Stars 4 Kidz

Posts Tagged ‘childrens health’

I am a pediatric chiropractor who is just about at the end of my rope when it comes to the unconscionable junk that is being offered to our children as “treats.” When I was a kid, my mom wouldn’t let me drink soda pop except on special occasions, like when we went to the movies or to the amusement park. Otherwise, we kids drank milk, and plenty of it! But, today’s kids, and teens in particular, face a more significant problem than “mere” sugary drinks. American kids are chugging energy drinks at an accelerated rate, and there is growing concern among health care professionals that the ingredients in these sugary-caffeine (so-called) beverages might be putting kids and teens at risk. The worst part about it is that the cauldron of ingredients that include dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbal extracts that are not easily monitored! And, it is for this very reason, the inclusion of vitamins and herbal extracts, that these beverages are classified as nutritional supplements and receive much less scrutiny and have fewer restrictions than both foods and drugs.

The damage that energy drinks are causing is measurable and of great concern. In a new report issued Monday, Florida pediatricians describe cases of seizures, delusions, heart problems and kidney or liver damage in children who had downed one or more non-alcoholic energy drinks. I am a great proponent of vitamins and supplements, but the manufacturers of energy drinks who are pawning off these non-nutritional and potential harmful drinks need to be shut down, as far as I’m concerned.

Parents, as always, it’s up to you to keep the “bad” stuff away from your kids. There are plenty of ways for your child to get “energy” that are healthy — like kinetic activity such as playing sports, running, riding a bicycle, etc. These drinks are a sugar/caffeine rush that will send your kids health down quickly!
Source: reuters.com

Technorati Tags: childrens health, dangers of energy drinks for kids, energy drinks, new study

Most of us, whether we are medical doctors, chiropractors, other health professionals, or laypeople know by now that one in three US children are obese. But, did you also know that studies have found that nearly one in five children becomes overweight or obese by age 6, and that more than half of obese children become overweight before the age of 2? And, if those statistics don’t shock you, try this: Nearly 6 percent of infants younger than six months are overweight today, up from 3.4 percent between 1980 and 2001. The “chubby baby” that, back in the day, epitomized good health (as opposed to malnutrition) is now a dangerous sign that childhood obesity is happening “from the start.”

First lady Michelle Obama, our country’s children’s health advocate, who released 70 goals as part of the government’s campaign against childhood obesity, said that panel found that women could help reduce childhood obesity by 1) maintaining a healthy weight when they become pregnant and 2) by breast-feeding their babies. “For the first time, the nation will have goals, benchmarks and measureable outcomes that will help us tackle the childhood obesity epidemic one child, one family and one community at a time,” Mrs. Obama said.

Obese and overweight children are at higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other illnesses, and some public health experts say, if this trend isn’t remedied, children today may live shorter lives than their parents. Mrs. Obama said that the goal is to solve the problem so babies born today will come of age at a healthy weight. Of course, there’s much to be done, but the problem is urgent indeed. And, though over dozen federal agencies, including the Education, Agriculture, Health, Interior and Transportation departments, participated in the Childhood Obesity Task Force, it holds an “advisory only” position.

We can all become children’s health advocates by writing to our government representatives and letting them know that that we want action, in addition to advice, when it comes to the health of our country’s children, such as the proactive step that Congress has taken to begin the process of updating the guidelines for foods served in schools, including what is offered by vending machines.

Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, childhood obesity, Childhood Obesity Task Force, childrens health

As a chiropractor and children’s health advocate I was very excited when I read the article in the New York Times this morning about the crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration on the sale of flavored cigarettes. The announcement was made by Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of food and drugs. The ban is intended to end the sale of tobacco products with chocolate, vanilla, clove and other flavorings that lure children and teenagers into smoking. The agency will study regulating menthol products and hinted that it might soon take action against the far larger market of flavored small cigars and cigarillos. “These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers,” Dr. Hamburg said in announcing the ban.

Laws are required, and should be strenuously enforced, when there seems to be no conscience on the part of big business, especially when it comes to the health of our children. This ban is wonderful news as studies show that every day 3,600 children and teenagers start smoking and 1,100 become daily smokers.

Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, hailed Tuesday’s announcement and said it clearly applied to flavored small cigars that are virtually identical to cigarettes. “The F.D.A. demonstrated that they’re serious about enforcing the ban on flavored cigarettes and serious about preventing tobacco companies from circumventing that ban with other tobacco products that appeal to children,” Mr. Myers said.

For the full article and sources, go to: nytimes.com

Technorati Tags: childrens health, flavored cigarettes, Food and Drug Administration