Kids Health

Media Education Helps Kids “Just Say No”

Considering that 21% of elementary school students have already consumed alcohol, it is never too soon for drug and alcohol education. Not surprisingly, media and marketing really does influence a child’s perception of drugs and alcohol. Shows and advertisements often times make drinking alcohol look glamourous, cool, and fun. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that teaching media literacy is an effective method of keeping kids away from drugs. Students who underwent the media literacy education became significantly more aware of the drug and alcohol marketing …

Help For ADHD Beyond Drugs

by Lisa Duvall on September 9, 2010

Have you ever had a conversation with someone when all of a sudden they interjected with a comment or story that was completely unrelated to what you were talking about? That person may be suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or what is better known as adult ADHD. Most of the 4.4% of the adults in the United States who suffer from ADHD use medication to help them get by, but a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that adding cognitive behavior therapy may reap more benefits. …

Autism: Why Being A Picky Eater Is OK

by Marissa de Crom on September 7, 2010

Children with autism commonly have preferences for a limited number of foods. Many children with autism also show behavioral difficulties including impaired social interaction and communication, both of which can impact feeding time. This can be very difficult for parents trying to make sure their child is eating a health, well-rounded diet. For parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a new study from the UK published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides not only clarity, but some peace of mind. Children with ASD may be picky …

Is Chocolate Milk Good or Bad for Kids?

by Tamara Duker Freuman on August 31, 2010

Q: What’s worse– giving my young child chocolate milk full of added sugar, or having him drink less milk since he doesn’t like the taste? A: With the start of the new school year, the chocolate milk debate is raging once again and a growing number of school districts have removed–or are considering removing–flavored milks from their cafeterias. It’s a tough question and I can argue both sides of it, but my own research has led me to come out on the pro-chocolate milk side of the debate. In other words, I think …

How To Set Rules For Teenagers

by So-Mai Brown, M.A. on August 30, 2010

Q: I have a 14 year old son and we argue a lot about chores and house rules. Do you have any tips on how I can improve our communication? A: Adolescents are moving towards independence, more interested in peer relationships and going through many physical, cognitive and hormonal changes. As your child transitions into adulthood, how you two communicate is going to change and this transition can be frustrating for both of you. Your teen may be more defiant and complain of you interfering with their independence. This is …

Western Diet Increases Risk Of ADHD In Teens

by Erica Giovinazzo on August 27, 2010

Could diet be part of the reason so many kids today are being diagnosed with ADHD? Parents of children with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have the challenge of helping their young one deal with impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention, which can create difficulties for the child in school and social situations. ADHD is diagnosed in 3% to 7% of school-aged children, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the most diagnosed childhood mental health problem, identifying causes and treatment of ADHD is imperative. Now, …

Preventing Postpartum Depression (PPD)

by Lisa Watson on August 25, 2010

Having a baby is an exciting, life-changing event, but for many women it signals the beginning of the blues. About 13 percent of new moms struggle with postpartum depression in the year following the birth of their child. New research shows that such depression can be prevented by training health visitors to assess and support these women after childbirth. University of Leicester Psychiatry Professor Terry Brugha led the prevention study. 1474 women were part of the intervention and 767 women were in the control group. Researchers found that mothers who had …

Young At Heart: Girls Hit Puberty Younger

by Lisa Watson on August 25, 2010

While puberty used to occur around age 15 or 16, it has been occurring at younger ages over the last few decades. New research shows that girls in the U.S. are developing earlier than ever, a possible trend that is associated with a number of health risks. The study was led by Dr. Frank Biro of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The subjects included over 1,200 6- to 8-year-old girls in Cincinnati, New York and San Francisco. As part of the study, researchers used a standard measure of breast development to …

Why Sibling Rivalry Is Good For Your Kids

by Kevin Mathews on August 23, 2010

Though a lot of emphasis is placed on sibling rivalry, relationships between siblings are far more complex than petty fighting. Studies show that brothers and sisters share with one another a spectrum of behaviors and emotions, ranging from love to hate, sometimes changing in even a matter of minutes. Fortunately, all of these interactions between siblings can be positive for the social development of the children. Laurie Kramer of the University of Illinois sifted through an abundance child development research and found that while most research focused on disagreements between …