Dieting -How Young Is To Young

Dieting- How Young Is Too Young

Childhood obesity is on the rise and many of the children will go on to be obese adults with early onset of non-communicable diseases.

Medical experts and pediatricians are calling on parents to seek medical intervention for children that are obese. This means early intervention.

Nutrition experts are also saying that dieting in childhood can lead to physical problems that may be difficult to reverse. Experts say the use of the word dieting for weight control in children may be not a good thing because the physical and emotional consequences are to risky.

I prefer to use the term healthy eating when talking about weight control because dieting can convey a different message to those who are overweight.

For children the word dieting may mean restricting certain foods, eating less even missing meals.

How then can childhood obesity be prevented without dieting. I prefer not to use the word dieting, replacing it with healthy eating

Children and teenagers must be encouraged to keep physically active while maintaining proper nutrition. This means,healthy eating and physical activity must be included in their daily routine.

There are four food groups for healthy eating and there are recommended daily intake for children and teenagers.

Parents can follow the nutritional guidelines and the recommendations focusing on the nutritional value rather than on a weight loss diet

In this article the author identifies the health problems that are associated with dieting in childhood.

Prostate Cancer May Be Hereditary

Experts have long been looking for a link between inherited genes and prostate cancer. Until now, they couldn't find results to confirm hereditary as a cause of the disease.

In a recent research report; however, a rare inherited gene was linked to higher risk of developing the disease.

The study involved 94 families , each had multiple cases of prostate cancer among close relatives. Researchers started with samples from the youngest patients with prostate cancer.

The same mutation in the gene which plays an important role in the development of the prostate was found in 4 different families. All 18 men with prostate cancer carried the mutation.

Read more on this study.

Postpartum Depression May Arise From Partner Abuse

If you know of someone who is family planning, is pregnant or has suffered from postpartum depression, this study may of interest you.

The report could be useful for helping these persons or for dealing with their depression.

Researchers found that intimate partner violence is common among women reporting symptoms of post natal depression.

They found that depression was associated with physical and emotional abuse in 40% of women and that emotional abuse is more common that physical abuse.

Participants for the study were 1,305 women pregnant for the first time and were between 6-24 weeks gestation. They were given questionaires on recruitment and at 3, 6 and 12 months pregnant.

After taking into account age and unemployment, the risk of depression was 3 times higher in women who had suffered emotional abuse and 4 times higher in those who suffered physical abuse.

Health professionals are advised to be aware of these findings and to regularly enquire about a women's mental health especially during the 12 months after birth.

People Taking Antibiotics or Acne- Risk For Sore Throat

Researchers found that young patients taking antibiotics for acne treatment are more prone to sore throats than those who don't.

Two recent studies linked these patient to frequent sore throats, when compared to those who do not take the medication.

In one study 266 students answered questions as to whether: 1-They had had a sore throat during the previous month 2-They had acne and were using antibiotics regularly for it.

Ten or 2/3 of the 15 students who had acne and were taking antibiotics for it also reported having had sore throat recently.

Of the students with acne who were not taking antibiotics only just over 1/3 had a sore throat.

Experts are advising people with acne to look at the risks and the benefits of taking antibiotics.

Read more about this and the second study.

ADHD In Young Children Better with parental Training

Young children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder(ADHD) do better with parental training, according to a recent report.

Children younger than 6 years do not benefit from prescribed medication to control hyperactive behaviour.

The report from the US Department of Health & Human Services found parents behaviour training is effective with no risk of complications for preschool children.

The report recommends that pediatricians consider advocating formal training in parent strategies.

Medication appears to be effective with older children.