July 2011 – Dr. Walt Larimore

31Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Why does TV viewing lead to obesity in children? Turns out there are several reasons

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

Obesity experts have been saying for over a decade that children who sit in front of the TV screen day in and day out tend to be heavier. However, experts are finding it's not only the couch potato effect, but the television ads children are watching, along with other factors that can add inches to their waistlines. (more…)

31Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Pediatrics group urges lawmakers to ban childhood obesity “media diet”

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America – with 17 percent of children aged 2 to 19 obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A report released by the American Academy of Pediatrics "has a new suggestion: ban companies from advertising junk food during children's television programs." (more…)

28Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Video violence keeps preschool kids awake at night

Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting

Researchers are reporting that violent content on the TV or computer during the day disrupts sleep for preschool children. And it's worse for any TV or computer time in the evening regardless of content, according to Michelle Garrison, PhD, and colleagues at the Seattle Children's Research Institute in Seattle. (more…)

28Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Even one glass of beer, wine boosts car crash risk

General Health, Mental Health

Even a single glass of beer or wine makes you, as a driver, more likely to speed, neglect seat-belts, and be in the striking vehicle, results of a new study shows. (more…)

27Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Teens look to parents as guide to healthy sexual behaviors

Children's Health, Parenting

Yet another study has shown what many parents are shocked to discover: Mom and Dad are most often the key to a teen developing highly healthy attitudes about sex -- NOT friends or the media. (more…)

26Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Could too much calcium harm your health? Here’s the latest.

Alternative Medicine, Bone Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health

Calcium is commonly used to prevent osteoporosis and fractures, but experts are now debating how much calcium is really needed, especially by women. (more…)

26Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Have you heard of Lazy Cakes Relaxation Brownies? Slowtivate? Unwind? Be careful!

Alternative Medicine, Mental Health

Lazy Cakes Relaxation Brownies are stirring up lots of controversy. Why? (more…)

25Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Ever heard of anal angina? FDA approves nitroglycerin for chronic anal fissures.

General Health

When I first started practice, I had the privilege to serve in the small town of Bryson City, North Carolina, the southern wilderness entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While there, one of the older surgeons taught me about using topic nitroglycerin ointment to cure chronic anal fissures. Now, thirty years later, it's an officially approved medication. (more…)

24Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Which foods lead to more weight gain than others? You might be surprised.

Children's Health, General Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

It turns out that there are some specific foods that may be the biggest culprits behind weight gain according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (more…)

24Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Experts concerned about growing number of youth with type 2 diabetes

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

In a past blog I told you that "Type 2 diabetes (is) appearing more often in kids." Now that story is worsening. (more…)

21Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Long-term use of daily aspirin may prevent melanoma

Cancer, Skin Health

It turns out that an aspirin a day may keep melanoma at bay, according to a new study. (more…)

21Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

FDA allows silicone breast implants to remain on market

Cancer, Woman's Health

Five years after they were allowed back on the market in this country, the FDA is saying they are confident silicone breast implants are indeed safe, although the very small risks are still very real. (more…)

20Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

‘Hammock’ effect or ‘rocking’ helps adults fall asleep faster

General Health, Mental Health

You’re lying in a hammock on a warm afternoon. You rock softly back and forth. In no time you’re … snoring. This is no real surprise—after all, we’ve all rocked our babies asleep. But researchers wanted to know how rocking works. (more…)

19Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Long-term sedentary jobs linked to cancer risk

Cancer

According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, sedentary behaviors, particularly those that require minimal energy expenditure, may increase the risk of developing chronic diseases including colon cancer and heart disease. (more…)

19Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Emergency medical care myths

Medical Economics

In a Huffington Post report, Leigh Vinocur, M.D., debunked three emergency medical care myths. I must tell you that I believed each of these three “myths.” So, this article was very informative to me. (more…)

18Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Death, diabetes, and heart disease risk increase with only two hours of TV a day

Heart Health, Men's Health, Mental Health

In the past I’ve told you that children younger than two years of age should have NO screen time, while children over two should have less than two hours per day. Now we may have to extend this advice to adults. (more…)

17Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Dad’s good parenting may help daughters avoid risky sex

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

The daughters of fathers with good parenting skills are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, a new study finds. (more…)

17Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

IOM report outlines steps to prevent early childhood obesity

Children's Health, Obesity, Parenting

It's no secret America has a weight problem, but in a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) revealed one in five children between the ages of two and five is obese or overweight. The rate has doubled since just the 1980s. (more…)

14Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

What natural medications may help infant colic?

