A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Tuesday, Jan. 16:
Study:
Overweight Risk High in Preteen Years for Girls
Girls are more likely to become overweight during the preteen
years than as teenagers, according to a recent study by researchers at
the National Institutes of Health. The study of more than 2,300 9-year-old
girls found that 2 to 5 percent became overweight each year, up to age
12. When they became teenagers, the rate dropped to 1 or 2 percent per
year. (AP, 1/7/07, by Neergaard)
'Obesity
Report Cards' Have Parents, Students Worried
Many school districts nationwide have begun sending home Body Mass
Index scores along with report cards -- a practice that has some students
and parents concerned. Some children are comparing their scores against
each other or have reduced the amount of food they eat -- without fully
understanding what the scores mean. Some school administrators say the
BMI scores point out a problem that schools can't fix due to budget constraints.
(NY Times, 1/8/07, by Kantor)
Teens
Know About Internet Safety
Although parents may be worried about online predators, many
teens have taken it upon themselves to stay safe from dangers on the Internet.
Many teens ages 12 to 17 who use social networking websites like myspace.com
set their online profiles to include only people they know and use the
tools the sites provide to limit access to their personal information,
according to a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
(SJ Mercury, 1/8/07, by Ackerman)
Schwarzenegger
Proposes Universal Health Insurance
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a sweeping $12 billion health
care plan that would require all Californians to have health insurance.
As part of the program, eligibility rules for the state's health program
for the poor would be eased in order to cover all uninsured children,
including those of illegal immigrants. (SJ Mercury, 1/9/06, by Zapler)
Screen
All Pregnancies for Down Syndrome, Doctors Say
The development of less invasive tests for Down Syndrome has
led doctors to encourage all pregnant women to undergo testing for the
disease. Previously, the more invasive technique of amniocentesis was
only recommended for pregnant women 35 and older. (NY Times, 1/9/07, by
Rabin)
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