A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Oct. 29, 2007:
Kids
Numb to the Outdoor World
From 2003 to 2007 the proportion of kids ages 9 to 12 nationwide who spend
time doing activities outside dropped 50 percent, according to researchers
at the University of Maryland. Parents and other experts blame this disconnect
from nature on increasing homework, academic pressure and technological
temptations such as video games and the Internet. A related study by the
Public Policy Institute of California found that children from low-income
and minority families are less likely to spend time outdoors than other
kids. (SF Chronicle, 10/22/07, by Fimrite)
U.S. Schools Step Up Fitness and Nutrition
A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
found that school-based programs implemented to combat childhood obesity
and improve student nutrition and fitness have shown some success. Banning
junk food from vending machines, increasing physical education programs
and prohibiting smoking are among the steps schools have taken to improve
fitness and nutrition among students nationwide. (NY Times, 10/20/07,
by Sack)
Mothers
Debate Cold Medicine Ban
Mothers are divided about the recent recommendation by a Food and Drug
Administration safety official to ban over-the-counter cold medicines
for children under age 6. Many parents say they will continue to use the
drugs, but will be more careful, and others say they will avoid the medications
entirely. (NY Times, 10/20/07, by McNeil Jr.)
Children and Industrial Chemicals
Some children who have undergone new "body burden testing" were
found to have higher levels of industrial chemicals in
their blood than their parents. Many experts are concerned that chemicals
such as these may be responsible for developmental disorders and increasing
chronic illnesses in children, but others say the mere presence of the
chemicals does not show a causal link. The Environmental Protection Agency
does not require human toxicity tests before approving chemicals, and
some parents are asking for legislation for stricter requirements. (CNN.com,
10/22/07, by Miller)
Study: Uncontrolled Asthma Leads to Missed School, Work
A study by the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver found
that children with asthma missed 145 percent more school days than their
peers, and adults with asthma missed 208 percent more work days. (Healthday
News, 10/23/07, by Gordon)
Co-Sleeping
Becoming More Popular
Parent and child co-sleeping is becoming more common, according to a report
in the journal Infant and Child Development. In 2000, nearly 13 percent
of parents reported sleeping with their infants, up from 6 percent in
1993. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against co-sleeping, noting
the risk of a child being accidentally smothered by covers or a parent.
(NY Times, 10/23/07, by Pope)
House
Passes New SCHIP Bill, Bush Promises Another Veto
The House of Representatives this week passed a revised version of legislation
to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation
did not pass with enough votes to override a threatened veto from President
Bush. (NY Times, 10/26/07, by Pear)
Editorial:
Find a Way to Insure America's
Children.
This New York Times editorial urges Congress to find a way to pass expanded
legislation for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
despite repeated veto threats from the president. The editorial suggests
that a state's cost of living should be taken into account when deciding
who qualifies for SCHIP. (NY Times, 10/26/07)
Column: Education Videos Aren't Always Good
This column by Stanford psychiatry professor Keith Humphreys, PhD, notes
that while many parents may rely on videos and television programs aimed
at stimulating babies' brains, a recent study in the Journal of Pediatrics
found that the more hours of educational videos an infant watches, the
fewer words they know. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no
television before age 2. (SF Chronicle, 10/26/07, by Humphreys)
Study:
Obesity Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Children
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis,
have found that obese children show early signs of heart disease. The
study's authors said their findings may help predict heart attacks and
heart disease at an earlier age than previously thought. (HealthDay News,
10/24/07 )
School Nurses Face Expanded Role
This New York Times article profiles the life of a middle school nurse
responsible for more than 1,000 students. As chronic diseases such as
asthma and diabetes become more common among children, and academic pressures
grow, a school nurse's job has expanded to include acute care, preventive
care, and emotional health counseling. (NY Times, 10/16/07, by Hoffman)
| 
