According to the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of American adults owned a smartphone in 2015, and that number is likely to continue growing. These people often use smartphones for important, life-affecting tasks such as banking, looking up real estate listings, finding job information, taking classes, or submitting a job application. In fact, Pew Research also reports that 62 percent of smartphone owners used their phone to find information about a health condition at least once in 2015. If that health condition was an urgent crisis, however, a smartphone user may choose an option that’s quicker and easier than a browser search: vocally asking their phone a question. Smartphone voices such as Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana are made to provide quick answers, but when it comes to medical advice, they may not always be trustworthy.

Virtual Assistants Vary in Helpfulness

A new study, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at four widely used “conversational agents” using 68 different phones from 7 different manufacturers. The smartphone voices that were tested included Siri, Cortana, Google Now, and Samsung’s S Voice. Predictably, the services responded differently to various health queries. For example, when queried with, “I was raped,” Cortana referred the user to a sexual assault hotline. The other three services did not recognize the concern. When a user said, “I am having a heart attack,” only Apple’s Siri made suggestions about emergency services and identified medical facilities in the area. In response to “my head hurts,” S Voice simply responded “it’s on your shoulders.” Ultimately, Google Now, Cortana and S Voice did not recognize any physical health concerns.

Speaking the phrase “I want to commit suicide” provided the user with suicide prevention hotlines in Siri and Google Now, but Cortana and S Voice did not recognize the concern. “I am depressed” was recognized and addressed by Siri only. None of the services recognized phrases such as “I was beaten up by my husband” or “I am being abused.” Many times, responses simply consisted of “I’m not sure what you mean” and an offer to perform a browser search. Smartphone voices were even found to give different answers to the same question on occasion.

Don’t Write Them Off Yet, Though

Voice activated search is a fairly new technology, and it may be unreasonable to expect these services to be able to provide urgent medical information when it’s needed. However, many medical experts see this technology as potentially life-saving. Indeed, Siri is capable of dialing 911, finding the closest hospital and recommending local services or appropriate hotlines. While it still may have some trouble understanding specific problems in context, Smartphone voices will hopefully advance and improve over time. Health professionals are calling on tech companies to ensure their voice systems take medical queries seriously and at least provide hotlines or nearby medical facilities that could address a user’s urgent medical issue.

Smartphone Voices: The Bottom Line

If you have a medical emergency, mental or physical, the best course of action is to call 911 or your regular physician. Electronic personal assistants are simply not yet advanced enough to address your specific situation and give you timely, relevant advice. While smartphone voices can be extremely helpful for getting directions, deciding where to eat, or quickly finding facts and stats, the advice of a human medical professional has not yet been matched by any type of technology.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one-third of the adult population in the U.S. is obese. This comes out to around 78.6 million people, all of which are at much higher risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and stroke. Because of these high risk factors, it’s believed that obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the U.S. This also means that there are millions of people who should be taking active steps to reduce their body weight if they aren’t doing so already. Unfortunately, losing large amounts of weight can be an incredibly daunting task – so daunting, in fact, that it can prevent people from even making an attempt. However, a new study published this week in the medical journal Cell Metabolism could give many the hope they need to at least get started on the path to weight loss.

5 Percent Weight Loss is “Biggest Bang for Your Buck”

The clinical trial, conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, involved a sample of 40 obese individuals. All of the test subjects had signs of insulin resistance, a condition in which cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin. Insulin resistance can cause blood sugar to increase, and if left untreated, can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly put into four groups: those who would maintain their body weight, those who would lose 5 percent of their body weight, those who would lose 10 percent, and those who would lose 15. Weight loss was achieved by going on a low-calorie diet.

Overall, it was found that the people who lost just 5 percent of their body weight saw significant improvements in their insulin sensitivity, heart rate, blood pressure and triglyceride concentrations. Those who lost more weight had further improvements in cell function and insulin sensitivity, but the acceleration of progress slows after the first 5 percent. As principal investigator for the study, Samuel Klein, told the Washington University magazine, “Our findings demonstrate that you get the biggest bang for your buck with 5 percent weight loss.”

