Factors such as climate change, widening distributions of host populations, and better clinician awareness are some of the main reasons for the geographic spread of Lyme disease over the past few months, according to recent data from epocrates.

Acey Albert, MD, director of clinical content at epocrates, is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics with 15 years of experience in outpatient primary care and medical group leadership. He was able to combine his interest of technology, medicine, and physician leadership as a part of the epocrates team.

Albert explained how there was an increased interest in Lyme disease incidence compared to 2020 among clinicians who use epocrates’ medical application this summer, which measured at a 90% increase YoY.

“This was surprising because, while we know Lyme disease is becoming more common, this was a much steeper increase than we expected,” Albert said in an interview with 

. “For comparison, CDC data showed a doubling of Lyme disease cases between 1991 and 2018, while cases over the last 3 years of data (most recently, 2019) remained relatively flat.”

The increase in Americans traveling again this year and predictions of a warmer, wetter weather pattern could have also played a major factor in the uptick of Lyme disease this past summer, according to Albert.

As for the main implications that both providers and patients should know about in the spread of Lyme disease, Albert said diagnosis of the disease is highly dependent on the patient’s location and travel history.

“By current CDC and IDSA guidelines, patients with the pathognomonic rash, erythema migrans (EM), and tick exposure in an area where Lyme disease is common can be diagnosed and treated without further testing,” Albert said in an interview with 

. “Those exposed in areas with Lyme who don’t have EM but have other symptoms require testing.”

These guidelines also focus on when to empirically treat asymptomatic patients with tick bites in areas where Lyme disease is endemic, according to Albert.

“For clinicians, the possible geographic expansion of Lyme means that more of us might need to include it in the differential diagnoses of patients experiencing a fever, headache, myalgia, and joint pain. For patients, it means that more of us should take vital protective measures when venturing outdoors,” Albert said in an interview with 

At epocrates, an issue that was addressed in the summary of Lyme guidelines was how clinicians are often confronted by patients with concerns about chronic Lyme disease at the point-of-care. This term is not usually acknowledged by gold-standard medical organizations, but clinicians are still being asked about it, according to Albert.

Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and “brain fog” are usually seen in 10% to 15% of patients who are fully treated for the disease, according to the CDC, which is also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. However, Albert said there have been some controversies around this condition. The society that promotes “Lyme literate” clinicians who believe the condition represents chronic, persistent 

 infection, despite a scarcity of evidence supporting this assertion is an example of this issue.

“Unsurprisingly, these tests and treatment aren’t typically covered by insurance, and they’re administered in the offices of those ‘Lyme literate’ providers on a cash-pay basis. (National Institutes of Health)-funded studies show this approach is no better than placebo, and that fatal complications of long-term antibiotic treatment have been observed,” Albert said in an interview with 

. “Nonetheless, this group is surrounded by large patient advocacy groups with scientific-sounding websites, aggressive social media campaigns, legislative lobbyists, and celebrity spokespeople. As we’ve seen in COVID-19, anti-science disinformation abounds and shapes patient interactions with health care.”

As for suggestions to know about combatting Lyme disease, Albert recommends knowing the evidence-based guidelines for treatment or having a quick, point-of-care reference that summarizes this guidance. Further, keeping an eye out for newer evidence in areas that are more generalized to the rest of the country is also highly recommended. 

 in ticks around the San Francisco Bay area doesn’t necessarily mean that clinicians in Denver need to think about Lyme disease right now. That said, the study is likely to raise interest in broader investigations of the current geographic range of the disease, and clinicians should be ready to adapt,” Albert said in an interview with 

Articles

Lyme Disease Continues to Be Top-Of-Mind for Clinicians Based on Past Summer Data

 interviewed Jennifer Andrews, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical and the medical director of the blood bank, on the national blood shortage in the United States. As the national inventory was beginning to recover toward the end of this summer, COVID-19 cases began to significantly increase as a result of the Delta variant, directly impacting donor turnout.

