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January 11, 2020
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Obesity could affect young brains Fatal fire Vermont research in Addison reveals obesity and County brain-development connection
From News & Staff Reports THE EAGLE
By Lou Varricchio STAFF WRITER
MIDDLEBURY | New research by the University of Vermont has revealed a genuine connection between childhood obesity and decreased functions in young brains. The new Vermontbased research was just published in the professional medical journal JAMA Pediatrics. “Our results show an important connection; that kids with higher BMI (body mass index) tend to have a thinner cerebral cortex, especially in the prefrontal area,” said Jennifer Laurent, an associate professor in at the University of Vermont’s Department of Nursing. She is lead author of the new study. “We found widespread thinning of (the) cerebral cortex” among research subjects with higher BMI, according to senior author Scott Mackey, a UVM assistant professor of psychiatry, but notably in the prefontal area, too. “That’s significant because we know that executive function, things like memory and the ability to plan, are controlled in that area of the brain.” “It could be that a thinner prefrontal cortex is affecting decision-making in some children, and they make unhealthy dietary choices as a result, which could lead to obesity,” Laurent said. Or the causal relationship could work in
A UVM brain scan from a new study shows a thinner prefrontal cortex in obese children. The cyan color is the prefrontal cortex. Obese children in the study had poorer working memory compared with normal weight research subjects. Photo by Brian Jenkins the opposite direction, she added. “We know from rodent models and adult studies that obesity can induce low grade inflammatory effects, which actually do alter cellular structure” and can lead to cardiovascular disease, Laurent said. “With prolonged exposure to obesity, it is possible that children have chronic inflammation, and that may actually be affecting their brain in the long term.” Laurent said the study shows there’s a big impact on public health care and related costs, too.
“We would want to proactively encourage changes in kids’ diets and exercise levels at a young age with the understanding that it’s not only the heart that is being affected by obesity, it is perhaps also the brain,” she said. “We did not look at behavior. It’s very important that this work not further stigmatize people who are obese or overweight. What we’re saying is that, according to our measures, we are seeing something that bears watching. How and if it translates to behavior is for future research to determine.” ■
GRANVILLE | On Jan. 5, at approximately 4:38 p.m., 911 operators received a call regarding a residential fire at 210 Post Office Hill Rd. in the town of Granville, Vermont. T he Gr a nv i l le Volu nte e r Fi re Department as well as local mutual aid departments responded to the scene to suppress the fi re. The fi re department reported there was indication that one of the residents was unaccounted for. Members of the Vermont State Police Field Force Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit along with the Division of Fire Safety, responded to investigate. At approximately 1329 hours, human remains were located within the debris of the structure. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was notified and an Assistant Medical Examiner (AME) responded to assist investigators at the scene. The remains will be sent to the OCME in Burlington for autopsy to try and determine cause and manner of death as well as a positive identification. The resident of this address, that is unaccounted for, has been identified as Nathan Twitchell, 37, of 210 Post Office Hill Rd. See FATAL FIRE » pg. 5
Ski fatality tarnishes end of 2019 season By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
MIDDLEBURY | A skiing accident on Dec. 28, at the Killington Ski Resort claimed the life of Jason Vitale, 48, of Baldwin, New York. The Vermont State Police were notified of a skiing accident at the Killington Ski Resort. Vitale was transported to the Rutland Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. “Vitale was traveling at a high rate of speed on an intermediate trail, when he lost control and collided with a tree,” according to an incident report by VSP Detective Sgt. Jamie Wright. “Vitale was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. Vitale was quickly moved off the mountain by members of the Killington Ski Patrol, however went into cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital where he later died as a result from his injuries.” Despite the headlines, skiing fatalities in Vermont are rare. According to USA Today’s Unofficial Networks, “Your chance of dying while skiing or snowboarding is extremely low. Statistically speaking, you are 100 times more likely to die canoeing than you are skiing down the slopes. In fact, your chances of dying with your boots on at a ski resort is less than one in a million. That being said, tragedies occur.” The 10-year industry average is 38 fatalities per season nationwide with most deaths occurring at ski areas located west of the Mississippi. ■
The Killington Ski Patrol responded quickly to move recreational skier Jason Vitale off Killington Mountain. But despite the patrol’s heroic efforts, Vitale was pronounced dead at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Photo by Lou Varricchio
SNOW, NEW YEAR ARRIVES IN ADDISON COUNTY
By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
Gov. Phil Scott: “Responders, road crews, utilities and many others have been planning for this storm and are working hard to minimize impacts and keep people safe.” File photo
MIDDLEBURY | The last week of December 2019 brought winter weather conditions more typical of mid January. On Dec. 31, Green Mountain Power (GMP) crews responded to outages caused by a winter storm which brought ice, some snow, and strong winds, especially along the U.S. Route 7 corridor and south of Rutland. Vermont meteorologist Roger Hill reported that the storm included thunderstorm in Bennington and more icing than first expected. According to GMP’s Kristin Kelly , “Crews confronted hazardous driving conditions, in some cases requiring chains to get around. GMP and safety officials are alerting customers to stay off the roads if possible, as forecasters say the wintry weather system
stayed over the region causing tricky travel.” On Dec. 31, Gov. Phil Scott urged residents to keep in touch with neighbors in need of help, if possible. “Responders, road crews, utilities and many others have been planning for this storm and are working hard to minimize impacts and keep people safe,” Scott said. “Individuals can assist by helping themselves and others. The most important thing we can ask of Vermonters is to check in on neighbors and exercise common sense and caution.” “GMP tracked multiple forecasts before the storm hit, so we could pre-position crews around our service territory and be in the right places to respond as safely and quickly as possible to repair damage and restore power,” said Mike Burke, GMP’s chief of field operations. Burke said GMP has restored power to about 3,600 customers by New Year’s Eve. ■
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