Alternative Medicine, Children's Health, Parenting

An article published in the journal Pediatrics … notes that there is some ‘encouraging’ evidence that fennel extract and some herbal teas could relieve colic symptoms, but researchers concluded that the studies so far have been weak and unconvincing. So what, if any, natural medicines could a parent consider? (more…)

14Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

No evidence for Gripe water as treatment for infant colic

Alternative Medicine, Children's Health, Parenting

The Los Angeles Times reports, “Gripe waters have never been tested as remedies for colic” in babies. (more…)

13Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Reading with mom can boost a child’s kindergarten readiness

Children's Health, Parenting

Home learning experiences such as reading books with parents can improve low-income preschool children’s readiness to start school, researchers say in a press report from Society for Research in Child Development. (more…)

12Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

CDC: Most teens not getting enough aerobic activity

Children's Health, General Health, Obesity, Parenting

The CDC released a report of a nationwide survey of more than 11,000 high school students across the country, finding that only 15 percent get the minimum of 60 minutes per day of aerobic activity that meets the goals outlined in the government’s Healthy People 2020. (more…)

12Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

CDC: One in four high school students drinks soda daily

Bone Health, Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

According to the results of a nationwide survey of over 11,000 high school students in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, “one in four high school students drink soda every day – a sign fewer teens are downing the sugary drinks.” (more…)

11Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Which vitamin D supplement boosts levels best — D2 or D3?

Alternative Medicine, General Health, Nutritional Health

It turns out that vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has the edge. (more…)

10Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

ConsumerLab.com puts multivitamins to the test

Alternative Medicine, Nutritional Health

Long-time readers know of my fondness for and (unpaid) endorsement of ConsumerLab.com, one of the two best companies that test natural medications (herbs, vitamins, and supplements) for safety and quality. Now ConsumerLab has test results of 60 multivitamins and have shown that you can’t always judge a supplement by its label—or by its price. (more…)

10Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Sleep deprivation associated with carbohydrate craving and depression

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

In a number of past blogs I've discussed the association with lack of sleep and overweight and obesity. This association is found in children, teens, and adults. Now we know another reason why this occurs. (more…)

07Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Mom’s sleep position during pregnancy may affect stillbirth risk

Children's Health, General Health, Woman's Health

HealthDay reported that pregnant women who sleep on their back or right side have “twice the risk of having a stillborn infant” as women who sleep on their left side, according to a study in BMJ. (more…)

07Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Life expectancy has fallen in hundreds of US counties

Children's Health, Obesity, Parenting

In my 2005 book, SuperSized Kids: How to protect your child from the obesity threat, I published this the then shocking statement, "If we don’t get a handle on (childhood obesity), this generation of kids coming up will have a shorter life span than their parents. That’s scandalous!” Now, we're seeing some data indicating this unfortunate prediction may indeed be happening. (more…)

06Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Short-term HRT may be safe for menopause symptoms

Cancer, Woman's Health

HealthDay reported, “Treatment with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), if tailored to an individual woman’s needs, appears to be safe during menopause, according to a report released at the World Congress on Menopause.” (more…)

05Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

New guidelines for sunscreen

Cancer, Skin Health

The Food and Drug Administration’s long-awaited announcement of significant changes to sunscreen labeling was widely reported both by television and print media. The changes will empower us, as consumers, to make better decisions in choosing a product to prevent sun damage as well as reduce overall confusion about sunscreens. From now on, the gold standard is broad-spectrum protection. (more…)