During the discussion, Andrews addressed what this blood shortage may mean for health systems, how this shortage may affect patient care and outcomes throughout the country, how the shortage may impact nurses caring for patients in health care settings, what nurses can do to help encourage patients to donate blood while receiving other health care services, and what health systems can do to further address this issue and increase blood donations.

Videos

Jennifer Andrews, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical and medical director of Vanderbilt University Medical’s blood bank, discusses the national blood shortage and its impact on health systems and patient care.

During National Blood Shortage, Nurses’ Efforts Can Make All the Difference

For a Contemporary Clinic interview, Anna Legreid-Dopp, PharmD, Senior Director of Clinical Guidelines and Quality Improvement at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists discussed Pfizer’s request to approve their COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11.

She talked about what parents should know, the benefits of the vaccine for children this young, and why the FDA proceeds with extreme caution when considering the approval for the 5 to 11 age group.

Anna Legreid-Dopp, PharmD, Senior Director of Clinical Guidelines and Quality Improvement at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists discusses Pfizer’s request to approve their COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11.

Expert: Pfizer Requests the Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5 to 11

New research has found that ketone supplements may be a novel strategy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity, according to a study published in 

Because those with obesity are known to be at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, this study found that giving a ketone supplement 3 times a day for 14 days improves blood flow to the brain and enhanced aspects of cognitive function, such as working memory and processing speed.

The researchers also demonstrated that ketone supplements may be a novel therapy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity who are at risk of developing neurocognitive impairment, according to the researchers.

Volunteers included adults with obesity who consumed either a ketone supplement or a taste-matched placebo supplement 3 times per day 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The participants were randomly assigned to take the supplement or the placebo for the first 14-day period before switching to the other condition for another 14-day period. All meals and snacks were provided by the researchers for both 14-day intervention periods.

Cognitive function was measured using validated tests via an iPad application and brain blood flow was measured using a duplex ultrasound of neck arteries. Following this, blood samples were taken to measure hormones that the study authors likened to fertilizer for the brain, helping neurons grow and improving cognitive function.

“Once validated with a larger group of people, we expect that these supplements can be used to protect and improve brain health in people with obesity,” said first study author Jeremy Walsh, MD, in the press release.

Ketone supplement might be a novel therapeutic for boosting brain function in obesity. EurekAlert! October 4, 2021. Accessed October 5, 2021. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930078

The researchers also demonstrated that ketone supplements may be a novel therapy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity who are at risk of developing neurocognitive impairment.

Study: Ketone Supplement May Be Therapeutic for Boosting Brain Function in Obesity

interviewed Lea Davis, PhD, an associate professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an investigator in the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, on a recent study she co-authored that was published in 

 on the epidemiology of functional seizures among adults treated at a university hospital.

During the discussion, Davis explained why women have a higher statistical likelihood of experiencing functional seizures than men.

Lea Davis, PhD, of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, explained why women have a higher statistical likelihood of experiencing functional seizures than men. 

Expert: Women Have an Increased Likelihood of Experiencing Functional Seizures

In a Contemporary Clinic interview, Jessica Hui, a researcher and pediatric allergist at National Jewish Health, discussed how increased hand hygiene may be harming the hands of healthcare workers, based on a 

She talked about the signs and symptoms of over-washing, what health care workers can do to treat their hands, and how hand washing affects individuals with eczema.

In a Contemporary Clinic interview, Jessica Hui, a researcher and pediatric allergist at National Jewish Health, discussed how increased hand hygiene may be harming the hands of healthcare workers.

How To Prevent Irritation From Using Hand Sanitizer

 interviewed Laura Lee Hall, PhD, president of the Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC), on the SHC’s recently released Flu DRIVE Toolkit, which was designed to help communities and overburdened health systems improve flu vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.