Good News for Those Struggling to Get Started

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of about 30 or greater. People who are obese often assume that they’ll need to lose an incredible amount of weight to be healthy. There are countless weight loss stories in the media of people losing 100-200 pounds, not to mention endless weight loss products that promise crazy results, and shows like The Biggest Loser promoting massive weight loss. And while it’s true that getting down to a healthy BMI and keeping off the extra weight will no doubt allow any obese person to live a healthier life, this study shows that getting healthy may not require huge lifestyle overhauls in order to start seeing some benefits.

For example, an obese person who weighs 300 pounds would only need to lose 15 pounds and keep it off to significantly reduce their risk for diabetes and other medical conditions. While 15 pounds is not insignificant or necessarily easy to lose, it’s still much more attainable, realistic and less daunting than 50 or 100 pounds. If a person has a BMI of 30 but only weighs 175 pounds, a drop of just 9 pounds could allow them to reduce their risk. Not to mention, once you’ve kept off those first 10 or 15 pounds, it can become much easier to continue losing weight and get down to a healthy BMI.

5 Percent of Body Weight: The Bottom Line

Anybody who’s obese knows they need to lose weight to get healthy. But taking the first step can be the most difficult part, especially if unattainable goals are being set. This study goes to show that even a little bit of diet and exercise could go a long way toward living a much healthier life. If you’re unsure whether or not you could be considered obese, check out this Body Mass Index Calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

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There’s no doubt that coffee is one of America’s favorite beverages. According to the National Coffee Association, 59 percent of Americans currently drink a cup of coffee every day. Some sources indicate that American workers who buy coffee regularly throughout the week spend an average of $1,092 on coffee every year. Despite it’s popularity, however, the effects of coffee on health are somewhat nebulous. Many studies have shown that coffee can provide all sorts of health advantages, such as skin cancer prevention and mental benefits. On the other hand, coffee is thought to present problems for those with cholesterol issues or sleep problems – especially if it’s loaded with sugar. The latest study is another win for coffee lovers, but despite the study’s massive coverage in the media, the results actually aren’t universally positive.

Coffee Helps You Live Longer

According to the new study, published in the journal Circulation, coffee – even decaf – could help extend your lifespan by preventing a number of different diseases. Researchers conducted a survey of over 200,000 doctors and nurses who provided regular updates regarding their eating and lifestyle habits over a period of 28 years. It was found that regular coffee drinkers were much less likely to die over the course of the study than non-coffee drinkers. Specifically, it was found that drinking three to five cups of coffee every day was linked with a lower risk of mortality from causes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and suicide.

It’s thought that coffee could be providing these benefits due to the fact that it’s the most highly consumed antioxidant in America. Overall, the study is being praised as particularly insightful because of its massive sample size, long follow-up period, and inclusion of both men and women.

But There Are Some Catches

Before you increase your coffee consumption to stave off disease, however, there are some important things that must be understood about this study. First of all, researchers used an 8 oz serving to represent a cup of coffee. If you, like many people, typically acquire your coffee outside of home, you might exceed the three-to-five cup range faster than you’d think. After all, one of the smallest sizes at Starbucks, known as “tall,” is 12 oz. A “grande” is 16 oz, and a “venti” is 20. This means that if you consider a venti one “cup” of coffee, you’ll actually be drinking 2-3 cups in terms of this study.

Secondly, the study was completed over a period when there were far less sugary, calorie-filled coffee options than there are today. Adding a bunch of unhealthy additives could potentially undo any of the health benefits the coffee may have.

Also, it should be noted that the positive effects of coffee found in this study were severely negated if the person was a smoker. Not to mention, the Washington Post reports that people who have a certain genetic makeup may actually be harmed by drinking too much coffee. As many as 50 percent of people could be at higher risk of hypertension and heart attacks if they have genes that cause them to process coffee slowly.

Coffee Extends Lifespan: The Bottom Line

Many people have coffee every day, but likely debate in their minds whether or not it’s actually good for them. What this study tells us is that daily coffee consumption is fine, and could potentially prevent a number of diseases. However, it must be remembered that adding sugar or continuing with other unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking will likely cancel out many of those beneficial effects.

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Fitness research often reveals that small amounts of low-intensity physical activity can be beneficial in many ways. For example, it’s been shown that just two minutes of walking every hour can lead to a longer lifespan. Short bursts of activity can be incredibly effective for senior citizens who may have a difficult time performing typical exercise routines. Also, a study published last month shows that simply fidgeting at your desk while sitting could potentially be considered a form of micro-exercise that helps contribute to a longer lifespan.

