The Body of Evidence

Limiting screen time in kids is easier said than done. Also, how much is too much? Will new laws limiting access to social media for kids and teens do anything?

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Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Auriane Journet

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

American College of Pediatricians. Media use and screen time: its impact on children, adolescents, and families. 2020.

Canadian Heritage. Government of Canada introduces legislation to make social media services and AI chatbots safer for children. 10 June 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2026/06/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-make-social-media-services-and-ai-chatbots-safer-for-children.html

Cerniglia L, Cimino S, Ammaniti M. What are the effects of screen time on emotion regulation and academic achievements? A three-wave longitudinal study on children from 4 to 8 years of age. Journal of Early Childhood Research. 2021;19(2):145-60.

COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA, David Hill, Nusheen Ameenuddin, Yolanda (Linda) Reid Chassiakos, Corinn Cross, Jeffrey Hutchinson, Alanna Levine, Rhea Boyd, Robert Mendelson, Megan Moreno, Wendy Sue Swanson; Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics November 2016; 138 (5): e20162591. 10.1542/peds.2016-2591

Esfandiari M, Sciacca B, Feijóo S, Laffan DA, Milosevic T, O'Toole C, et al. Trends in digital technologies to address children's online safety education: A systematic scoping review. International Journal of Educational Research Open. 2025;9:100462.

Gallup. Screens ubiquitous in classrooms; teachers split on efficacy. September 2026. https://news.gallup.com/poll/714479/screens-ubiquitous-classrooms-teachers-split-efficacy.aspx

Hinkley T, McCann JR. Mothers' and father's perceptions of the risks and benefits of screen time and physical activity during early childhood: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6199-6

Institut de la statistique du Québec. L'utilisation des écrans chez les tout-petits d'environ un an et demi et leurs parents. 2024. https://statistique.quebec.ca/fr/produit/publication/utilisation-ecrans-tout-petits-environ-un-an-et-demi-et-leurs-parents

Livingstone S, Helsper EJ. Parental Mediation of Children's Internet Use. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. 2008;52(4):581-99.

McClain, C., Sidoti, O., Faverio, M., & Lama, S. (2025, October 8). How parents approach their kids' screen time. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2025/10/PI_2025.10.08_Parents-Kids-Screens_REPORT.pdf

Médias24. Réseaux sociaux : la France interdit l'accès aux moins de 15 ans. 22 July 2026. https://medias24.com/2026/07/22/reseaux-sociaux-la-france-interdit-lacces-aux-moins-de-15-ans-1728491/

Miller CC, Mervosh S. How Much Screen Time Is Your Child Getting at School? We Asked 350 Teachers. The New York Times. 2025.

Vasconcellos, R. P., Sanders, T., Lonsdale, C., Parker, P., Conigrave, J., Tang, S., Del Pozo Cruz, B., Biddle, S. J. H., Taylor, R., Innes-Hughes, C., Salmela-Aro, K., Vasconcellos, D., Wilhite, K., Tremaine, E., Booker, B., & Noetel, M. (2025). Electronic screen use and children's socioemotional problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological bulletin, 151(5), 513–543. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000468

Qu G, Hu W, Meng J, Wang X, Su W, Liu H, et al. Association between screen time and developmental and behavioral problems among children in the United States: evidence from 2018 to 2020 NSCH. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2023;161:140-9.

Tamana SK, Ezeugwu V, Chikuma J, Lefebvre DL, Azad MB, Moraes TJ, et al. Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213995

TechPolicy.Press. Early Lessons from Australia's Teen Social Media Ban for the Rest of the World. 2026. https://www.techpolicy.press/early-lessons-from-australias-teen-social-media-ban-for-the-rest-of-the-world/

Toigo S, Wang C, Prince SA, Varin M, Roberts KC, Betancourt MT. Recreational screen time and mental health among Canadian children and youth. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada. 2025;45(7-8):311-22.

