A University of Minnesota Medical School and School of Public Health study shows a slight increase in eating disorders, one of the deadliest psychiatric health concerns.
Mental Health
Study finds young adults practicing yoga are not immune to societal pressures for thinness and muscularity
The study led by Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that people who practice yoga were equally or more likely to practice extreme weight control behaviors, binge eating or use steroids and protein powders/shakes to enhance muscles.
Talking family caregivers with Joseph Gaugler
November is National Family Caregivers Month and Professor Joseph Gaugler answers questions about what family caregivers are, what they do, and the common challenges they face.
School of Public Health launches Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation
The center is led by Professor Joseph Gaugler and seeks to foster interdisciplinary, community-engaged approaches to support students, researchers, and the community when addressing critical issues related to aging.
School of Public Health to establish the Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving
The center is led by Professor Joseph Gaugler and will focus on identifying and disseminating promising research findings and best practices for addressing social determinants of health to support family members, friends, and other unpaid individuals who care for people living with dementia.
Evaluating changes in food insecurity, stress, and weight-related behaviors among mothers during pandemic
The findings of the study by PhD students Jessica Friedman and Junia N. de Brito will help clinicians and policymakers improve their understanding of how the pandemic is affecting the health of mothers and connect women and their families with community resources and support.
Gum disease raises the risk of developing dementia
Associate Professor Ryan Demmer studied a large group of people with varying levels of gum disease and found 19% of them developed dementia.
Linking brain function to adolescent suicide risk
Biostatistician and Assistant Professor Mark Fiecas is co-leading a study looking at the emergence of depression and suicide risk in thousands of adolescents and how it relates to the behavior of specific brain regions over time.
Family deaths may keep Black and Native American young adults from graduating college
Research by PhD student Naomi Thyden shows that young adults who were college-aged when a sibling or parent died were about half as likely to graduate from college.
Current Alzheimer’s drugs do little to help patients
A Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center study analyzed 67 Alzheimer’s treatments and found few are effective and they only alleviate symptoms.
Yoga practice common among young adults who have experienced trauma
Professor and yoga instructor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that 40% of young people report experiencing traumatic events, such as abuse or discrimination, and offers guidance for yoga students and teachers.
Simple cognitive tests could help primary care clinics spot Alzheimer’s cases
A team from SPH’s Evidence-Based Practice Center identified tests that providers can use to distinguish between Alzheimer’s dementia and normal cognition in older adults.