During the discussion, Hall explained how nurses can access and use the Flu DRIVE Toolkit to help increase flu vaccination rates in underserved populations, why it might be valuable for nurses to reevaluate their flu vaccination efforts directed at their underserved patient populations in anticipation of the flu season, how hospitals and nursing staff can address some of the potential causes of presently low flu vaccination rates among Black and Hispanic Americans, and the value of nurses supporting flu prevention in vulnerable populations.

Laura Lee Hall, PhD, president of the Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC), discusses the SHC’s recently released Flu DRIVE Toolkit, which was designed to help overburdened health systems improve flu vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.

How Nurses Can Help to Improve Flu Vaccination Rates in Vulnerable Populations

Autism is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder that encompasses communicative and social impairments, with patients exhibiting restricted, stereotypical patterns of behavior and interests.

The diagnostic criteria for autism were updated in the 

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

5thedition in 2013 from the previous 4th edition.

 Historically, they were largely associated largely with a younger population, and the research in this area has not focused extensively on life outcomes for older adults diagnosed with this condition.

 However, over time there have been greater attempts to examine the connection between aging and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause impairments in social communication and repetitive and restrictive behaviors. ASD is placed under this category, along with 4 others.

Autism it is not a single disorder but rather multi-factorial, and it can develop from a number of risk factors and interactions.

Diagnosis is generally made based on the key feature of an early onset of difficulty engaging in communications and social interactions, along with repetitive behaviors, activities, or interests.

 ASD can be missed in older adults, so it is important for health care professionals who work with geriatric populations to be aware of the potential for ASD in older adults.

Behind intellectual disability, ASD is the second-most-common developmental disorder.

 In 2010, it was reported that about 52 million people diagnosed with autism account for more than 111 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 population.

 Several factors can lead to autism, including environment and genetics.

 It has been suggested that more than half of all adults diagnosed with autism have some degree of intellectual disability.

The worldwide prevalence of ASD is reported at 0.76%, according to the World Health Organization.

Between 2000 and 2002 and 2010 and 2012, it was reported that the prevalence of ASD more than doubled.

 However, the prevalence of ASD remained stable in the United States, with no statically significant increase, but this might have been related to the change in diagnostic criteria with the release of the 

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness,

ASD is thought to be more prevalent in males than females, but study findings vary, with some noting a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio.

 There are several genetic diagnoses that have the potential to increase the diagnosis of ASD in comparison with the average population. These include fragile X, Rett syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis.

 Other potential risk factors that can lead to the increased risk of autism include older age of the mother and prematurity at birth. When treating older adults, it is important to evaluate their medical background and pre-existing conditions to determine potential causative factors, such as comorbid psychiatric conditions, if possible. However, there are instances in which the origin of an autism diagnosis may never be realized. It typically takes a thorough assessment to fully determine the contributing factors. It can prove to be challenging for some individuals as they transition through the phases of life, learning how to adapt with the potential associated burden and costs of ASD management.

The presence of ASD can be complex, given the regions of the brains that can be affected by the condition. There are a number of interrelated biomedical factors that can play a role in ASD development.

 Examples of these biomedical factors include food insensitivity or intolerance, nutritional deficiencies (eg, magnesium; vitamins A, B, and D; and zinc), oxidative stress, or poor detoxification.

The impact of each of these factors varies depending on the individual, so this must be taken into consideration when it comes to the management approach.

 ASD is regarded as a neurodevelopment abnormality that presents during early childhood. There are many genes that have been proposed as involved in the pathogenesis of ASK, and the majority are involved in neuronal synaptogenesis.

 Although it is theorized that there is a strong genetic basis for the development of ASD, there are several associated factors that can be tied to the pathogenesis and bring about the initial presentation. In both children and older adults who suffer from ASD gastrointestinal issues may be present, such as abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

The areas of the brain that are involved through neuroanatomic and neuroimaging studies include the cerebellum and frontal and temporal lobes.

