Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 24. Credit: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
Suicidal kids have access to guns
Location of study:U.S.
Study subjects:524 patients aged 10-21 with physical or mental health issues
Results:A new report, to be released Monday at the Pediatric Academic Societies’ annual meeting, finds that almost 20 percent of children and teens at risk for suicide live in homes where a gun is on the premises, and have access to it.
Significance:The CDC says that suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 24 in the U.S. About 50 percent of those suicides involve a firearm.
High-protein, low-carb diets affect fertility
Location of study: U.S.
Study subjects: 120 women undergoing IVF treatment
Results: New research presented at the recent American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ annual meeting touted the benefit of a high protein diet on a woman’s fertility. The study found that those women whose diets included 25 percent or more of protein and under 40 percent carbohydrates quadrupled their chances of becoming pregnant.
Significance: The researchers concluded that protein both produced healthier eggs and that although higher body mass index has been indicated in women with lower fertility, poor quality eggs were found in thin women, too.
Americans not exercising enough
Location of study: U.S.
Study subjects: Americans
Results: Nearly 80 percent of Americans do not exercise enough, a new report from the CDC says. Only 29.3 percent of Americans did enough muscle-strengthening exercise to the recommended level and only 51.6 percent of those who did aerobics reached the same standard.
Significance: The CDC recommends people walk two and a half hours per week (or jog one hour and fifteen minutes), plus do calisthenic exercises like situps and pushups at least twice a week.
