If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by your kids' sports schedules and expenses, you're not alone. A new study confirms that today's parents are indeed spending significantly more time, money, and effort on their children's sports activities compared to previous generations.

This idea that parents are going "all in" to their kids' sports events, spending more money and time, has been a common story. Now, research confirms that this isn't just talk; things have genuinely changed.

Proof is in the Data

Researchers looked at information from nearly 4,000 adults across the U.S. who shared details about their parents' involvement and spending on their sports when they were growing up. The survey was conducted between 2018 and 2019. The results clearly show a growing trend of parents getting more involved in youth sports, especially those with higher education. For example:

Most people born in the 1950s said their parents went to their sports events only a few times a year.

But for those born in the 1990s, parents with a college degree attended games about once a week on average, while those with less education attended about once a month.

Similar trends were also seen in how much money parents spent on sports and how much they helped out with things like coaching or driving. These changes really started to pick up speed for children born in the 1980s.

Intensive Parenting and Changing Systems

Researchers explained that recent shifts in youth sports and parenting cultures have pushed parents to invest more. He noted that since the 1980s, supporting a child's athletic growth seems to demand a level of involvement that previous generations didn't experience.

Positive And Negative Impact of Youth Sports

According to the Open Access Journal Of Sports Medicine journal, youth sports are incredibly popular in the U.S., with about 45 million children and teenagers taking part. In fact, 75% of American families with school-aged kids have at least one child in organized sports.

Positive Side

When done right, youth sports offer fantastic benefits. They can help kids develop physical fitness, improve their mental well-being, and teach lifelong lessons that encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. The key is to keep the focus on fun and strike a good balance in these areas.

Negative Side

Despite the popularity, there are some concerning issues in youth sports. Surprisingly, even with so many kids playing sports, we're seeing a childhood obesity epidemic, with one in three children now overweight. Most kids and teens are leading increasingly inactive lives outside of their organized sports.

Why Parents Are More Involved Now

Experts suggest that recent changes in youth sports and parenting styles have pushed parents to invest more. Since the 1980s, supporting a child's athletic development seems to demand a level of involvement that wasn't expected of parents in earlier times.

This shift is part of a larger trend called "intensive parenting." Over the last 50 years or so, parents have moved from being casual supporters to actively managing their children's extracurricular lives.

One reason for this increased involvement is that schools have cut back on sports spending. This has led better-off families to pour more of their own resources into their children's athletic success. Parents often see this as a way to boost their kids' chances when applying for college or looking for jobs.

Part of the reason for this increased involvement is that schools have cut back on sports funding. This means wealthier families are now putting more money into their children's athletic success.

Slept late because you partied too hard on the weekend? Found yourself unable to sleep because you were scrolling your phone till 3 am on a work-night? These things happen to the best of us, whether it is because you slept late, or slept too long, leaving your sleep pattern askew. We are all familiar with the feeling. Being so tired that you fall asleep the moment you come home, hoping to take a nap. However, is this nap costing you your health?

While napping after a long day of work may seem appealing, it could be inching you closer to an early grave.

A new study suggests that when you nap and how long you nap during the day might be linked to your risk of death. This is especially true for adults in their middle to older years. Researchers looked at data from wearable fitness trackers to understand these napping patterns. They found that specific ways of napping were connected to a higher risk of dying among older adults.

What the Study Found

Researchers used data from wearable activity trackers worn by nearly 87,000 adults, mostly around age 63. These devices tracked their sleep and activity patterns for a week. Over 11 years, thousands of these participants passed away. The research found a link between a higher risk of death and three things:

• taking longer naps
• napping at different lengths each day
• napping often around midday or early afternoon.

This research is important because it used real data from trackers, which is more accurate than just asking people about their naps from memory.

Does Napping Cause Health Problems?

It's important to know that this study doesn't prove naps cause death. It only shows a connection. This research is still new and hasn't been fully checked by other experts. It also might not apply to everyone. However, experts say the study offers strong evidence. It suggests that if someone naps a lot or at odd times, it might be a sign that they have an underlying health condition that's making them tired.

Connection Between Napping and Mortality

It's important to understand that this study doesn't prove naps cause death. Instead, experts think the link is more about why people are napping. For example, hidden health problems like sleep apnea (which messes up night sleep) or illnesses that cause a lot of tiredness, like heart disease, could be the real culprits. These conditions might make someone nap more and also increase their risk of death. It's also possible that very long or irregular naps might upset your body's natural clock, potentially affecting things like inflammation and heart health.

Should You Stop Napping?

There's no need to completely stop napping, especially if you are a shift worker or truly sleep-deprived. Scientists are still learning about this connection. However, for most people, it's a good idea to aim for certain nap habits:

Keep naps short: Naps less than 30 minutes are often best to help you feel refreshed without feeling groggy.

