Scott Lear, PhD
@drscottlear.bsky.social
Professor at Simon Fraser University in the use of healthy behaviours to prevent and treat disease. Lived experience with depression and heart disease. Active in #scicomm through my blog (www.drscottlear.com) and podcast How to Health.
Too many times we hear people (influencers) equate weight with health. But that's misguided.
In this episode we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess fat in health and when changes in weight are good and when they're not.
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
In this episode we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess fat in health and when changes in weight are good and when they're not.
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
November 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Too many times we hear people (influencers) equate weight with health. But that's misguided.
In this episode we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess fat in health and when changes in weight are good and when they're not.
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
In this episode we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess fat in health and when changes in weight are good and when they're not.
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
It's International Sudoku Day!
Puzzles and games are associated with preventing cognitive decline and being less likely to get dementia.
Puzzles and games are associated with preventing cognitive decline and being less likely to get dementia.
September 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
It's International Sudoku Day!
Puzzles and games are associated with preventing cognitive decline and being less likely to get dementia.
Puzzles and games are associated with preventing cognitive decline and being less likely to get dementia.
1/2 Daily physical activity can (instantly!) improve the way you think.
Small study found that activity was associated with improved cognitive ability equivalent to reversing 4 years of aging:
academic.oup.com/abm/article-...
#exercise #health #fitness
Small study found that activity was associated with improved cognitive ability equivalent to reversing 4 years of aging:
academic.oup.com/abm/article-...
#exercise #health #fitness
August 19, 2025 at 1:16 PM
1/2 Daily physical activity can (instantly!) improve the way you think.
Small study found that activity was associated with improved cognitive ability equivalent to reversing 4 years of aging:
academic.oup.com/abm/article-...
#exercise #health #fitness
Small study found that activity was associated with improved cognitive ability equivalent to reversing 4 years of aging:
academic.oup.com/abm/article-...
#exercise #health #fitness
The path to more activity? Go to bed earlier.
Over the course of one year, when people slept earlier, their activity the next day was higher.
@PNASNews: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#exercise #sleep #publichealth
Over the course of one year, when people slept earlier, their activity the next day was higher.
@PNASNews: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#exercise #sleep #publichealth
August 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The path to more activity? Go to bed earlier.
Over the course of one year, when people slept earlier, their activity the next day was higher.
@PNASNews: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#exercise #sleep #publichealth
Over the course of one year, when people slept earlier, their activity the next day was higher.
@PNASNews: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
#exercise #sleep #publichealth
Work less, be more productive?
Study in 6 countries found 4-day work week led to:
⬆️wellbeing
⬇️burnout
⬆️job satisfaction
Likely due to better sleep, improved work ability & less fatigue. This was compared to companies that stayed with 5-day work week.
#publichealth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Study in 6 countries found 4-day work week led to:
⬆️wellbeing
⬇️burnout
⬆️job satisfaction
Likely due to better sleep, improved work ability & less fatigue. This was compared to companies that stayed with 5-day work week.
#publichealth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Work less, be more productive?
Study in 6 countries found 4-day work week led to:
⬆️wellbeing
⬇️burnout
⬆️job satisfaction
Likely due to better sleep, improved work ability & less fatigue. This was compared to companies that stayed with 5-day work week.
#publichealth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Study in 6 countries found 4-day work week led to:
⬆️wellbeing
⬇️burnout
⬆️job satisfaction
Likely due to better sleep, improved work ability & less fatigue. This was compared to companies that stayed with 5-day work week.
#publichealth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Greening the lab: Creation of a national playbook on environmental sustainability in lab medicine.
How healthcare can help with reducing pollution:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#publichealth
How healthcare can help with reducing pollution:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#publichealth
July 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Greening the lab: Creation of a national playbook on environmental sustainability in lab medicine.
How healthcare can help with reducing pollution:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#publichealth
How healthcare can help with reducing pollution:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#publichealth
Never too late to start!
Moderate & vigorous activity in seniors associated with longer life and ⬇️chance of early death as measured by accelerometer.
Light activity was beneficial but to a lesser extent.
#publichealth #exercise #fitness
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
Moderate & vigorous activity in seniors associated with longer life and ⬇️chance of early death as measured by accelerometer.
