Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Two Thirds of Baby Foods in US Grocery Stores Are Unhealthy, Study Shows

• What Made You Start Your Weight Loss Journey?

• Skin Cancer Incidence in Young Adults Declines: the Risk of Skin Cancer, Malignant Melanoma, Now Appears to Be Decreasing in Sweden in Those Under 50

• A Romantic Partner’s Drinking Habits Are Related to Relationship Satisfaction and Mental Health Among Young Adults | The Study Finds That When Young Men Perceive Their Partner as Having Problematic Drinking Behavior, They Are More Likely to Report Increased Symptoms of Depression

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Two Thirds of Baby Foods in US Grocery Stores Are Unhealthy, Study Shows

A recent study has revealed that many baby foods at local grocery stores are not as healthy as they seem. A study in the journal Nutrients found that 60% of baby and toddler foods do not meet nutritional standards. Even more, none follow the promotional guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The George Institute for Global Health analyzed 651 products from the top US grocery chains. The results were concerning. Seventy percent of these foods lacked enough protein. Forty-four percent had too much sugar. Twenty percent had too much sodium. This is worrying because young children's early years are key for growth and developing healthy eating habits.

Dr. Elizabeth Dunford from The George Institute warned about processed foods for young children. "Early childhood is when dietary habits start. These habits can lead to serious diseases like obesity and diabetes later in life," she explained. Busy schedules may blind parents to the truth. Many quick food options lack key nutrients. They are often falsely marketed as healthier.

The study found that 99.4% of baby foods had misleading, unhealthy claims on their packaging. These findings show a strong need for better rules and guidelines for baby food in the United States to ensure the health of future generations.

Source: eurekalert.org

WEIGHT LOSS

What Made You Start Your Weight Loss Journey?

During the pandemic, Lucy and her friend Ali noticed they were eating more and exercising less. “I was stressed and ate my feelings,” Lucy said. “I stopped exercising,” Ali added. They realized they were gaining weight fast.

Lucy had always struggled with her weight. At her highest, she weighed over 170 pounds. But during the pandemic, she decided to make a change. She recorded a video of her weight loss journey, which surprised even her when she watched it. “I was shocked at my transformation,” Lucy explained. Her video went viral, inspiring over 12 million people.

In six months, Lucy lost 35 pounds by eating more protein, lifting weights, and doing yoga. Ali also lost 32 pounds, inspired by Lucy’s hard work. “Lucy inspired me to get back to feeling good about myself,” Ali said.

Now a fitness trainer, Lucy started a program called “Grip Fit” to help others. Both women believe it’s never too late to start. “Find your reason why you want to change and remember, it’s never too late to be a better you,” Lucy says.

Their story shows that with support and determination, anyone can regain their confidence and feel strong again. Lucy and Ali’s journey proves that taking that first step towards a healthier life is possible at any age.

Source: ABC Action News

HEALTH

Skin Cancer Incidence in Young Adults Declines: the Risk of Skin Cancer, Malignant Melanoma, Now Appears to Be Decreasing in Sweden in Those Under 50

Great news from Sweden: fewer young people under 50 are getting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. This is the first time in Europe we're seeing this drop, which is promising for everyone's health.

Hildur Helgadottir from the Karolinska Institutet says that, since 2015, fewer young adults are getting this serious skin disease. But for those over 50, the numbers are still going up. The study also shows that fewer young people are dying from skin cancer. This is due to new treatments and fewer cases.

Why are these numbers dropping? Helgadottir and her team think it's because of several important changes:

1. More Awareness: 1990s campaigns taught kids to stay safe in the sun. Now, those adults are getting sick less.

2. Tougher Rules on Sunbeds: Fewer sunbeds and rules against using them under age 18 have helped.

3. Indoor Time: With more technology, young people are inside more instead of out in the sun.

4. Diverse Population: More people in Sweden now have naturally darker skin, which handles the sun better.

Helgadottir reminds us that even though it's fall, the sun can still be strong. It’s important to keep protecting ourselves from the sun to keep these numbers going down. This will help young people stay healthy and could eventually help older adults too.

Source: eurekalert.org

A Romantic Partner’s Drinking Habits Are Related to Relationship Satisfaction and Mental Health Among Young Adults | The Study Finds That When Young Men Perceive Their Partner as Having Problematic Drinking Behavior, They Are More Likely to Report Increased Symptoms of Depression

Does your partner’s drinking make you feel worse about your relationship and yourself? A new study looks at young men and finds that if they think their partner drinks too much, they often feel more depressed.

Here’s what the study, done with young adults at a university, shows about how men are affected differently from women when it comes to alcohol:

1. Young Adults and Alcohol: A lot of young people, especially in college, drink alcohol. More than half of those between 18 to 25 years old have had a drink in the last month.

2. Men’s Mental Health: Men who believe their partners have a drinking problem tend to feel more depressed. This isn’t as common in women.

3. Anxiety and Feeling Good in a Relationship: Drinking doesn’t seem to increase anxiety. However, men feel more anxious and less happy with their relationships when both they and their partners drink a lot.

This study helps us understand how young adults view their partners' drinking. It also examines its effects on their feelings and relationships, especially for men.

The study is based on students' self-reports. It shows what was happening at one point in time. Future research could look more at how these issues develop over time and could lead to ways to help those affected.

Source: psypost.org

✢ 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.