A new study shows that about 14 percent of pregnant women between 35 and 44 reported having at least one drink within the previous 30 days, despite the risk drinking while pregnant entails. (Daniel Horacio Agostini/Flickr Creative Commons)
Here are the latest health headlines folks in South Los Angeles ought to know about:
Wary Doctors Put the 'Wait' in Weight Loss Drugs: Doctors' response to two recently FDA-approved diet drugs is mixed: Some have already been prescribing the drugs off-label for years, but others say weight-loss drugs' track records haven't been so great. | ABCNews.com
Menu labeling requirements lead to healthier options at chain restaurants: The Affordable Care Act cleared the way for national requirements on listing calories, fat content and sodium levels of menu items at the point of purchase, all aimed at curbing obesity. Now a new study has found some evidence of improvement, but notes there's still a long way to go: 56 percent of entrees exceeded the recommended level for one-third of an adult's daily needs; 77 percent exceeded saturated fat guidelines and almost 90 percent exceeded sodium guidelines. | Press release, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Whooping cough outbreak hits nation, but California has been fortunate: The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of cases of whooping cough nationwide has doubled compared to this time last year, which has U.S. health officials bracing themselves for the worst outbreak in more than 50 years. But in California, the outlook isn't so bleak – the state had an epidemic in 2010 and that epidemic is on the decline. Still, health officials recommend the full series of whooping cough shots for kids, beginning at age two. | KPCC
Older U.S. women more likely to drink while pregnant, study shows: A study shows that about 14 percent of pregnant women between 35 and 44 reported having at least one drink within the previous 30 days, compared to about eight percent of all pregnant women and just about five percent for women between 18 and 24. It also found that women with college degrees were much more likely to drink during pregnancy, which can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and lifelong disabilities for a child. | Reuters
Simple Measures May Curb Excessive Weight Gain in Pregnancy: Echoing the advice of doctors for all people, pregnant or not, a study finds that healthy eating and low-to-moderate levels of exercise can help pregnant women avoid excessive weight gain, which in turn could help reduce her kid's risk of being overweight or obese later in life. | HealthDay
In utero exposure to diesel exhaust a possible risk factor for obesity: A new study suggests a link between children's exposure to diesel fumes in the womb and their weight later in life. One researcher said pregnant women "might think twice about opening the car windows" on a long drive to work. | Press release, FASEB Journal
Fatal Car Crashes Less Likely in Major Cities, CDC Study Finds: It may seem counterintuitive, but the death rate from motor vehicle crashes in America's 50 biggest cities is lower than the nation's overall rate – about eight deaths versus about 11 deaths, respectively, per 100,000 people. Researches said crash death rates are higher in "sprawling metropolitan areas than in compact metropolitan areas." While Los Angeles has plenty of dense areas, especially on the southside, it more than embodies urban sprawl. | HealthDay
Photo by Daniel Horacio Agostini via Flickr Creative Commons.
