Media Morsels

by Joy Keller

Making News:

Cholesterol Peaks in Winter

People may benefit from having their cholesterol screened during both the summer and winter months. According to a study in the April issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine (2004; 164 [8], 863–70), cholesterol levels fluctuate over the course of the year and are highest during the winter months.

Researchers measured cholesterol levels over 12 months in a group of 517 healthy volunteers. Average levels were 222 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) in men and 213 mg/dl in women. In winter, levels went up by 3.9 mg/dl in men, peaking in December, and by 5.4 mg/dl in women, peaking in January. The increases were highest among those who had high cholesterol to start with.

Why the difference? Researchers suspect that seasonal changes in plasma volume may account for much of the cholesterol increase found in winter months.

Survey: Lack of Activity Tied to Sadness

People who are depressed may benefit from a little exercise. The results of a survey by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that individuals who do not exercise tend to experience more days when they feel sad. The findings, which were published in the online journal Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2004; 2, 40), also show that incidents of depression increase as unhealthy behaviors increase. These behaviors include smoking, overeating and lack of sleep.

Basketball Tops List of Sports With Injuries

Which of your weekend warrior clients will be most likely to get injured? According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Allen Iverson wannabes are at the highest risk.

Pietro Tonino, MD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, analyzed new data and compiled the following list of sports with the largest number of injuries:

basketball: 1,622,781

bicycle riding: 1,299,987

football: 1,035,450

soccer: 456,320

baseball: 417,479

swimming/diving: 364,116

softball: 318,637

trampoline use: 244,564

skateboarding: 241,734

weightlifting: 218,381

horseback riding: 195,446

volleyball: 161,240