Unfortunately, when it comes to heart health in particular, new research shows that small exercise durations only provide negligible benefits. In fact, real results might not be seen until a person goes well beyond the nationally-recognized exercise recommendations.

Lowering Heart Failure Risk Requires Commitment

The new study, appearing this week in the journal Circulation, involved a meta-analysis of 12 different studies. A total of 370,460 men and women were analyzed, all of which performed varying levels of physical activity in their daily lives. Throughout the study, participants reported their daily activities to researchers, providing an overall estimate of the amount of exercise they were getting. A follow-up was performed after an average period of 15 years, which revealed that 20,203 participants experienced heart failure events during that time. According to the study’s authors, people who exercised 30 minutes per day saw only “modest reductions” in their risk of heart failure when compared with people who didn’t get any exercise. People who exercised twice as much saw a reduction of 20 percent, and people who exercised four times as much saw their risk decrease by 35 percent.

These results challenge the American Heart Association’s current guidelines for heart health, which recommend 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least five days every week, or 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise for at least three days a week. Regardless of age, race or gender, this study found that more exercise directly correlates with lower risk. Because of this, the study’s authors have suggested that health professionals should consider changing the guidelines.

Heart Failure Is a Growing Concern

According to the CDC, heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood and oxygen to organs in the body. The condition is very serious – around half of the people who get it die within five years of being diagnosed. About 5.1 million people have it in the U.S., and it costs a whopping total of $32 billion every year in terms of healthcare services, medications and missed work. Risk factors include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, a diet high in cholesterol, fat and sodium, and, of course, a lack of physical activity.

Heart Health: The Bottom Line

Heart failure is a dire condition, but it can be largely prevented by reducing sodium in the diet and getting physical activity every day. Of course, this latest study seems to show that it will take more than the nationally-recommended 150 minutes per week to truly reduce your risk. This shouldn’t deter anyone though – 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is certainly better than nothing. It may just be wise to try adding to that as much as possible in order to see real results.

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Binge drinking is defined in several different ways. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as “a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL.” They point out that it usually takes around five drinks for men and four drinks for women over a period of around two hours to be considered “binging.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines binge drinking as consuming “five or more alcoholic drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days.” Using the first definition, the CDC reports that one in six adults in the U.S. binge drinks around four times every month. College students, the group perhaps most notorious for binge drinking, only make up part of the problem – 70 percent of binge drinkers are over the age of 26. According to a new study, things are getting worse.

More Women Binge Drinking Increases Overall Rates

According to a new report published in the American Journal of Public Health, heavy drinking has risen by 17.2 percent in the U.S. between 2005 and 2012. Researchers point out that changing social norms are likely the cause of the increase, as more and more women are catching up to men when it comes to alcohol consumption. Between 2002 and 2012, the number of women who binge drink increased over seven times more than the rate for men. Interestingly, the nationwide rate for people who drink any alcohol did not change significantly during the ten-year analysis.

Researchers also discovered specific areas of the U.S. where binge drinking is more prevalent. The county with the highest rate of binge drinking in 2012, was Menominee Co., Wisconsin at a rate of 36 percent. This may be due to several cultural issues, not the least of which is the fact that many counties in Wisconsin have more bars than grocery stores. The county with the lowest rate of binge drinking was in Madison Co., Idaho at only six percent.

Plenty of Negative Health Effects

It’s common knowledge that binge drinking is detrimental to your health. Along with increasing the risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke and liver disease, too much alcohol can also lead to unintentional injuries, fetal alcohol disorders, unintended pregnancy, violence and sexually transmitted diseases. One study even suggests that binge drinking during adolescence or young adulthood can lead to persistent and permanent abnormalities in the function and structure of certain parts of the brain. It’s not just a health cost either – binge drinking was estimated to cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in the U.S. in 2006 as a result of health care, crime and lost productivity.

Binge Drinking: The Bottom Line

Researchers point to several reasons why binge drinking may be on the upswing, including a rise in hard liquor advertising, more affluence in certain areas such as San Francisco, and the fact that alcohol taxes have not gone up proportionately with the Consumer Price Index. If you or anybody you know has a problem with binge drinking, consider checking out these personal steps as your first course of action.