 There is an observed growth of the amygdala and the hippocampus, which can be observed during childhood. In addition, the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging has shown evidence of variations in the connectivity and neuroanatomy among those who are diagnosed with ASD compared with those who are not.

 These particular studies have been able to identify abnormal or lower connectivity in the frontal regions of the brain, along with thinning of the corpus callosum in adults and children with ASD.

 Depending on the region of the brain that is affected, this can influence the severity of autism symptom presentation.

 For instance, if there is impairment associated with language in a person diagnosed with ASD, this can be related to a dysfunction of the frontal and temporal lobes.

The nuances of ASD can include quantitative impairments in communicative and social behavior, so an evaluation of various brain regions that may be associated with development is important when making a firm diagnosis.

ASD can be underdiagnosed in older adults, which is why the screening progress is very important in making a diagnosis if not made in early life.

 There is a lack of substantive awareness of ASD among mental health professionals who work with older adults. The lack of appropriate diagnosis of ASD in older adults can lead to the introduction of health care problems and associated costs that could have been avoided.

 Given the recent establishment of ASD, it is thought that many older adults might not have received a diagnosis, because the condition was not understood when they were younger. It is only through revisions of the 

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness

 With increased recognition comes the ability of many older adults who were once misdiagnosed to receive the appropriate diagnosis. To do this, a thorough screening must be performed. In some cases, older adults can go through their whole lives without knowing that they have ASD, and it is only after much analysis that it is identified. The inability to identify the presence of ASD early on has the potential to lead to significant complications in later life.

To sufficiently make a diagnosis of ASD, a clinician must be aware of possible differential diagnoses that can have similar presentation. These can be complicated, particularly in older adults, because of the potential for overlap with other conditions.

 For example, there can be an overlap between ASD and personality disorders because both can be influenced by age-specific factors and present with similar behavioral symptoms.

 To fully understand the specific elements of ASD and personality disorders, more research is needed, along with assessment instruments for older adults with comorbid mental disorders and personality disorders.

To successfully diagnosis ASD, a thorough background and history must be taken of any older adult. Additional information can also be obtained from caregivers and loved ones.

 In addition, there are a variety of screening tools that can be employed to assess behaviors that can align with an ASD diagnosis, such as the Adult Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire, with the goal of determining if behaviors are frequent or severe. This screening tool is only for the behavioral elements of ASD, so the social aspects would need to be assessed with a supplemental tool.

Given the complex nature of ASD it is understandable that other conditions can occur alongside the condition, which can also make diagnoses challenging. Older adults with ASD can be at increased risk of having 1 or more psychiatric conditions.

 The presence of these psychiatric conditions along with ASD can contribute to more distress and impairment in older adults and potentially to caregivers and family members. The degree of burden from ASD is thought to be comparable to that experienced with acquired brain injury.

 The most common comorbidities among those with ASD include anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and mood disorders, which can lead to increased contact with health care services.

At times, these co-occurring conditions can go unnoticed, but once they are identified, there are available treatment options.

 To effectively manage the co-occurring conditions, it is important for clinicians to understand the overlap that can occur and other potential challenges. Although there are no screening tools for psychiatric comorbidity with ASD, there is a growing movement toward its development. The use of reliable and valid screening tools is an important step toward early identification of ASD and potential co-occurring conditions.

The experience of caring for an older adult with ASD can be a challenge for any caregiver or family member. The pervasive and significant deficits that can present in older adults with ASD can be associated with myriad difficulties with providing optimal care. Some of these issues can include financial strain or increased mental and physical problems, such as stress.

 Given that caregivers and family members may provide most long-term care to older adults with chronic disabilities and illnesses, including ASD.

 Caring for an older adult can be particularly stressful and have a negative impact on mental health and well-being. Along with providing adequate care to older adults, it is equally important for caregiver and family members to be aware of the impact on them and take measures to implement self-care interventions into their daily routines. They should also seek assistance if the burden becomes too great.