The Apple Watch Series 12 is doubling down on its new Readiness Scores and HRV. How well does it work and how much can rely on heart rate variability to tell us anything about our health.

*** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

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Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1. Chris article on HRV for the Montreal Gazette: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/labos-ive-got-no-time-for-apple-watchs-new-health-sensing-system/

2. Eric Topol's review on wearable tech and HRV: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-big-holes-in-wearable-heart-rate

3. A primer on how to measure HRV https://www.empirical.health/blog/how-wearables-measure-hrv/

4. How well does wearable tech correspond with ECG derived measures of HRV: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/26/16/5192?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

5. A review of readiness scores: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/teb-2025-0001/html

Sex, scandals, love triangles, questionable decisions... and the occasional medical emergency.

It's been more than 20 years since Grey's Anatomy first hit our screens, and we're going back to Seattle Grace Hospital to relive every messy, McDreamy moment.

But don't worry. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled Body of Evidence programming next week. We just thought we'd share the first episode of our NEW podcast, Seriously?! A Grey's Anatomy Rewatch Podcast with you, too!

We're watching every episode from the very beginning, breaking down the medical mysteries, the questionable science, the relationships, the heartbreak, and all the drama that made this show a pop culture phenomenon.

Is the medicine actually accurate? Would any of these doctors still have their medical licences? And seriously, why is EVERYONE sleeping with EVERYONE?!

Join us for Seriously?! A Grey's Anatomy Rewatch Podcast, coming soon wherever you get your podcasts.

Because sometimes, the only appropriate reaction is... SERIOUSLY?!

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

Friend of the show, Nick Tiller has a new book out looking at the wellness industry and why we have such trouble distinguishing fact from fiction when it comes to your well-being. Hint: money and marketing play a role.

*** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1. Nick's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/health-and-wellness-lie-9781399424240/

Diverticulosis patients are often told to avoid seeds and nuts because small food particles will get stuck in the crevices of their colon and cause diverticulitis. But that may not be true. Chris and Sophie debunk this oft repeated piece of advice for a disase that Sophie never heard of until today.

*** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1. Burden of diverticulosis: https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(09)00045-6/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F

2. Increasing diverticulosis in young: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-021-06956-w

3. Epidemiology of diverticulosis by country:

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123688

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23385677/

1. Low fiber diet and diverticulosis: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033

2. Diverticulitis prevalence: https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0b013e3181952888

3. Diverticulitis risk factors and lifestyle: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112202/

4. Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.8.907

5. Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.7326/annals-24-03353

6. The DINMATO trial on antibiotic use in mild cases of diverticulitis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34183510/

Many of us assume that we are visual learners, or we learn by doing or by seeing something on the printed page. Whether you've heard of it or not, the VARK system has probably influenced how you think you learn best. But it's complete pseudoscience. Katie Dyer joins to debunk one of the most long held and commonly believed pieces of misinformation out there.

JOIN OUR STUDY HERE: https://bit.ly/digitaldietstudy

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Host: Christopher Labos

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

1. Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. A. (2008). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x

2. Husmann, P. R., & O'Loughlin, V. D. (2019). Another nail in the coffin for learning styles? Disparities among undergraduate anatomy students' study strategies, class performance, and reported VARK learning styles. Anatomical Sciences Education, 12(1), 6–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1777

A viewer question asks how dangerous marathons and longer races are. Also, there is new data about coronary calcifications in marathon runners. Given that the first person to ever run a marathon dropped dead in the Agora of Athens after delivering his fateful message, there are reasons to be concerned that very long distance races are not good for you.

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Auriane Journet

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

• RunRepeat. The State of Ultra Running 2020. https://runrepeat.com/state-of-ultra-running

• RunSignup. 2025 Ultramarathon Statistics. https://info.runsignup.com/2026/04/16/2025-ultramarathon-statistics/

• Schnohr, P, O'Keefe, J, Marott, J. et al. Dose of Jogging and Long-Term Mortality: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. JACC. 2015 Feb, 65 (5) 411–419.