Light activity was beneficial but to a lesser extent.
#publichealth #exercise #fitness
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
July 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Never too late to start!
Moderate & vigorous activity in seniors associated with longer life and ⬇️chance of early death as measured by accelerometer.
Light activity was beneficial but to a lesser extent.
#publichealth #exercise #fitness
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
Moderate & vigorous activity in seniors associated with longer life and ⬇️chance of early death as measured by accelerometer.
Light activity was beneficial but to a lesser extent.
#publichealth #exercise #fitness
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
Want to ⬆ your productivity, put your phone on silent & away.
When people put their phone on silent or in another room, attention span increased. Even the presence of the phone nearby was enough to reduce cognitive capacity & lead to 'brain drain'.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
When people put their phone on silent or in another room, attention span increased. Even the presence of the phone nearby was enough to reduce cognitive capacity & lead to 'brain drain'.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
July 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Want to ⬆ your productivity, put your phone on silent & away.
When people put their phone on silent or in another room, attention span increased. Even the presence of the phone nearby was enough to reduce cognitive capacity & lead to 'brain drain'.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
When people put their phone on silent or in another room, attention span increased. Even the presence of the phone nearby was enough to reduce cognitive capacity & lead to 'brain drain'.
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
Looking to lose weight?
No clear winner between intermittent fasting and continuous calorie restriction as indicated in this meta-analysis. This is good news for people who want choice in their dietary options.
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
#weightloss #diet
No clear winner between intermittent fasting and continuous calorie restriction as indicated in this meta-analysis. This is good news for people who want choice in their dietary options.
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
#weightloss #diet
June 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Looking to lose weight?
No clear winner between intermittent fasting and continuous calorie restriction as indicated in this meta-analysis. This is good news for people who want choice in their dietary options.
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
#weightloss #diet
No clear winner between intermittent fasting and continuous calorie restriction as indicated in this meta-analysis. This is good news for people who want choice in their dietary options.
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
#weightloss #diet
Study didn't include a comparison to alcoholic beer, only to water.
Basically study indicates it's best to have in moderation. But going from two beers to day to two n/a beers per day is still a healthier choice.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17...
Basically study indicates it's best to have in moderation. But going from two beers to day to two n/a beers per day is still a healthier choice.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17...
June 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Study didn't include a comparison to alcoholic beer, only to water.
Basically study indicates it's best to have in moderation. But going from two beers to day to two n/a beers per day is still a healthier choice.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17...
Basically study indicates it's best to have in moderation. But going from two beers to day to two n/a beers per day is still a healthier choice.
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17...
Non-alcoholic #beer is a good alternative to beer, but...
Study found 2 per day for 4 wks led to ⬆ glucose, triglycerides & insulin compared to water likely due to the sugar and calorie content.
That being said, most n/a beers have << sugar & calories than pop.
link below 👇
Study found 2 per day for 4 wks led to ⬆ glucose, triglycerides & insulin compared to water likely due to the sugar and calorie content.
That being said, most n/a beers have << sugar & calories than pop.
link below 👇
June 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Non-alcoholic #beer is a good alternative to beer, but...
Study found 2 per day for 4 wks led to ⬆ glucose, triglycerides & insulin compared to water likely due to the sugar and calorie content.
That being said, most n/a beers have << sugar & calories than pop.
link below 👇
Study found 2 per day for 4 wks led to ⬆ glucose, triglycerides & insulin compared to water likely due to the sugar and calorie content.
That being said, most n/a beers have << sugar & calories than pop.
link below 👇
Exercise treats colon #cancer.
Colon cancer patients who received #exercise counselling had 37% lower chances of death in randomized study.
There was lower chance for cancer recurrence & new cancers. The effect similar to commonly used drug treatments.
#publichealth
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Colon cancer patients who received #exercise counselling had 37% lower chances of death in randomized study.
There was lower chance for cancer recurrence & new cancers. The effect similar to commonly used drug treatments.
#publichealth
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
June 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Exercise treats colon #cancer.
Colon cancer patients who received #exercise counselling had 37% lower chances of death in randomized study.