It can be difficult to determine the progress of ASD in children over their lifespans, but about 9% of children who are diagnosed with ASD in early childhood do not necessarily meet the criteria for ASD when they become adults.

 The direction that the diagnosis of ASD takes can be dependent on certain factors, such as early childhood intervention or a reduction in repetitive behaviors over time. There are instances in which older adults with ASD experience high levels of functionality and quality of life, which can be tied to the presence of a support system.

It is possible for older adults with ASD to live a normal life either by themselves or with the aid of caregivers or family members.

There is still much to learn about older adults with ASD, and research continues to advance in this area. As life expectancy rates in the United States continue to increase, so do the lifespans of those with ASD. There is greater emphasis being placed on ASD in relation to aging and ensuring that individuals with ASD are screened and diagnosed in a timely manner and have appropriate long-term management of their condition when applicable.

 Older adults with ASD can face many difficulties, such as communication problems, lack of advocacy or support, and social isolation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 is a professor of health care administration at Columbia Southern University College of Business in Orange Beach, Alabama.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Geurts HM, Vissers ME. Elderly with autism: executive functions and memory. 

 2012;42(5):665-675. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1291-0

2. Roestorf A, Bowler DM, Deserno MK, et al. Older adults with ASD: the consequences of aging." Insights from a series of special interest group meetings held at the International Society for Autism Research 2016-2017. 

 2019;63:3-12. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2018.08.007

3. Park HR, Lee JM, Moon HE, et al. A short review on the current understanding of autism spectrum disorders. 

 2016;25(1):1-13. doi:10.5607/en.2016.25.1.1

4. Mattila ML, Kielinen M, Linna SL, et al. Autism spectrum disorders according to DSM-IV-TR and comparison with DSM-5 draft criteria: an epidemiological study. 

2011;50(6):583-592.e11. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.04.001

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5.

 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.

6. Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Daniels J. The epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders. 

 2007;28:235-258. doi:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144007

7. Baxter AJ, Brugha TS, Erskine HE, Scheurer RW, Vos T, Scott JG. The epidemiology and global burden of autism spectrum disorders. 

. 2015;45:601-613. doi:10.1017/S003329171400172X

8. Brugha T, Spiers N, Bankart J, et al. Epidemiology of autism in adults across age groups and ability levels. 

. 2016;209(6):498-503. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.174649

9. Hodges H, Fealko C, Soares N. Autism spectrum disorder: Epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation. 

 2020;9(Suppl 1):S55-S65. doi:10.21037/tp.2019.09.09

10. Palinkas LA, Mendon SJ, Hamilton AB. Innovations in mixed methods evaluations. 

2019;40:423-442. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044215

11. Sztainberg Y, Zoghbi HY. Lessons learned from studying syndromic autism spectrum disorders. 

12. Hyman SL; Levy SE; Myers SM; Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Identification, evaluation, and management of children with autism spectrum disorder. 

 2020;145(1):e20193447. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-3447

13. Compart PJ. The pathophysiology of autism. 

 2013;2(6):32-37. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2013.092

14. Samsam M, Ahangari R, Naser S. Pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders: Revisiting gastrointestinal involvement and immune imbalance. 

2014;20(29):9942-9951. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9942

 March 18, 2020. Accessed September 22, 2021. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/912781-overview#a3

16. Hughes JR. Autism: The first firm finding = underconnectivity? 

 2007. 11(1):20-24. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2007.03.010

17. Brasic JR, Mohamed M. Human brain imaging of autism spectrum disorders. In: 

Imaging of the Human Brain in Health and Disease.

 Seeman P, Madras B, eds. Neuroscience-Net, LLC, 2012.

18. Zagaria MAE. Autism spectrum disorders in aging adults. 

19. Van Niekerk EH, Groen W, Vissers CTWM, van Driel-de Jong D, Kan CC, Voshaar RCO. Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in elderly people. 

