up to 11 misleading claims. For example, snacks in small packages often missed the mark the most when it came to nutrition. Foods that should be nutrient-rich for growth were instead high in sugars and low in proteins.

Interestingly, packaging also played a role in how foods were perceived. Pouch-packed foods, now popular, often fail to meet sugar guidelines. These pouches are convenient. But, they might harm early eating habits.

The findings underscore the need for stricter regulations in the U.S. baby food market. Parents and caregivers deserve clear, honest information to make the best choices for their children’s health. Ensuring that baby foods are both nutritious and advertised truthfully should be a priority for future policy changes.

Source: mdpi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight-loss Drugs Like Ozempic Could Help Slow Biological Aging, Researchers Say

Researchers say Ozempic, a drug for obesity, might help people live longer. This idea comes from new studies that found some unexpected benefits of the drug.

Ozempic, or semaglutide, has been tested in overweight people with heart issues but no diabetes. The results are promising. This drug reduced the risk of death from all causes, including heart disease and COVID-19.

Professor Harlan M. Krumholz from Yale School of Medicine commented on the results. He said that Ozempic might change how we treat heart health. It helps a lot with metabolic health. He suggested that by improving overall health, we might be able to slow down aging.

These insights come from a big study called the Select trial. It involved over 17,000 people aged 45 and up who were overweight. They were given either Ozempic or a fake drug (placebo) and were followed for more than three years.

The study found that Ozempic users had fewer heart problems. They also died less from infections, especially during COVID-19. While Ozempic users did catch COVID-19 at the same rate as others, fewer of them died from it.

This exciting research, shown at the European Society of Cardiology Conference 2024, suggests that drugs like Ozempic could really help people live longer and healthier lives.

Source: independent.co.uk

HEALTH

Births in the U.S. Declined Again and More Pregnant Women Are Going Without Prenatal Care, a CDC Report Finds

In the U.S., fewer babies are being born. More pregnant women are skipping prenatal care. This information comes from a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last year, about 3.6 million babies were born, which is 2% fewer than the year before. This decline continues a long trend that only paused briefly during the early COVID-19 years. The report also showed that the number of women who didn’t visit a doctor during pregnancy increased slightly from 2.2% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2023.

Experts are worried because skipping doctor visits can lead to undetected health problems. High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause severe issues like strokes or heart attacks. Dr. Kathryn Lindley of Vanderbilt University stresses the need for regular health checks for pregnant women. This can catch any problems early.

The drop in women getting prenatal care may be due to a lack of specialists, especially after the 2022 U.S. legal changes. Dr. Brenna Hughes of Duke University says it's hard to find prenatal care in many places. This discourages women from seeking the care they need.

The number of teenage girls having babies also dropped. This continues a good trend in reducing teenage pregnancies. However, births among 15 to 17-year-olds have not changed much since 2021.

This data shows how crucial it is for pregnant women to have access to healthcare to ensure their and their babies’ health.

Source: nbcnews.com

Mothers Shoulder the “Mental Load” of Housework – and It’s Impacting Their Well-being | According to the Study, Mothers Who Take on a More Disproportionate Share of Cognitive Household Labor Report Higher Levels of Depression, Stress, Relationship Dissatisfaction, and Burnout

In running a household, mothers often do more than their share. They handle not just the chores, but also the mental work to keep things running smoothly. A new study reveals this imbalance is harming their mental health.

This study looked at 322 mothers of young children. It examined how they shared household duties with their partners. It found that, while physical tasks were somewhat shared, mothers did most of the planning tasks. These included organizing schedules and anticipating needs.

The results were concerning. Mothers who did more of this cognitive work reported higher levels of depression, stress, and burnout. They also felt less satisfied in their relationships.

What does this mean? This invisible labor goes beyond just doing tasks. It involves constantly thinking and planning, which can be mentally exhausting. When one person, often the mother, takes on most of this work, it can affect her well-being and her relationships.

This study is a call to recognize the mental load mothers often carry. It’s important for both partners to share these responsibilities to help improve the mental health and well-being of mothers. By spreading the tasks more evenly, couples might improve their relationship. It could also help mothers feel less stressed and more supported.

Source: link.springer.com

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.