Changing approaches to health, fitness, and aging

by Marisol QuinteroSeptember 26, 20266 links · ~33 min read · ~1 min for the TL;DR

The Waiting Room by Marisol Quintero: six links on Health & Wellness every week.

TL;DR

Gen Z is shifting gym habits by prioritizing strength training over the solitary cardio workouts that were previously popular.
A study indicates that smartwatch algorithms become less accurate at measuring calories burned during exercise as a user's body fat percentage increases.
Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, has been shown to activate calorie-burning brown fat in obese mice.
Researchers are concerned about a potential shortage of nursing home beds as the oldest baby boomers reach age 80.
Nicotine products like patches and pouches are being marketed for athletic and cognitive benefits despite a lack of scientific evidence.
Older adults may face increased health risks from the overuse of daily aspirin, antibiotics, and benzodiazepines.

From the curator

Modern health habits and medical interventions are shifting as people reconsider traditional fitness routines and pharmaceutical use. The BBC News article (5 min read) notes that younger generations are moving away from solitary cardio in favor of strength training. Meanwhile, the ScienceDaily article (4 min read) highlights that medications like Zepbound and Mounjaro may offer metabolic benefits by activating brown fat in mice, potentially extending beyond simple appetite suppression.

At the same time, caution is advised regarding health monitoring and medication management. The Conversation article by Jason Kostrna (6 min read) warns that smartwatch calorie tracking becomes less accurate as body fat percentage increases. Additionally, the KFF Health News article by Paula Span (6 min read) points out that many older adults may be overusing common drugs like antibiotics, benzodiazepines, and daily aspirin, which can carry unnecessary risks.

Marisol Quintero

Curated for this issue

BBC News5 min readWhy Gen Z is swapping cardio for strength training
Gyms are booming, solitary cardio is out - how workouts are changing.

The Conversation6 min readThe higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories you burn when exercising – new study
Smartwatch users should be wary of relying too heavily on these devices’ algorithmic measurements.

Jason Kostrna · curated 1 time

ScienceDaily4 min readZepbound and Mounjaro may turn on the body’s calorie-burning brown fat
Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, activated calorie-burning brown fat in obese mice, revealing a potential metabolic effect beyond appetite suppression. If confirmed in…

KFF Health News6 min readNursing Home Beds Are Becoming More Scarce
As the oldest baby boomers turn 80, researchers worry there won’t be enough room in nursing facilities for a rapidly graying nation.

Paula Span · curated 1 time

The Conversation5 min readHow the pro-nicotine ‘wellness’ movement rebranded an addictive drug
Nicotine products like pouches and patches are being promoted for cognitive enhancement, stress reduction, improved athletic performance and much more – with little scientific…

Hasmeena Kathuria · curated 1 time

KFF Health News6 min read3 Common Drugs Older Adults Might Be Overusing
Not all older people need benzodiazepines, antibiotics, or daily aspirin — and taking them can carry increased risks.

Paula Span · curated 1 time

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From the curator

BBC News5 min readWhy Gen Z is swapping cardio for strength trainingGyms are booming, solitary cardio is out - how workouts are changing.

The Conversation6 min readThe higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories you burn when exercising – new studySmartwatch users should be wary of relying too heavily on these devices’ algorithmic measurements.

ScienceDaily4 min readZepbound and Mounjaro may turn on the body’s calorie-burning brown fatTirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, activated calorie-burning brown fat in obese mice, revealing a potential metabolic effect beyond appetite suppression. If confirmed in…

KFF Health News6 min readNursing Home Beds Are Becoming More ScarceAs the oldest baby boomers turn 80, researchers worry there won’t be enough room in nursing facilities for a rapidly graying nation.

The Conversation5 min readHow the pro-nicotine ‘wellness’ movement rebranded an addictive drugNicotine products like pouches and patches are being promoted for cognitive enhancement, stress reduction, improved athletic performance and much more – with little scientific…

KFF Health News6 min read3 Common Drugs Older Adults Might Be OverusingNot all older people need benzodiazepines, antibiotics, or daily aspirin — and taking them can carry increased risks.