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A weekly round-up of health news stories that grabbed our attention from around the world over the last 7 days: France most depressed country in the world, McDonald’s reducing their Happy Meal calories, optimism may reduce depression, new study looks at emotional eating and muscle building helps stave off diabetes.

Calorie Counts on Menus Work. Sort of
A survey on American fast food customers on the effectiveness of putting calorie counts on fast food menus showed that only 15% of people read the counts and ordered fewer calories as a result of it. Experts believe that if they want the scheme to improve, more education would still be needed. (BBC News)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Lowers Dementia Risk
A study that followed 2000 older women over 5 years found that those who consumed a lot of oily fish were less likely to develop dementia. This would suggest a possible connection between consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids and a lowered risk of dementia. (WebMD)

Optimism Lowers Stroke Risk
In a study by doctoral students at the University of Michigan, there was an association found between optimism and a lower stroke risk. While this wasn’t a cause and effect relationship, there was definitely an association between the two. (USA Today)

Belly Fat Not as Problematic
A new study points to the fact that all belly fat might not be associated with heart disease. Researchers found that the fat stored in the liver is the reason why even people with no belly fat might incur heart disease while some obese people might still not be worried. (Web MD)

McDonald’s Happy Meals Go on Diet
Finally succumbing to public pressure, McDonald’s announced that they will cut their kids Happy Meals calorie content by 20% by halving the number of fries and adding fruit. The toys, often criticised for rewarding unhealthy meals, will still continue. (New York Times)

Study Looks at Emotional Eating
A small new study has found that hormones in the stomach might be the cause of what is called emotional eating. Turns out that these hormones continue communicating with the brain even when there is no hunger at all. (CNN)

Global Depression Rankings
After interviewing more than 80,000 people in 18 countries, a WHO study found France and USA to be the countries with most depressed people with 21% vand 18% reporting having dealt with depression at one point in their life. India ranks low at 13 with only 9% people reporting depression. (Bloomberg)

Hepatitis Affects Millions
Medical experts say that global action is needed to control the spread of liver disease hepatitis. They said only a fraction of people benefit from the drugs and only 1 in 5 babies are vaccinated. (BBC News)

Muscle Beats Diabetes
A new study says that there is a connection between muscle building through exercise and reducing the risk of Type II diabetes. It’s not just reducing weight, it is important to increase muscle mass as well to avoid the disease. (Web MD)