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.11.023

• Pedisic, Zeljko et al. "Is running associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and is the more the better? A systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 54,15 (2020): 898-905. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100493

• Lee, D, Pate, R, Lavie, C. et al. Leisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk. JACC. 2014 Aug, 64 (5) 472–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.058

• Kim, Jonathan H et al. "Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races." JAMA vol. 333,19 (2025): 1699-1707. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.3026

• Newman, William et al. "Risk of atrial fibrillation in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 55,21 (2021): 1233-1238. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-103994

• Videbæk S, Bueno AM, Nielsen RO, Rasmussen S. Incidence of running-related injuries per 1000 h of running in different types of runners. Sports Med. 2015;45(7):1017–1026. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-015-0333-8

• Alentorn-Geli, Eduard et al. "The Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy vol. 47,6 (2017): 373-390. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7137

• Heikura, Ida A., Arja L.T. Uusitalo, Trent Stellingwerff, Dan Bergland, Antti A. Mero, and Louise M. Burke. "Low Energy Availability Is Difficult to Assess but Outcomes Have Large Impact on Bone Injury Rates in Elite Distance Athletes". International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 28.4 (2018): 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0313

The term has become synonymous with ignorance, incompetence, nincompoopery, crankiness and just being dumb. But what does the Dunning-Kruger effect really mean and is it even real?? David Dunning joins to discuss how much of the popular understanding is actually evidence based.

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

2) The original 1999 paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-15054-002

3) Other examples of the Dunning-Kruger phenomenon: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12712114/

4) The statistical arguments of the Dunning-Kruger effect being a statistical artefact: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289620300271

Why is endometriosis so hard to diagnose and why do most people not really know what it is? For something so common, endometriosis is rarely talked about. Until today.

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

ESHRE guideline: endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35350465/

Time to Diagnose Endometriosis: Current Status, Challenges and Regional Characteristics-A Systematic Literature Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39373298/

Barriers to a Timely Diagnosis of Endometriosis: A Qualitative Systematic Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441792/

Factors Associated with Time to Endometriosis Diagnosis in the United States https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28440744/

Rethinking the pathogenesis of endometriosis: Complex interactions of genomic, epigenetic, and environmental factors https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39293995/

The Immunopathophysiology of Endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054239/

Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: A novel, evidence-based, unifying theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28571791/

Navigating towards precision: evaluating the clinical value of non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38576337/

ACOG Publishes New Endometriosis Clinical Guidance, Aiming to Shorten Time to Diagnosis and Improve Access to Care https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2026/02/acog-publishes-new-endometriosis-clinical-guidance-aiming-shorten-time-diagnosis-improve-access-care

Diagnosis of Endometriosis https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-practice-guideline/articles/2026/03/diagnosis-of-endometriosis

Polycystic ovarian syndrome now has a new name, polyendocrine metabolic syndrome. But not everyone is happy. Is this progress or just a label swap?

Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you!

http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE

Email us your questions at [email protected].

Hosts: Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor: Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian

Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

The Lancet (2026): Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process - ScienceDirect

International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS: International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 2023 - Monash University

Historical / context

NIH Methodology Workshop (2012): Evidence-based Methodology Workshop on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | NIH Office of Disease Prevention Website

Commentary / debate

JAMA Medical News (2026): PCOS Is Now PMOS—Will a New Name Translate to Improved Clinical Care? | Reproductive Health | JAMA | JAMA Network

BMJ Commentary (2026): PCOS name change to PMOS must be managed to avoid confusing patients, says expert | The BMJ

Patient-facing summaries

Endocrine Society (2026): Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care of condition affecting 170 million women worldwide | Endocrine Society

Yale Medicine (2026): PCOS Is Renamed PMOS: What You Need to Know | News | Yale Medicine