Harvard Health Content API

About 12% of people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight when diagnosed. A new study finds that these diabetics are more than twice as likely to die early as others who are overweight. The finding surprised researchers. But overweight diabetics in the study were more likely to develop other health problems linked with poor control of the disease. Researchers combined the numbers from 5 long-term studies of diabetics. They included 2,600 people, all over age 40. During follow-up, about 450 people died. Researchers adjusted the numbers to account for other factors, such as smoking, that affect death risk. They found that death rates were 2.32 times as high among those who were not overweight when diagnosed. Researchers said they didn’t know why this group had higher death rates. They said it may be related to genes.

Cigarette smoking continues to decline, says a new government report. However, the use of non-cigarette tobacco products has increased. These include roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a 25% decrease in overall tobacco consumption from 2000 to 2011. But from 2010 to 2011, the decrease was less than 1%. That’s because smokers were turning to other forms of tobacco, according to study authors. They noted a 2009 increase in the federal tobacco excise tax. It taxed cigarettes more heavily. That made non-cigarette tobacco products less expensive. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the study. The New York Times wrote about it Aug. 3.

Avoiding violent TV or shows meant for older kids may improve sleep in preschoolers, a new study suggests. Nearly 600 families took part in the study. The children’s ages ranged from 3 to 5. Families were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups were asked questions about many things, including sleep and eating habits. One group received education about the best kinds of TV and other media for young children. They also got suggestions about suitable programs on channels available to them. Examples included Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street. They were encouraged to watch TV with their kids and talk about what they saw. The other group received education about healthy eating. Both groups kept sleep diaries for their children. They also received home visits and other follow-up. After a year, kids in the group who got education about TV had fewer sleep problems.

About 1% of U.S. adults have a gluten intolerance, also called celiac disease, a new study finds. That’s 4 times the level of 50 years ago. The study was based on blood samples taken in the 1950s and now. But gluten-free eating has grown into a fad far broader than the celiac population, the Associated Press (AP) reports. Americans will spend about $7 billion this year on gluten-free foods, the market research firm Mintel said. It’s estimated that about half of the customers do not have any sensitivity to gluten. Some eat gluten-free out of a belief that it will help them lose weight. Some say it makes them feel better. True gluten intolerance (celiac sprue) is diagnosed with blood tests and a biopsy. It causes bloating, diarrhea, pain and other symptoms. The new study suggests that there’s a true increase, not just more awareness and diagnosis. The cause is not known.

Caffeine might help to improve movement for people with Parkinson’s disease, a small new study suggests. But, despite caffeine’s reputation as a stimulant, the study did not show a clear reduction in daytime sleepiness. The study included 61 people with Parkinson’s disease. Before the study, all of them consumed less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily. That’s equal to about 2 cups of coffee. People were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group took pills containing caffeine twice a day — after they got up and at lunchtime. The pills contained 100 milligrams of caffeine each – similar to a cup of coffee. The other group received look-alike placebo pills that contained no caffeine. After 3 weeks, the dose was doubled, to 200 milligrams twice a day. Tests showed greater speed of movement and less stiffness in those who received the real caffeine pills.

The United States already has fewer doctors than needed. Health care reform, by insuring more people, will only widen the gap, the New York Times reported July 28. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the country will have 62,900 fewer doctors than needed by 2015. That shortage is expected to double by 2025. One major reason is the aging of baby boomers. Older adults tend to need more care. The Affordable Care Act is expected to add 30 million more people to the insured population by 2014. That will further drive up demand for care. The shortage of doctors has several causes, the Times said. Medical school enrollments are not increasing as much as the population. One-third of current doctors are at least 55 years old. Many will retire soon. Younger doctors are working fewer hours. And fewer are choosing primary care.

A new study highlights another possible benefit of cataract surgery — fewer hip fractures. Removing cataracts that cloud vision usually is a safe and quick operation. Success rates are high. Normally, it doesn’t require a hospital stay. The new study focused on a group of 1.1 million Medicare patients who were diagnosed with cataracts. Researchers compared people who had surgery with those who did not. They looked at the rate of hip fractures in the year after surgery. People who had surgery were 16% less likely to have a hip fracture. Benefit was greater for people who had severe cataracts, were at least 75 years old or had many medical problems. The reduction of hip fracture risk was 22% to 28% in these groups. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. The New York Times wrote about it August 1.