There was lower chance for cancer recurrence & new cancers. The effect similar to commonly used drug treatments.
#publichealth
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Colon cancer patients who received #exercise counselling had 37% lower chances of death in randomized study.
There was lower chance for cancer recurrence & new cancers. The effect similar to commonly used drug treatments.
#publichealth
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Lifelong adult physical activity has foundations in adolescence and young adulthood.
"We identified that collegiate sport exposure,
particularly participation in multiple sports, is
associated with higher PA throughout all of
midlife in males."
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
"We identified that collegiate sport exposure,
particularly participation in multiple sports, is
associated with higher PA throughout all of
midlife in males."
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
May 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Lifelong adult physical activity has foundations in adolescence and young adulthood.
"We identified that collegiate sport exposure,
particularly participation in multiple sports, is
associated with higher PA throughout all of
midlife in males."
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
"We identified that collegiate sport exposure,
particularly participation in multiple sports, is
associated with higher PA throughout all of
midlife in males."
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/1...
1/2 Can sitting shrink your brain?
Study in older adults found greater sitting time associated with ⬇️ in hippocampal volume and cognitive function over 7 years: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#BrainHealth
Study in older adults found greater sitting time associated with ⬇️ in hippocampal volume and cognitive function over 7 years: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#BrainHealth
May 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
1/2 Can sitting shrink your brain?
Study in older adults found greater sitting time associated with ⬇️ in hippocampal volume and cognitive function over 7 years: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#BrainHealth
Study in older adults found greater sitting time associated with ⬇️ in hippocampal volume and cognitive function over 7 years: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#BrainHealth
Your weight is not your health.
The #WeightLoss loss industry will be worth $400 billion by 2030. In this podcast we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess body fat (not weight) in health and when changes in weight are good.
#publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
The #WeightLoss loss industry will be worth $400 billion by 2030. In this podcast we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess body fat (not weight) in health and when changes in weight are good.
#publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
May 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Your weight is not your health.
The #WeightLoss loss industry will be worth $400 billion by 2030. In this podcast we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess body fat (not weight) in health and when changes in weight are good.
#publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
The #WeightLoss loss industry will be worth $400 billion by 2030. In this podcast we discuss why people equate weight with health, the role of excess body fat (not weight) in health and when changes in weight are good.
#publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0er3...
Increasing activity later in life may prevent accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques.
Study found people who became active had less brain Aβ burden compared to those who reduced activity or remained inactive @alzassociation: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#exercise
Study found people who became active had less brain Aβ burden compared to those who reduced activity or remained inactive @alzassociation: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#exercise
May 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Increasing activity later in life may prevent accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques.
Study found people who became active had less brain Aβ burden compared to those who reduced activity or remained inactive @alzassociation: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#exercise
Study found people who became active had less brain Aβ burden compared to those who reduced activity or remained inactive @alzassociation: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#exercise
Are you flourishing?
Of 22 countries, Indonesia had highest scores of flourishing (all aspects of a person’s life are good, including context in which that person live).
In general, countries with highest GDP had lowest flourishing scores @NatMentHealth: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Of 22 countries, Indonesia had highest scores of flourishing (all aspects of a person’s life are good, including context in which that person live).
In general, countries with highest GDP had lowest flourishing scores @NatMentHealth: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
May 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Are you flourishing?
Of 22 countries, Indonesia had highest scores of flourishing (all aspects of a person’s life are good, including context in which that person live).
In general, countries with highest GDP had lowest flourishing scores @NatMentHealth: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Of 22 countries, Indonesia had highest scores of flourishing (all aspects of a person’s life are good, including context in which that person live).
In general, countries with highest GDP had lowest flourishing scores @NatMentHealth: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
I'm looking forward to competing in Science Slam on May 15th at the Fox Cabaret in Vancouver.
#exercise #publichealth
Get your tickets here:
3common.com/event/blosso...
#exercise #publichealth
Get your tickets here:
3common.com/event/blosso...
May 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I'm looking forward to competing in Science Slam on May 15th at the Fox Cabaret in Vancouver.
#exercise #publichealth
Get your tickets here:
3common.com/event/blosso...