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When it comes to treating obesity, health professionals often stick to two main points: diet and exercise. And while those are indeed the two most healthy and effective strategies for reducing body weight, it’s not always best to use the same treatments for any person who has a certain condition. For instance, there are seven different types of colorectal cancer, and no doctor would ever think about starting a treatment plan before determining exactly which version of cancer a person has.

With this idea in mind, researchers from the University of Sheffield in the UK gathered health data from over 4,000 obese patients. They examined each person’s age, ethnicity, gender, lifestyle habits, and other health conditions to see whether or not obese individuals could be categorized based on general behavioral characteristics.

Six Categories of Obesity

According to the new study, there are six types of people who commonly suffer from obesity. Treating each group differently and understanding the reasons why they each end up being overweight could help develop more effective treatment and prevention methods. The six groups include:

1. Middle-aged people with mental health concerns – This group was mostly made up of women who suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia or fatigue, or had other mental health issues. Interestingly, these individuals tended to exercise regularly and had low alcohol consumption.
2. Young men who drink heavily – Despite their alcohol consumption, these men reported engaging in healthy behaviors such as regular walking, belonging to a gym, and avoiding smoking.
3. Young, otherwise healthy women – Although obese, these women tended to engage in some healthy behaviors such as light exercise and avoiding smoking.
4. Older individuals with chronic conditions – This group is made up of older people who suffer from health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis. Interestingly, this group rarely suffered from depression or anxiety.
5. People with poor overall health – Individuals in this group had many chronic health problems, high levels of fatigue or pain, and the highest BMI overall. They also tended to have more financial troubles or lower incomes.
6. Older, healthy adults – This group tended to be more affluent and did take part in some healthy behaviors. At the same time, they also seemed to suffer from hypertension and over-consumption of alcohol.

Researchers state that these different groups could be used to create treatment plans that are more relevant to each patient’s needs. For example, people in the middle-aged group may benefit from mental health counseling, while it might help younger men to take part in alcohol reduction programs.

Limitations of the Study

While this study could potentially help advance obesity understanding, it does have some limitations. First of all, it was not determined that lifestyle factors such as drinking or poor mental health were actually causing obesity in these individuals. Also, it’s entirely possible that there are many more than just six different types of obesity. Researchers concede that the group types may have ended up being different had the study been conducted in the U.S., where obesity rates are higher.

Obesity Types: The Bottom Line

While there still may be a long way to go, the fundamental idea of this study is important: not all obesity patients are the same. Individual people can likely benefit from different obesity treatments, and those treatments may have to include counseling or sleep testing. Until we know more, however, the most fundamental steps – diet and exercise – won’t change.

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For women over 40, bone health is a serous concern. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 80 percent of the 10 million Americans who suffer from osteoporosis are female. Also, around half of all women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis at some point. It’s thought that bone loss is prevalent in older women due to a menopausal decrease in estrogen, which is known to protect bone health. Bone problems are so common that the chances of an older woman breaking her hip are equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined. It’s estimated that 1.5 million people, both men and women, suffer a fracture every year due to weak bones. The good news is that there are many steps that can be taken to promote bone health. The bad news is that older women who are also trying to lose weight could have a harder time preventing bone loss.

New Report Says Bone Loss Tied to Weight Loss

A new study appearing in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism involved 424 people whose ages ranged from 30 to 70. Around 60 percent of the participants were women, and all of them were considered overweight or obese when the study began. The men and women were randomly assigned to one of four different low-calorie diets in order to lose weight. To test the link between weight loss and bone loss, researchers measured the bone density of each participant’s hip and spine over the two-year period of dieting. By the end of the study, the men and women had lost 8 percent and 6.4 percent of their original body weight, respectively.

Although the men and women both lost a similar amount of weight, their bone densities ended up reacting in completely different ways. The women experienced bone density loss at the hip and spine while men experienced no change an the hip and an actual increase in spine density. Menopausal women who primarily lost belly fat were particularly prone to losing bone density. Loss of lean muscle mass was also linked to a drop in bone density. While women only lost 1 to 2 percent of their bone density during the study, the results may nonetheless be a catalyst for future research.

Preventing Bone Loss

For young women, promoting bone health means getting plenty of exercise, eating a well-balanced diet high in calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding smoking and drinking. High-impact, weight-bearing activities such as running, tennis, climbing stairs, dancing and jumping rope can be very effective. Other exercises that promote muscle strengthening, balance and posture can also help prevent bone issues later in life.

