Strollerderby : health and kids

Birds, Bees, and STDs

Brett Singer — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:33:00 GMT

I realize that this statement makes me a huge wimp, but I'm not looking forward to having "the sex talk" with either of my sons. And if Brian Hennessey and Radia Daoussi have their way, that talk is going to include AIDS.

Hennessey and Daoussi have made a film that follows their daughters around the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto. The girls, ages 6 and 4, ask various health experts questions such as "How does AIDS get into your body?" This leads to discussions of condoms (one girl "thought the bright packages were candy") and also homosexuality ("A man can do it with a man if you like it.")

I have so many problems with this. First of all, why are the filmmakers bringing their young children to an AIDS conference in the first place? According to the Times, the focus of the documentary shifted to the girls during an "unplanned stop at the Condom Project's table," and that "a volunteer's struggle to turn her boilerplate spiel into words simpler than "destigmatize" made it clear that a child's innocence would elicit good interviews." So they used the kids as props to make their movie more interesting. Nice.

I'm not a prude, and I realize that children grow up faster than they used to. But in order to talk about AIDS, you first have to talk about sex. What age do you want to do that? Is a 4-year-old emotionally mature enough to process this information?

Then there's the notion that only the young are in need of being educated about this topic. When I was in high school, I had a part-time job at a health care center, working primarily in the lab. One day we got a phone call that a "Blue Dot" patient was coming down for a test. "Blue Dot" was the code the center gave to AIDS patients. I was the youngest worker there by about 15 years, but I was quickly told that I would be the one to sit out front and check him in. I was also told that I had to wear gloves (I didn't want to, since we never did that at the front desk, but I was told it was "too dangerous"), and that everyone else at the lab would be hiding in the back room. The man came downstairs, looking thin and rather sad. I looked at his form and started to write him into the lab record. Then my supervisor popped out, looked over my shoulder - never acknowledging the patient - and told me that this particular test could only be done in the morning. Then she scurried away, leaving me to explain the situation. In other words, if anyone had thought for a second to look at the test the doctor was ordering, the entire scene would have been avoided.

In other words, the person who was most aware of the lack of danger of being in the same room as an AIDS patient was also the youngest person there. Yes, this was in the 80's, and many people didn't understand anything about AIDS, just as many people didn't understand that wearing leg warmers in public was a bad idea. But it is absolutely true to say that there are still many people in the world of all ages who lack important knowledge about this disease. (The leg warmer problem has pretty much been solved, however.)

So what do the folks here think? How old were you when you first had "the talk" with your parents? What is the right age to hear about this stuff? Should we add "condoms and STDs" to "the birds and the bees"?

photo: eztakes.com

Wha? Smoking NOT Bad During Pregnancy?

Kelly Mills — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:02:00 GMT

I've often complained about how pregnant women are given all kinds of conflicting information and told not to do all kinds of things, even when the evidence against such things is dubious. There seems to be an all-or-nothing approach to pregnancy dangers, which makes it hard for pregnant women to engage in any activity without feeling guilty or anxious (I suppose it's practice for new motherhood.) However, even I was pretty floored by a new study by the London School of Economics that says smoking during the first four months of pregnancy does almost no harm to the baby unless it is combined with other factors, and even after the first trimester the impact on birthweight is negligible. Um, excuse me?

The study looked at birthweight, and the researchers basically said the greatest risks are to women of low socio-economic status, who combine smoking with poor diet and alcohol. They add that for middle-class women who smoke during the first four months of pregnancy, there is little risk to the fetus, and even after there is a very small effect on birthweight. Low birthweight is linked with developmental problems and mortality. One immediate criticism of the study is that smoking is also tied to other problems like miscarriage, SIDS, and respiratory problems, and the study didn't address this.