Nap earlier in the day: Napping earlier can help prevent your daytime sleep from interfering with your ability to fall asleep at night.

If you find yourself taking very long naps or needing regular naps throughout the day, especially if you still feel tired, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They might want to check for underlying health problems or recommend an evaluation for a sleep disorder.

Tips To Avoid Napping

• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
• Spend time outdoors in natural sunlight, particularly in the morning.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks.
• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to reduce stress.

If you've been doing it all, counting calories, sweating through workouts at the gym and the scale still isn't moving, don't worry. For a lot of people, weight loss has nothing to do with willpower; it's got everything to do with biology. You might have heard the buzz around Mounjaro, perhaps your friend has been talking about it, or you saw it pop up on social media. But what in the world is Mounjaro, and can it actually work for weight loss, even if you don't have diabetes?

For the millions who suffer from obesity, weight loss has long been a Sisyphean task of diets, disillusionment, and defeat. But a new generation of medications, initially developed for diabetes, is rewriting that script. Leading the charge is Mounjaro—a injectable medication that has shown an incredible knack for suppressing appetite, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and encouraging sustained weight loss.

So, what is Mounjaro, anyway? Is it safe? How much does it cost? And is it right for you? Here's the lowdown—supported by science, informed by experts.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a brand name for tirzepatide, an injectable weekly treatment first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the control of Type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, its potent effect on body weight has triggered an off-label rush for people without diabetes but with obesity or conditions of metabolic connection.

In contrast to old weight-loss drugs that act on metabolism or suppress appetite as their primary mechanism, Mounjaro acts upon two key hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These control the release of insulin and sensations of fullness. Through the mimicry of their action, Mounjaro decreases hunger and enhances control of blood sugar—two key obstacles in successful weight maintenance.

How Mounjaro Works?

The key to Mounjaro's success is tirzepatide, a dual-acting peptide that acts on receptors in your brain and stomach. When taken, it sets in motion a chain reaction of signals that say to your brain, "You're full," basically cutting back on cravings and overeating.

But that's not all, mounjaro also makes your body more responsive to insulin. In individuals with obesity, insulin resistance is frequent and can render weight loss dishearteningly slow. By enhancing insulin action, Mounjaro makes the body better able to control blood sugar and store less fat.

In a sense, Mounjaro doesn't simply allow you to eat less—it allows your body to use what you eat more efficiently.

Who Can Use Mounjaro for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro is approved by the FDA for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, but physicians can prescribe it off-label to individuals with:

A BMI of 30 or more (considered obese), or

A BMI of 27 or more with one or more weight-related health factors, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Off-label prescribing is legal and widespread. Numerous medicines—from antidepressants to seizure medication—are commonly prescribed for different uses when clinical evidence is available.

But Mounjaro is not appropriate for all. Individuals who have had thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or gallbladder disease should be careful. Should you be thinking of Mounjaro, complete medical assessment must be done prior to initiation of therapy.

How Much Weight Can You Lose on Mounjaro?

In the largest clinical trial, over 2,500 patients with obesity or overweight were given Mounjaro for 72 weeks (approximately 1.5 years). The patients on the 5 mg dosage lost 15% of their body weight on average. The higher doses had even more weight loss.

Non-diabetic participants also experienced substantial benefits, especially with the addition of lifestyle modifications such as more physical activity and a healthy diet. With regularity and supervision, Mounjaro provides long-term, clinically relevant weight loss—not fleeting outcomes.

How to Use Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is available in a pre-filled, one-time-use injection pen. You administer it once a week, ideally on the same day every week. Injection sites that are commonly used are:

• Abdomen
• Thigh
• Outer upper arm

Physicians usually start at 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then increase stepwise by 2.5 mg per month to a target dose (in most cases, 10 mg or 15 mg). This stepwise titration minimizes side effects while optimizing efficacy. Take care to change injection sites to avoid irritation and not inject into scarred or bruised skin.

Potential Side Effects of Mounjaro

As is the case with most prescription drugs, Mounjaro can cause side effects—particularly within the first few weeks. The most frequent are gastrointestinal, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Constipation

In some instances, more severe side effects have occurred, including:

• Pancreatitis
• Inflammation of the gallbladder or gallstones
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Kidney issues because of dehydration
• Worsening in eye conditions in individuals with diabetes
• Elevated heart rate
• Reactions at the injection site

Mounjaro also has an FDA boxed warning for a rare risk of thyroid C-cell tumors from rodent studies. Although this has not been established in humans, the warning cautions against use in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

How Much Does Mounjaro Cost?

The price for Mounjaro can be quite variable depending on:

• Insurance coverage
• Pharmacy location
• Off-label use status

In the United States, without insurance, Mounjaro can range from $1,000 to $1,300 monthly. Yet, most patients can cut costs with:

• Manufacturer coupons (if qualified)
• Savings programs or discount cards
• Pharmacy benefit coverage (especially for treatment of Type 2 diabetes)

Note: If used off-label for weight loss, some insurance providers might not pay for the medication. Discuss with your provider and pharmacist to learn about affordability options.