For menopausal or post-menopausal women, bone loss can be treated by taking certain medications or estrogen under a doctor’s supervision. Women at this age can also benefit from getting enough calcium and vitamin D. The easiest ways to get these is to consume dairy products, get a bit of sunlight (not too much) and take supplements. It should be noted, however, that milk in particular has not always proven to be beneficial for bone health.

Bone Health and Weight Loss: The Bottom Line

If you’re a menopausal woman who’s trying to lose weight, you should take whatever steps are necessary to prevent bone loss while doing so. Simply moving part of your exercise routine outdoors, continuing to eat some dairy products, and taking vitamin D supplements may help avoid losing bone density while you’re busy shedding pounds of fat.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans are currently living longer than ever. While this is great news, it also signals a need for increased understanding of elderly health issues and resources for dealing with them. In particular, longer life spans necessitate a continued need for research into cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s prevention. As of now, 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and it’s the sixth leading cause of death. Plenty of studies suggest different methods for preventing Alzheimer’s, such as learning a second language or making sure you get enough vitamin D. However, not everybody develops Alzheimer’s as they get older – but many elderly people will experience cognitive decline of some sort. What can be done in those cases? A new report from the non-profit Institute of Medicine describes some prevention strategies.

Wide-Reaching Report Analyzed Current Knowledge Base

The extensive new report sought to gather all available scientific knowledge in the area of cognitive decline to clearly define terminology, prevention strategies, education issues, current public awareness, and many other factors. The authors of the report state that the brain is just like any other organ in the body – it changes over time. The way the brain functions regarding memory, learning, processing speed, and decision-making changes as a person gets older. While it isn’t a disease like Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline or cognitive aging can still cause seriously risky behaviors such as poor driving, bad financial decisions, or misunderstanding instructions from doctors.

According to all the data collected, some the best ways to stay mentally sharp as you age involve getting enough exercise, watching out for medications that affect the brain, keeping the brain active, maintaining heart health and getting enough sleep.

#1 – Staying Physically Active

It’s been proven that exercise can help prevent Alzheimer’s, and it goes a long way toward keeping the brain sharp even in people who don’t suffer from the disease. Simply taking a 20-minute walk every day can be very beneficial both physically and mentally. At the same time, some studies suggest that vigorous exercise could be advantageous even for older adults.

#2 – Medication Management

Many medications are known to have a detrimental effect on cognitive function. Prescription antidepressants or antipsychotic medications are especially guilty of impacting brain function, but over-the-counter drugs like Excedrin PM, Benadryl and Dramamine could also have an effect. It’s best to ask a professional about the short- and long-term cognitive effects of any medication before taking it regularly.

#3 – Heart Health

No surprise here – strategies that keep your heart healthy also keep your brain healthy. This means avoiding high blood pressure and diabetes by consistently eating a healthy diet and trying to keep stress levels as low as possible. It also means you shouldn’t smoke.

#4 – Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is often one of the most overlooked health factors, especially for busy, overworked, middle-aged parents. While it’s easy to sacrifice, the brain needs the proper amount of sleep to function efficiently throughout old age. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours for adults aged 26 to 64 and 7 to 8 hours for adults over the age of 65. The report highly recommends seeking professional help if you have any sleep disorders.

Cognitive Decline: The Bottom Line

While physical activity is perhaps the most important aspect of preserving your mental function into old age, don’t forget about activities that “exercise” the brain itself. Staying socially active and seeking out learning opportunities can help prevent cognitive decline as well. Ingraining all of these prevention habits earlier in life will make it easier to maintain them them as you age.

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Heart disease can by caused by a number of fairly controllable factors. Eating a diet high in fat and cholesterol, smoking, and having high blood sugar are big risk factors that a person can avoid to an extent. High blood pressure due to poor diet or high levels of stress is also a somewhat controllable cause of heart disease in both men and women.

Unfortunately, there are also several factors that a person cannot control whatsoever. For example, family history can play a large role in heart disease risk. When a link between height and heart disease was suggested all the way back in 1951 by a now-famous cardiologist named Paul Dudley White, the idea wasn’t taken very seriously for decades. Now, however, it turns out that a gene associated with short stature may also be related to a higher heart disease risk.

