A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007:
Active
Video Games Provide More Exercise Than Some Think
Video games that require users to engage in physical activity
can produce levels of fitness similar to that of walking, skipping, and
jogging, according to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic. The study
found that some games can burn more calories than walking on a treadmill.
(NY Times, 11/27/07, by Parker-Pope)
Studies Show Prevalence of Online Bullying
Cyberbullying is increasing among children, according to two
recent studies in the Journal of Adolescent Health. A study conducted
by nonprofit research organization Internet Solutions for Kids found that
34 percent of children ages 10 to 15 reported online harassment in the
previous year, and 8 percent said they are targeted at least monthly.
Another study, conducted by researchers at the University of New Hampshire
, found that 9 percent of children ages 10 to 17 reported they have been
harassed online in the previous year, an increase from 6 percent in 2000.
(AP, 11/28/07)
Hayashi: Support Health Insurance for Low-Income Kids
This Oakland Tribune opinion piece by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi,
D-Castro Valley , notes the importance of government-funded dental and
medical care for low- and middle-income children. Hayashi describes her
work to increase dental care reimbursement rates for Medicaid programs,
and encourages California residents to urge Congress to authorize emergency
funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. (Oakland Tribune,
11/28/07, by Hayashi)
Report: Immigration Level High, Many Kids Without Insurance
The number of immigrants living in the United States is at its
highest level since the 1920s, according to a report released by the Center
for Immigration Studies. About 30 percent of immigrants and their children
lack health insurance, the report found, noting that one-third of all
uninsured Americans are immigrants or children with an immigrant parent.
(NY Times, 11/29/07, by Preston)
Health Clubs Step Up to Demand for Child Fitness
Many adult health clubs are offering expanded fitness services
for children while their parents work out. About 4.1 million children
ages 6 to 17 in the U.S. are gym members with their parents, according
to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. Health
club officials say the child programs, which include sports like soccer,
dancing, rock climbing or gymnastics, help parents worry less about childhood
obesity while also building customer loyalty for the gym. (NY Times, 11/29/07,
by Isaacs)
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