Children’s Health

December 13, 2011

Panel recommends cholesterol testing for all kids

In June I told you in this blog that “all children should be screened for high cholesterol when they’re 9 to 11 years old according to […]

December 13, 2011

Sweetened beverage consumption associated with hypertension risk

MedPage Today reports, “Consuming beverages flavored with either sugar or artificial sweeteners was associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension,” according to research presented at […]

December 12, 2011

Zinc for the common cold—not if, but when

A new Cochrane Review finds that zinc supplementation CAN reduce the duration and severity of a cold SOME, but ONLY if it’s started early on.

December 11, 2011

Busted: Top five flu myths

‘Tis the season for colder weather, impending family gatherings, holiday preparations … and sick days caused by colds and the flu. Along with flu season comes the […]

December 11, 2011

Cold and Flu Old Wives’ Tales Debunked

Was mom’s stay-well advice right? Don’t go out with wet hair. Rest. Cover your mouth when you cough.

December 9, 2011

Simple lifestyle changes dramatically cut risk for type 2 diabetes

USA Today reported, “Making just ONE key lifestyle change can cut your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by roughly one-third.”

December 9, 2011

Whole grain consumption reduces colorectal cancer risk

MedPage Today reports, “Individuals eating three daily servings of whole grains had a significantly, though modestly, lower risk of colorectal cancer, according to pooled data from nearly […]

December 8, 2011

Chicken pox vaccine dramatically reduces death rates

The Wall Street Journal reports in “Aches & Claims” that the Varivax chicken pox vaccine has reduced mortality by 88%, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

January 12, 2012

Kids’ cereals loaded with sugar

Most children’s cereals do NOT meet proposed federal guidelines for food marketed to kids, according to a report from Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research […]

January 13, 2012

Study links heart-health risk factors to childhood obesity

The St. Louis (MO) Post-Dispatch reported that a study in the medical journal Obesity fond that “heart-health risk factors such as dangerous cholesterol levels and artery inflammation […]

January 18, 2012

Report says Americans’ heart health in poor state

The National Journal reports, “Nearly every American has at least one risk factor for heart disease,” according to a report from the American Heart Association.

January 19, 2012

Salty foods predispose infants to preferring salt

The Los Angeles Times reports, “Feeding young babies solid foods, such as crackers, cereals and bread, which tend to be high in salt, may set them […]

January 26, 2012

Many young women mistakenly believe HPV vaccine protects against STDs

Reuters reports on a study published in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, which found that some young women who have received the HPV vaccine […]

January 27, 2012

Why is there such a dramatic increase in twin birth rates?

USA Today reports that according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, “the number of twin births […]