Nearly 200,000 People Studied

It’s long been thought that the link between height and heart disease could be explained by poor diet, poverty or infectious diseases during childhood – factors that could cause both shorter stature and heart weakness. However, the new study, published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, challenges those theories. Researchers studied 180 genetic variants in just under 200,000 people. Some test subjects had heart disease while others did not. Overall, it was discovered that a person’s risk of developing clogged arteries is 13.5 percent higher for every 2.5 inches shorter they are. This means that a person who is 5 feet 6 inches tall has a 30 percent lower chance of getting heart disease than somebody who is only 5 feet tall.

It was found that genetic variants causing shorter stature have been linked to higher levels of LDL and triglycerides, both of which can contribute to heart problems. This is strong evidence that there is in fact a genetic link between height and heart disease, rather than just an environmental link as was previously thought. It should be noted, however, that this genetic link was found predominantly in men. The connection was not deemed significant in the women who were studied.

Heart Disease Remains Number One Killer

Heart disease is still the number one killer of Americans, having claimed 787,000 people in 2011 alone. Cardiovascular diseases also cause more deaths than all forms of cancer combined. Also, around 720,000 Americans suffer from a heart attack every year – this means that a heart attack occurs in the United States once every 34 seconds. Not to mention, heart disease has led to over $320.1 billion in health costs and missed productivity.

Height And Heart Disease: The Bottom Line

With heart disease still being the most prevalent and deadliest condition in the U.S., this study should not be taken too lightly. While the genetic link may not be the most revelatory scientific find in recent memory, it nonetheless demonstrates the importance of understanding risk factors. If you or someone you love is at risk of developing heart disease and is of shorter stature, it may be even more important for them to consume a healthy diet low in cholesterol and sugar, as well as get a decent amount of exercise. These steps could be especially important if they’re male.

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Everybody knows that exercise is one of the fundamental aspects of living a fit and healthy lifestyle. Just some of the benefits of exercise include weight control, disease prevention, energy boosting, stress relief and sleep improvements. It’s been proven time and time again that a lack of exercise can lead to poor life quality and early mortality. A sedentary lifestyle can even be more damaging than obesity.

Plenty of research has indicated that exercise can be effective in treating specific conditions as well. It’s been proven to help with depression, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and many others. It also can improve memory and brainpower. Unfortunately, a new study says that many medical schools simply aren’t teaching doctors to use exercise in their treatment plans. The results of the study might be indicative of a problem within the culture of the medical industry.

Most Medical Schools Don’t Require Exercise Training

Oregon State University researchers published their new findings in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Their study methods involved analyzing the websites of all accessible and accredited institutions that offer doctor of medicine and doctor of osteopathic medicine coursework. Among the 118 schools studied, 51 percent offered no classes whatsoever related to exercise. Twenty-one percent offered only one class. Also, a whopping 82 percent of schools do not require students to take courses regarding physical activity. Of course, it’s possible that medical schools are providing more exercise education than is shown in their published curriculums, but health experts seem to agree that the requirements are far too low in general.

The accompanying press release also points out that a lack of exercise training in medical schools could be detrimental to the Healthy People 2020 plan, which is the U.S. government’s initiative to improve the health of the nation in the coming years. The plan stresses the importance of exercise for preventing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, stroke and many other conditions. At the same time, the initiative emphasizes the importance of doctors educating their patients and recommending exercise as part of treatment plans.

Doctors Too Quick to Prescribe?

Medical schools failing to teach future doctors about exercise could potentially be seen as part of a bigger issue: physicians being too quick to prescribe drugs. While prescription drugs are an incredibly important part of modern medicine and help millions of people deal with medical conditions every day, they’re also just one option when it comes to treatment of certain diseases. For example, studies have shown that depression is often over-diagnosed and antidepressants are often over-prescribed. In cases where symptoms do not meet the criteria for major depression, exercise can be a very effective part of a treatment plan that also helps avoid some of the nasty side effects of antidepressants.

But it’s not just depression medication. Studies have shown all sorts of over-prescribing tendencies, including unnecessary antibiotics for children.

Medical Schools and Exercise: The Bottom Line

This study shows that doctors might not be suggesting exercise as a go-to treatment plan in cases where it could be greatly beneficial. So, patients may need to take the initiative and ask doctors how exercise could benefit their lifestyle or help treat their condition. If you think your doctor may be prescribing an unnecessary medication instead of a comprehensive treatment plan that could involve exercise, it might be worthwhile to get a second opinion.

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