Of all the things in the world, few are tied so clearly to serious health problems as smoking, so I'm totally skeptical of this one. And before anyone launches into an account of how their mother smoked like a chimney during pregnancy and they are just fine, I should add that almost no study offers a guarantee of destructive health effects, but that doesn't mean risks don't exist for a large percentage of the population.

Mom Gets Ticket While Sick Kid Barfs In Car

Kelly Mills — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:29:00 GMT

I feel for moms and dads when I find things like this in newspapers, because what parent hasn't had a day like this? Gina Boyd's three-year-old daughter was running a fever and had an earache, so they climbed into the family van and headed for a clinic. As they were driving, the girl started making choking noises and throwing up, so Gina made an illegal U-turn to pull over and care for her kid. Aaaand that's when she heard sirens behind her.

Now, you might assume the officer would show some mercy considering the circumstances, but instead he wrote Gina a $123 citation. Deputy Jon Tillis also told Gina she was responsible for making a driver behind her execute the same illegal U-turn, and that she could have called an ambulance for her kid. Now, Gina doesn't dispute that she did something illegal--as she says, ""If I had thought about it, I could've put my hazards on, but it's hard to think in a situation like that"-- but she does wish the deputy could have exercised some discretion, given the circumstances. She can't afford the court or childcare costs to fight the ticket either. I bet lots of us have been there. Where's the karma police when you need them?

Kitchenista: Oatmeal That Tastes Like the Packaged Stuff

Madeline Holler — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:33:00 GMT

My husband is rocking the oatmeal lately. He started making it every morning last month, when I realized we could retire early on what we were investing in the Kashi cereals empire. It was easy for me to lay down the law on buying cereal by the industrial pallet, since I don't eat it often. For him, though, it was a serious lifestyle change. (But well worth not having me refer to his breakfast as edible gemstones in milk).

He started out by making the oatmeal according to the instructions and it was fine but nothing great. Our daughters had just come from spending three weeks at their grandparents, where that super high-sugar, apple 'n' cinnamon, maple 'n' brown sugar, crack 'n' meth flavored instant oatmeal ran plentiful like water. They couldn't go back to bland.

So he added a few extras and made some adjustments and damn if the real thing doesn't taste just like the fake. The bonus is it's way cheaper and much less crappy.

Here's our favorite:

Prepare oatmeal according to directions. Add three to five scoops of applesauce just after adding oats to the boilig water and stir. Then stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cover and let it sit for a few minutes.

Breakfast time!

The Basic Seven

Adrienne Martini — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:30:00 GMT

When it comes to the health of my kids, I'm a fairly laissez-faire mom. I'm not quick to call the doc. I don't bundle them to the ER at the first cough. They've been in my house long enough that I can tell when they need to see someone in a white coat.

Most of the time, it works out. I mean, they're both still alive.

As babies, though, it was different. I called my pediatrician when it even looked like my first might be thinking about sneezing. Which is why I wish I'd had this list from the World Health Organization of the seven basic warning signs that your sub-two month old is in need of immediate care.

The list, granted, is geared more toward moms and medical professionals in less-developed parts of the world. Still, the seven signs apply to all babies, no matter where they might live -- and they're good to keep in mind when you're having that 2 a.m. debate about whether or not to panic.

The Worst Kids Meal Packs 1,200 Calories in a Bowl

Madeline Holler — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:18:00 GMT

Remember when the Center for Science in the Public Interest came out with a devastating report on movie theater popcorn? How it was loaded with calories and fat in numbers so high we could hardly imagine it?

We kept on eating it, sure, but it was also a nice tap on the shoulder that we even if we read labels in the store, we’re kind of flapping in the wind when it comes to eating outside our homes.

Then some 10 years later, we get people who want to pass laws forcing that kind of information to be available in restaurants too! But we cry out! “Idiots,” we say, “fast food is fattening! Get over it!” And then we try to order salads and stuff. Make good choices. Attempt to be a little healthier without new laws or the help of anyone.

