Obesity Outweighs Tobacco Risk

Obesity is now just as much

a drag on health as smoking

Katherine Harmon writing for Scientific American reports the results of a CDC study revealing that being overweight has replaced tobacco as the leading contributor to poor health in the U. S. Smoking still causes more cumulative years to be lost due to premature death.

Aging -- Fit Body, Fit Mind

Workouts help preserve mental fitness through aging

An interesting article by Christopher Hertzog and team featured in Scientific American supports physical fitness as a hedge against age-related dementia. One study cited showed how the most physically active women had a 30% lower risk of cognitive decline. In this study walking distance was related to cognition, but walking speed was not. Jennifer Weuve’s research team at Harvard University found a significant relation between energy expended in physical activity and cognition. Other interesting research is cited related to the body’s impact on the brain, giving elders an effective way to stay mentally sharp.

Keep Your Aging Brain Sharp

Avoid Negative Brain Plasticity with fitness software

Michael Merzenich writing for Scientific American Mind, warns us of age-related cognitive decline. “Called negative brain plasticity – the cerebral equivalent of what has happened to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biceps,” Merzenich advises training the brain. He promotes brain fitness software offered through Posit Science. Circuit Training, Computer Games for Mental Workouts, an article by Kaspar Mossman also gets you thinking. Is juggling, playing bridge, eating your fruits and vegetables, exercising, trying new wholesome activities, and building new social networks enough? Or should we spend money tapping into new brain stimulating technology?

Serious Need for Play

Social, emotional and cognitive development rises from play


Scientific American Mind article written by Melinda Wenner cites compelling reasons to extend childhood play largely for social and emotional reasons. The article failed to address sensory motor development that comes from play. The visual, auditory, vestibular, tactile and kinesthetic systems are strengthened, allowing children to be more successful later on in school, writing, reading and carrying on other academic performance skills. This Body-brain Boogie Blog playfully works to fill in this gap, showing how play is core essential to learning.

Mind Your Room Design

How Room Designs Affect Your Work and Mood

Emily Anthes writing for the Scientific American Mind cites brain research showing how to craft spaces that “relax, inspire, awaken, comfort and heal.” The article urges us to fabricate rooms and buildings with the Mind in Mind. Ceiling height, greenery, sunlight, room contents, furniture choices, all have a bearing on our moods and our ability to attend and think. In fact, students can perform better on their test scores with wise school design. Neuroeducation the new buzz may get into furniture and light fixtures… as well as body brain enhancing teaching and learning methods – the focus of this Blog.