Where to Get Mounjaro for Weight Loss?

If you're considering Mounjaro as part of your weight loss strategy, start by speaking with your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or obesity medicine specialist.

If deemed medically appropriate, they will prescribe it and show you how to use the injection pen. It’s essential to have your lab tests monitored periodically during treatment and to follow dosage adjustments carefully.

Obesity is not a case of willpower. It is a chronic, complex disease related to metabolic, hormonal, and genetic factors. Mounjaro presents a new avenue for the treatment of this disease—especially for those who have not responded to lifestyle modifications alone.

Even so, Mounjaro isn't a panacea. The most ideal outcomes occur when medication is paired with:

• Healthy diet
• Exercise on a regular basis
• Behavioral support or counseling

For individuals with extreme weight issues, it could be the game-changer they've been hoping for.

Mounjaro is changing the face of how healthcare professionals treat weight loss, particularly for individuals with obesity and insulin resistance. Being able to suppress appetite, enhance blood sugar control, and facilitate sustainable weight loss, it's fast becoming one of the most promising weapons in the battle against ongoing metabolic disease.

However, as with any powerful tool, it must be utilized wisely, under professional guidance, and as part of an holistic health plan. If you're curious whether Mounjaro is for you, the best place to start is an open conversation with your doctor.

‘71.3 years’ was the average life expectancy globally, according to the World Health Organization in 2021. When a certain number of people die in a year, that number adds to the mortality rate of a county. There are big differences in death rates depending on where people live, especially between different counties. Mortality rates of counties can reflect a lot about them, how well their healthcare system is, what diseases are more prevalent, and what resources they are lacking. These things show the quality of life led by people in that particular county.

So, what is stopping a county whose mortality rates are high from decreasing these deaths?

The difference in how many people die is often tied to things like education and income. Studies have already shown that areas with higher average incomes tend to see the biggest jumps in life expectancy and have lower death rates from all causes. But until now, few studies have specifically looked at death rates from particular diseases across counties based on how rich or poor they are.

Linking Poverty to Leading Causes of Death

Researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) recently studied how death rates in U.S. counties (not including Alaska and Hawaii) are connected to how much poverty exists in those counties. They examined death rates for all causes of death and for the 10 diseases that cause the most deaths in the county. These top 10 causes were responsible for almost all deaths in 2020.

• Heart diseases (like heart attacks, heart failure, artery blockages)
• Cancer
• Stroke and other brain blood flow issues
• Pneumonia/influenza
• Unintentional injuries (like falls, car accidents, poisoning, drug overdose)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a serious lung disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Suicide
• Kidney disease

The researchers looked at changes in death rates over two time periods: from 1990 to 1994, and from 2016 to 2020 (they avoided the main COVID-19 years). They defined the poorest counties as those where 20% or more residents lived below the federal poverty line (for example, a family of four earning less than $26,200 a year in 2020). The richest counties had less than 10% of residents below this line.

Have The Death Rates Improved?

Overall, death rates got better in all types of counties for general deaths and for four of the main causes: heart diseases, cancer, stroke-related diseases, and pneumonia/influenza.

However, the improvements were much bigger in counties with less poverty. Because the poorest counties saw less improvement, the gap in death rates actually grew wider between the richest and poorest areas.

These improvements also varied a lot by location. The biggest drops in death rates happened on the East and West coasts and in some northern parts of the U.S. The smallest improvements were in the Midwest, Appalachia, and parts of the South—areas that often have higher poverty levels. Heart disease and cancer death rates improved the least in the South and Midwest.

Where Have Death Rates Worsened?

Unfortunately, death rates actually increased across the nation from other leading causes of death: accidents/injuries, COPD, Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes, suicide, and kidney disease. The effect of poverty on these conditions was mixed. For COPD and Type 2 diabetes, death rates improved in the richest counties but got worse in the poorest ones.

Overall, death rates worsened the most for accidents/injuries (likely due to the ongoing drug crisis) and Alzheimer's disease (partly because people are living longer and doctors are better at diagnosing it). Interestingly, for women, Type 2 diabetes death rates improved in all income levels studied. For men, COPD death rates improved across all income levels.

Why These Gaps Exist?

Some health differences are getting bigger than others. The largest increases in the gap in death rates between rich and poor counties were for Type 2 diabetes, pneumonia/influenza, COPD, kidney diseases, and heart diseases.

Factors like smoking and obesity are more common in certain areas, particularly the South. These are big risk factors for many of the diseases studied. Also, some Southern states haven't expanded their Medicaid programs, which help low-income people get healthcare. Access to Medicaid has been linked to better health outcomes and lower death rates.