Research: Belly Fat Not Linked To Visceral Fat

Reckless Gamers More Likely To Be Reckless Drivers

Teens who play recklessly in the virtual world may drive recklessly in the real world.

A study examined the effects of mature, or M, rated video games, on those young drivers. Teens who played these kinds of games were more likely to be stopped by police, get in auto accidents, drink and drive, and not wear a seatbelt, among other things.

Playing such games was not only associated with risky behavior, it increased it.

Weight Lifting Reduces Diabetes Risk

Men who do weight training consistently may reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Add aerobic exercise to their routine, and their risk may drop even more. Researchers followed 32,000 men for two decades, adjusting results for other lifestyle factors. Men who did at least 150 minutes of weight training a week cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 30 percent.

Frank Hu is a professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

"Men who did aerobic exercise and weight training, their risk was reduced by more than 60 percent."

Hu suggests men include both aerobic and weight training into their daily lives, to get the most benefit.

The study in Archives of Internal Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Arsonists Kill 280 in US Annually

The U.S. Fire Administration issued a special report last week examining the characteristics of intentionally set fires in residential buildings. An estimated 16,800 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occur annually in the U.S. These fires result in an estimated average of 280 deaths, 775 injuries and $593 million in property loss each year.

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

Advice For Quiting

Any smoker can quit. It can be tough, but it's doable.

Dr. Thomas Frieden is the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Get ready by setting a quit date, getting rid of all cigarettes and ash trays in your environment, not being around people who smoke for a few days, and once you quit, don't smoke, not even a puff."

Next, get help.

"Have friends and others who are trying to quit, quit with you, a quit buddy."

And, get real.

"Be realistic about what's going to work, and understand that it may not work the first time."

Smokers who try to quit can double or triple their chances by getting counseling, medicine, or both.

Talk to your doctor and call 1-800-QUIT NOW for free help.

Learn more at www.healthfinder.gov.

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