That’s why I love stories like this, “16 Secrets Restaurants Don’t Want you to Know,” because, sure, while we know that fries are a caloric indulgence, did we know we’re feeding those hungry thighs with just a few dips of salad dressing? That our little antioxidant smoothie pick-me-up is going straight to the muffin-top and using up a huge percentage of our daily calorie needs?

Here’s a list of the 20 worst foods in America, according to Men's Health. It includes the worst kids meal of all restaurant kids meals. Any guesses? Burger and shake? No. Chicken nuggets and a big juicy Coke? No. The freaking macaroni and cheese kids meal at Macaroni Grill! (That’ll teach you to eat there!) It's like eating a box and a half of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. In one sitting. More than 1,200 calories. For a little kid.

Oddly, one of the healthiest kids meals is also there: grilled chicken, pasta and broccoli. What they don’t mention is that Macaroni Grill also doles out ice-cream with chocolate sauce with the kid’s meals too. Which, if little Aiden and Sophia had the mac ‘n’ cheese, they’re going to be rolling out to the car for sure after dessert.

I’m a label reader at the grocery store and, personally, I’d love full disclosure in chain restaurants too. Not just a little heart icon next to the menu items, but an actual number.

What about you? Prefer denial?

Weekly Check-Up: Healthy Gifts Are Okay...For People You Wanna Alienate

Kelly Mills — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:03:00 GMT

I've seen a couple of these stories lately: Instead of boring old candy or wine or pajamas this holiday, why not give some fitness-related gift? Like some piece of exercise equipment (iGallop anyone?) or a certificate for a massage or a consultation with a nutritionist. I say, BAD IDEA. Okay, yes, wine is bad for non-drinkers and candy is harsh for diabetics and pajamas are lousy for people who sleep in the nude (boo-ya) so I'm not saying other gifts are without peril. But even as someone who might stand to personally gain from, say, you giving away a certificate for three sessions with a personal trainer like me, let's just stop and think this one through a little more. Because I think there's one strong possibility to consider, and I believe I've said it before.

Fitness gifts could easily be interpreted as saying, "You are fat and out of shape and you'd better do something about that." I mean, maybe as a fitness freak I'd like some fancy pants dumbbells for X-mas, but that doesn't mean your cousin who never works out ever will feel the same. You just have to be careful with that kind of crap. Even the massage thing is iffy, since there are a sizeable number of people out there (many in my family) who don't like being touched by strangers. And I hope it goes without saying that homemade coupons for a massage you give yourself are considered bad for coworkers and your postal delivery person and that Starbucks barrista, unless you are on the make, skeezy.

In my opinion, exercise and nutrition related presents are the equivalent of giving an iron or vacuum cleaner or drill. When specifically requested, it's fine, but there's an implication that the person really ought to put said gift to good use, and people don't like being told to work out or eat well unless they have already resolved to do so. I have one friend whose dad always gave her a thighmaster (early iGallop prototype) or a treadmill or some such thing, and the message was "Get off your fat ass or you'll never find a husband." So all those articles out there pumping up healthy gifts as the smart way to go are just plain stupid. I'm a fan of the one safe bet: Big. Ass. Gift. Card.

Kids Are Developing Peanut Allergies Much Younger

Kelly Mills — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:01:00 GMT

Researchers found peanut allergies are showing up in younger kids than before, and they don't know why. In a study of 40 kids, the median age of first allergic reaction was 14 months for those born between 2000 and 2005, compared to a median age of 22 to 24 months in kids born between 1988 and 1999. Doctors urge parents to avoid exposing susceptible kids to peanuts until they are older, because as one says, "When kids are older, it can be easier to manage bad reactions. They can tell you right away if their mouths feel funny. For that reason alone, it's worth delaying exposing your child to a peanut product, especially if a child is at high risk."