 2011;23(5):700-710. doi:10.1017/S1041610210002152

20. James IA, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Reichelt FK, Briel R, Scully A. Diagnosing Asperger syndrome in the elderly: a series of case presentations. 

 2006;21(10):951-960. doi:10.1002/gps.1588

21. O’Regan D, Tobiansky R. Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in older adults. 

22. Videler AC, Heijnen-Kohl S, Wilting RMHJ, van Alphen SP. [Differential diagnosis personality disorder versus autism spectrum disorder in older adults]. 

 2020;51(2). doi:10.36613/tgg.1875-6832/2020.02.04

23. Hansman-Wijnands MA, Hummelen JW. [Differential diagnosis of psychopathy and autism spectrum disorders in adults: empathic deﬁcit as a core symptom]. 

24. Barrett SL, Uljarević M, Baker EK, Richdale AL, Jones CRG, Leekam SR. The adult repetitive behaviours questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A): a self-report measure of restricted and repetitive behaviours. 

2015;45(11):3680-3692. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2514-6

25. Rosen TE, Matefsky CA, Vasa RA, Lerner MD. Co-occurring psychiatric conditions in autism spectrum disorder. 

 2018;30(1):40-61. doi:10.1080/09540261.2018.1450229

26. Cadman T, Eklund H, Howley D, et al. Caregiver burden as people with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder transition into adolescence and adulthood in the United Kingdom. 

 2012;51(9):879-888. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2012.06.017

27. Findon J, Cadman T, Stewart CS, et al. Screening for co-occurring conditions in adults with autism spectrum disorder using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire: a pilot study. 

28. Karst JS, Van Hecke AV. Parent and family impact of autism spectrum disorders: a review and proposed model for intervention evaluation. 

 2012;15(3):247-277. doi:10.1007/s10567-012-0119-6

29. Penning MJ, Wu Z. Caregiver stress and mental health: Impact of caregiving relationship and gender. 

 2016;56(6):1102-1113. doi:10.1093/geront/gnv038

January 13, 2019. Accessed September 23, 2021. https://psychcentral.com/blog/autism-in-older-adults#1

A lack of appropriate diagnosis of ASD in the elderly can lead to health care related issues and costs that could have been avoided if the condition had been treated earlier.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Underdiagnosed in Older Adults

Although many new college students are aware of the “freshman 15” weight gain, new research suggests that implementing healthy habits early in the school year could help counteract the weight gain.

According to researchers at the University of Georgia, students typically gain approximately 8 lbs over the course of their first year of college, with approximately 3 lbs expected during the first semester. Although this is significantly less than the “freshman 15” misnomer suggests, exercising regularly and making healthy diet choices could help avoid it, according to the investigators.

, found that vigorous physical activity was almost nonexistent among first-year students at a public university used for the research. The study authors defined “vigorous” activity as the kind of exercise that increases the heart rate and releases sweat.

Researchers tracked more than 100 students and measured things such as physical activity, body mass index (BMI), motivation to exercise, and how friends and family viewed their exercise habits. Researchers also examined whether university services influenced students’ activity levels.

At the beginning of the study, only 2 out of every 5 students were meeting recommended levels of activity as set by the American Heart Association (AHA). According to a press release, the AHA recommends that all adults participate in 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of intense exercise.

Despite their findings at the beginning of the study, the researchers noted that moderate physical activity, such as walking across campus or biking at a casual pace, did not change significantly from when students were in high school. Some students even increased their levels of moderate activity.

The study followed students throughout their first semester at school, and found that by the end of the semester, approximately 70% of the students reported no vigorous physical activity at all. This was in stark contrast to the beginning of the semester, when just 40% of students said they were not exercising hard enough to start panting.

“You have to be really motivated to engage in that level of activity,” said lead study author Yangyang Deng, a graduate student in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, in the press release. “In high school, there are many opportunities to be involved in sports, but those disappear for many students in college.”

