Current Events in July 2017

Childhood obesity is still a major problem in the United States, affecting millions of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are numerous risks associated with being overweight or obese at this young age, but new research has found that the risk of developing colorectal cancer is particularly worrisome. Researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel conducted a massive, long-term study and found that higher body mass index (BMI) scores correlated with higher rates of both colon and rectal cancer.

"This is a huge cohort with a minimum follow up of 10 years, and all individuals had measured BMI, not just reported or recalled," said Dr. Zohar Levi of the Rabin Medical Center. "This is the largest study ever, including both men and women, and it had the power to prove the importance of BMI at age 17 on events later in life."

Increased risk of colorectal cancer

Levi and his colleagues analyzed information on nearly 1.1 million Jewish men and over 700,000 Jewish women who took part in health examinations that measured their BMI between 1967 and 2002. Participants ranged in age from 16 to 19, and assessments were followed up in 2012.

With a median follow-up period of 23 years, the researchers said that 2,967 new cases of colorectal cancer were identified in participants, and that being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of 53% and 54%, respectively.

The researchers found particularly strong ties between obesity and rectal cancer, with obese men having an increased risk of 71% when compared to non-obese men. Obese women were twice as likely as non-obese women to develop the disease.

While the authors admit that their cohort had shortcomings -- including lack of data on diet, physical activity, and smoking habits – they say that their results represent a strong indicator that obesity and colorectal cancer rates are linked.

The full study has been published in the journal Cancer.

As dietary supplements have gotten more popular, there has been an increase in their link to adverse reactions.

New research published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology has found the rate of calls to poison control centers, related to supplements, jumped 50% from 2005 to 2012.

However, in most cases the incidents did not stem from normal, adult use of the supplements. The researchers found that 70% of the cases involved a child, younger than six, who found the supplements and swallowed them.

Dr. Gary Smith, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and senior author of the study, says consumers mistakenly believe dietary supplements are similar to over-the-counter medication.

“Dietary supplements are not considered drugs, thus they are not required to undergo clinical trials or obtain approval from the FDA prior to sale, unless the product is labeled as intended for therapeutic use,” Smith points out.

Miscellaneous substances

In fact, Smith says miscellaneous substances in the supplements were often the cause of a reaction. Those substances include botanicals and hormonal products.

The researchers said energy products, along with botanical and cultural medicines, accounted for the largest proportion of serious medical events. Among botanicals, yohimbe accounted for the largest proportion of serious medical outcomes.

The researchers says almost 30% of yohimbe exposure calls resulted in moderate or major effects, which can include heart beat rhythm changes, kidney failure, and heart attack.

Childproof packaging

Henry Spiller, a co-author of the study and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center, says a lack of federal oversight has caused inconsistencies in the quality of supplement products. He said mandating child-proof packaging for supplements would be a first step.

Sales of supplements have increased in recent years, along with the growth in the population of older adults. According to the staff at the Mayo Clinic, supplements aren't necessary for people who eat a well balanced diet, but they may be helpful for older adults who don't live in an assisted living facility.

The staff recommends talking with your doctor about what supplements and doses might be appropriate, and says to ask about any potential side effects or interactions with prescription medicine you take.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,215 model year 2017 Lincoln MKZs and Ford Edges & Fusions.

On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 14, 2017.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.