But hold on a minute--could it be that by limiting exposure, we're helping create these allergy problems? That was one theory in this article I posted about a while back, anyway. I love it when our caution turns out to be the thing that invites the plague upon us. 'Course we should still follow the doctors' advice here, because I doubt anyone wants to test that theory in a potentially fatal way. For now, PBJ can just remain food for thought.

Crude And Unusual Punishment: Gas Prices Affecting Children's Healthcare

makeitadouble — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:45:00 GMT

The ever-rising cost of crude oil is affecting consumers in more ways than just what they pay at the pump for gasoline, which reached a National average of $3.11 in mid-November. Many common household items are derived from oil (plastic products, polyester, synthetic rubber and soapless cleaners just to name a few) which, coupled with increased shipping costs, is causing most Americans to closely monitor their spending and cut-back where they can. I think we’ve all felt the pinch and have tried to phase out spending money on unnecessary items and amenities like that $6 Starbuck’s Caramel Macchiato on the drive to work, certain name brand products at the grocery store and the health care of our children.

According to a poll conducted over the summer, before the gas prices even passed the $3 gallon plateau, 6% of parents surveyed admitted to cancelling a doctor’s appointment and/or not buying medication for their children in 2007 due to the cost of gasoline. If these numbers are accurate, that equates to over 4 million children on a national level that have had a medical visit or medications postponed because of high gas prices. Now, I think the easy targets here are the heartless and gluttonous oil companies as well as the self-interested politicians and policy makers, but I am going against the grain on this one and placing the blame squarely on the parents.

If you’re a parent in the lower 6% of this bell curve who thinks sacrificing the health of your child is justified due to the global demand of crude oil causing the price per barrel to flirt with the $100 mark I’d like to walk you through a simple exercise. You’ll need a piece of paper and a pencil, preferably a No.2 (ink is derived from oil you know). Ready?

Make a list of everything you can possibly cut-back on or sacrifice as a way to save money due to the high cost of gasoline, but leave “Denying My Child Healthcare” off the list for now. I’ll give you a couple minutes.

Done?

Alright, now that you're done take your kid to the Doctor.

(Photo: Bloomberg.com)

Big Babies and Even Bigger Babies

Madeline Holler — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:06:00 GMT

After giving birth to my second daughter, a whopper at nearly 11 pounds, I’m always interested in the details of big babies, especially the extra super-sized newborns that make mine look like a peanut.

Like this one – a 14-and-a-half pounder born six months ago to a fairly wee mama (5 feet tall and slim). She looked full term at five months pregnant, and by the time she was 37 weeks along (that's her in the picture), her doctors in the U.K. insisted she head down to surgery for a c-section.

The surgical staff gasped when they pulled little, er, big Jack out and held him and his linebacker shoulders and roly-poly legs, arms and bloated torso up to show his parents.

Jack was suffering in-utero from hyperinsulism, a condition that caused his body to over-produce insulin, which lead to his abnormal weight gain. In order to accommodate the large body, his heart grew extra thick, putting his early life in jeopardy.

He kept growing just as fast in the outside world, and had to upgrade to an extra large incubator after a few days in the hospital. At around 14 weeks, doctors removed 95 percent of his pancreas, which slowed his growth to normal and allowed his heart condition to improve.

Now, he weighs 22 pounds (average for his age, six months, is 16 pounds) and he’s happy and healthy and also closely watched. Go here for more pictures.

As for my daughter, she didn't have any special condition, except that she's related to her father's family and they spend childhood on the large-to-monstrous side in terms of size. She’s still big, having followed the growth chart trajectory exactly. She peaked in her growth when she turned 1 year old and stayed the same-ish weight for nearly a year. Now she's in the shaded area of The Almighty Chart and her pediatrician has gotten off my back and stopped with the cross-examination about how much juice we give her (none, I’m too cheap to buy juice) and how many Goldfish are in a serving (Who knows? We’re not cracker eaters.).

