Month: October 2014

Amputation rates for Americans vary greatly depending on their race and where they live, a study shows. Blacks were 3 times as likely as non-blacks to have a leg amputated. The report is published on the website of the Dartmouth Atlas Project. It is based on Medicare claims. They covered the years 2007 through 2011. Researchers focused on Medicare patients who had diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD causes poor circulation in the legs. Both of these conditions increase the risk of amputations. Besides the racial differences, leg amputation rates were 5 times as high in some regions as in others. Overall, amputation rates were highest in the Southeast and in rural areas. Blacks were more likely than non-blacks to receive surgery to improve circulation. It can help prevent the need for amputations.

Research has linked family meals with a lower risk of childhood obesity. A new study suggests that a nice, calm atmosphere at mealtime also may help. The study included 120 families. Researchers asked them to record a week of family meals on an iPad. Families with normal-weight children tended to have pleasant dinner conversations. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Parents offered encouragement. Parents of overweight children were more likely to lecture. Discipline tended to be inconsistent. Meals were a bit shorter — about 14 minutes, compared with 18 minutes for families with normal-weight children. For both groups of families, some type of screen (phone, TV etc.) was in use for about 61% of meals. Families with an overweight child ate about 55% of meals in the kitchen or dining room. They ate about 30% in the family room and 15% in other rooms.