#exercise #publichealth
Get your tickets here:
3common.com/event/blosso...
Exercise can counter side-effects of #cancer treatment.
A review or randomized trials found #exercise following cancer can improve health outcomes & mental well-being and reduce side-effects from cancer treatment.
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
A review or randomized trials found #exercise following cancer can improve health outcomes & mental well-being and reduce side-effects from cancer treatment.
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
May 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Exercise can counter side-effects of #cancer treatment.
A review or randomized trials found #exercise following cancer can improve health outcomes & mental well-being and reduce side-effects from cancer treatment.
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
A review or randomized trials found #exercise following cancer can improve health outcomes & mental well-being and reduce side-effects from cancer treatment.
#publichealth
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
Would you were a smartshirt to log your workouts?
"...SeamFit detects exercises with an accuracy of 89%, classifies exercises with an accuracy of 93.4%, and counts exercises with an error of 0.9 counts, on average."
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
#exercise #fitness
"...SeamFit detects exercises with an accuracy of 89%, classifies exercises with an accuracy of 93.4%, and counts exercises with an error of 0.9 counts, on average."
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
#exercise #fitness
April 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Would you were a smartshirt to log your workouts?
"...SeamFit detects exercises with an accuracy of 89%, classifies exercises with an accuracy of 93.4%, and counts exercises with an error of 0.9 counts, on average."
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
#exercise #fitness
"...SeamFit detects exercises with an accuracy of 89%, classifies exercises with an accuracy of 93.4%, and counts exercises with an error of 0.9 counts, on average."
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
#exercise #fitness
Because we've all read:
April 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Because we've all read:
Every 3 sec someone is diagnosed with dementia. There's no cure for dementia making prevention all the more important.
In this podcast we discuss what is dementia, it's risk factors and how your lifestyle affects your chances of getting #dementia. #publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0rZF...
In this podcast we discuss what is dementia, it's risk factors and how your lifestyle affects your chances of getting #dementia. #publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0rZF...
April 14, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Every 3 sec someone is diagnosed with dementia. There's no cure for dementia making prevention all the more important.
In this podcast we discuss what is dementia, it's risk factors and how your lifestyle affects your chances of getting #dementia. #publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0rZF...
In this podcast we discuss what is dementia, it's risk factors and how your lifestyle affects your chances of getting #dementia. #publichealth
open.spotify.com/episode/0rZF...
3/3 Increasing physical activity of any kind was associated with ⬇️ risk for #cancer went down.
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
April 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
3/3 Increasing physical activity of any kind was associated with ⬇️ risk for #cancer went down.
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
2/3 Replacing 1 hr of sedentary time with activity resulted in reductions in cancer risk as follows:
⭐️light activity ⬇️7%
⭐moderate/vigorous activity ⬇12%
⭐️light activity ⬇️7%
⭐moderate/vigorous activity ⬇12%
April 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
2/3 Replacing 1 hr of sedentary time with activity resulted in reductions in cancer risk as follows:
⭐️light activity ⬇️7%
⭐moderate/vigorous activity ⬇12%
⭐️light activity ⬇️7%
⭐moderate/vigorous activity ⬇12%
1/3 Walk your way to lower #cancer risk.🚶🚶♂️🚶♀️
Study of 85K people found the more steps per day, the lower the chances for getting cancer.
Walking 5000 steps/day resulted in⬇️20% risk compared to 3000 steps, and risk continued to go down with more steps. #exercise #publichealth
Study of 85K people found the more steps per day, the lower the chances for getting cancer.
Walking 5000 steps/day resulted in⬇️20% risk compared to 3000 steps, and risk continued to go down with more steps. #exercise #publichealth
April 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
1/3 Walk your way to lower #cancer risk.🚶🚶♂️🚶♀️
Study of 85K people found the more steps per day, the lower the chances for getting cancer.
Walking 5000 steps/day resulted in⬇️20% risk compared to 3000 steps, and risk continued to go down with more steps. #exercise #publichealth
Study of 85K people found the more steps per day, the lower the chances for getting cancer.
Walking 5000 steps/day resulted in⬇️20% risk compared to 3000 steps, and risk continued to go down with more steps. #exercise #publichealth