As a result of this lack of physical activity, study participants saw modest but significant increases in BMI. By the end of the semester, the students added an average of just over 3 lbs. Although this is relatively small, the study authors noted that 3 lbs per semester can add up over the course of 4 years.

Interestingly, the researchers found that neither meal plan status nor on- or off-campus living significantly impacted weight gain; however, whether participants had physical exercise did have a substantial impact.

Students reported being aware of recreational activities at the student fitness center, and the availability of intramural sports and fitness classes had a positive effect on students’ physical activity levels. Having friends who exercised and supported their efforts to work out also increased the levels of vigorous physical activity.

“Vigorous physical activity most often occurs because of something like playing on a sports team, or if you’re really motivated to achieve a goal, like running a marathon,” said study author Sami Yli-Piipari, PhD, associate professor in the College of Education, in the press release. “You have to be really motivated to push yourself to that limit where you really are working hard to get those health benefits that come from that level of activity.”

From an institutional perspective, the authors said promoting healthy cooking classes, exercising courses, or other resources could positively impact students’ health. Students who want to increase their fitness levels should consider signing up for intramural sports teams, group exercise classes, or sessions with a personal trainer, according to the study authors.

“The students’ increased BMI is obviously a concern, but we should really focus on a more holistic view of health, especially increasing moderate and vigorous activity for students,” Deng said in the press release. “Establishing these good exercise habits now can have lifelong benefits.”

Beeson L. Weight gain isn’t inevitable when you start college. University of Georgia Today; August 24, 2021. Accessed September 22, 2021. 

https://news.uga.edu/weight-gain-isnt-inevitable-when-you-start-college/

By the end of the first semester, almost 70% of students participating in the study reported no vigorous physical activity at all.



Implementing Healthy Habits Early Can Prevent Freshman Weight Gain for College Students

The Carlyle Impact Foundation and Hispanic Star teamed up to launch the Comeback Lounge at Barney’s New York Inc’s Madison Avenue building to celebrate “Back to La Vida” and Hispanic Heritage Month. The partnership has already raised a total of 142 scholarships.

“The Comeback Lounge will celebrate the accomplishments of women in art, music, and philanthropy. But our real purpose is to make a difference,” said Alex Charlton, chairman and CEO of the Carlyle Global Partner, in a prepared statement. “We are proud to join with Hispanic Star to tap into the Hispanic community to help build the next generation of nurses. We are proud to have a program that not only addresses a looming crisis, but also advances the cause of diversity and inclusion.”

To support the organizations’ goal of raising scholarship funds for Hispanics interested in a career in nursing, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, and TikTok contributed funds to the cause, with Nurse Heroes Hispanic Star Partnership and the Carlyle Impact Foundation offering a $1 million match for the donated funds.

“Last year we saw the contributions and sacrifices of 19 million Hispanics, who served as essential workers everywhere. While 1 in 5 worked in health care, the percentage of Latino nurses is disproportionately small compared to the critical need of new nurses. These scholarships will create new opportunities for Hispanics who are eager to fill the nursing gap but do not have the means to do so,” said Claudia Romo Edelman, founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation, a platform of Hispanic Star, in a prepared statement.

The opening of the Comeback Lounge featured a performance of the Spanish version of America’s National Anthem by Jennifer Lopez, accompanied by the Nurse Heroes Hispanic Star Choir.

Additionally, the Comeback Lounge premiered the “Women Who Dared” art exhibition, which featured Latina artists from around the world for their first public exhibition.

The Carlyle Impact Foundation and Hispanic Star launch the Comeback Lounge at the iconic Barney’s Madison Avenue store in support of Hispanic Nurse Heroes. News release. We Are All Human. September 15, 2021. Accessed September 20, 2021.

The Carlyle Impact Foundation and Hispanic Star raised a total of 142 scholarships for Hispanics who are pursuing a career in nursing.

All News