Cosmetics are Making Us Infertile?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Okay, we all know we’re smearing chemicals on our faces, scalps and body as a part of the daily beauty regimen. They’re safe, right, these products? Not tested on animals! FDA approved! Well, yeah, but still, a writer/activist says we’re soaking up lots and lots of carcinogenic crap and other dangers whenever we look to Revlon or Maybelline or Lancome and all the rest to get rid of those lines/blemishes/narrow eyes/dark circles/double-chins/bulbous nostrils.

Read Alternet’s interview with the author for all the juicy-lipped details.

I don’t wear a lot of make-up and not because I have Julianne Moore’s skin and Angelina Jolie’s lips. I’m just suuuuuuper lazy and plain Jane vanilla when it comes to beauty. However! As the mother of two girls, I know the drill -- they’re probably going to want make up someday. Already they line up for face cream and lipstick anytime the bottles and tubes come out of the cabinet. They smear whatever I do have all over themselves with some frequency. I think I’d like grandchildren some day. So, yeah, time to read the teeny tiny labels on lip balm too.

Did the possibility of lead in your lipstick make you throw everything out and start over? Do you know a phthalate from a paraben? Does it matter?

California to Drivers: No Smoking Around Kids

Madeline Holler — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:47:00 GMT

Nothing takes me back to childhood more than the smell of a freshly lit cigarette.

I spent countless hours of the first 16 years of my life sealed inside a Buick with my father, who would puff away on pack after pack of Winston Lights. Ashes settled like snowflakes in my hair, fiery airborne cherries burned holes in my shirts, the turbid, smoky air burrowed deep into the fibers of my winter coats, creating memories like Proustian cookies.

By then, everyone had figured out the dangers of tobacco, but harm from second-hand smoke was just rumor. Car wrecks attributed to dropped cigarettes or lighter mishaps had yet to be calculated. Americans and their black-lunged offspring were left in peace with their nicotine addictions.

A new law has halted the formation of these special memories for California families. There, it will soon be illegal to smoke inside a car where children are passengers. What next? Canceling Christmas?

Motorists caught smoking around passengers 18 years old or younger will be fined $100 starting next year. California will be the third state to come down on exposing children to second-hand smoke in the airless confines of an automobile. The other two states, Arkansas and Louisiana, set the ages at 6 and 13 respectively.

Smoking drivers won’t be pulled over just for having a kid gasping for fresh air in the backseat. Much like safety belt laws, puffing drivers will have to commit another offense before cops can ticket them for smoking-while-carpooling-to-school.

Image: Charles Harbutt, Laurence Miller Gallery

Bush Refuses Treatment for Wounded Healthcare System

Madeline Holler — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:33:00 GMT

As promised, President Bush vetoed a children’s health insurance bill that passed in both the House and Senate and had unusual bi-partisan support. The bill would have expanded the number of children covered by State Children’s Health Insurance Program to 10 million, whereas now the same program covers 6.6 million.

The president argued the bill moved Schip away from its initial purpose of paying to cover poor children and instead start providing for children from middle-class families. Which would be a crime? Does he know how a large part of the middle class lives nowadays?

While a “middle-class” income might seem like a goldmine in some parts of the country, it is barely adequate in plenty of cities, where housing costs and income are completely out of whack (I’m looking at YOU, Los Angeles County!). Pile on the high cost of fuel and increasing costs of food -- the year-over-year increases in healthcare premiums can quickly become hard to reach. Most uninsured families have at least one person employed full time. That's just wrong that a full-time worker who can't afford health insurance also can't get help with it.

At our pediatrician’s recently, I overheard a woman who was holding a toddler ask how much the shots would cost. The assistant had to ask around and look things up and started listing off the shots, this one’s $80, that one is $210. Didn’t her child have health insurance? Did she earn too much for Schip but not enough to pay for a plan? Even the most basic plans cover child vaccinations, right?

What’s you’re solution for healthcare in the U.S.? Canadian-style? Great Britain-style? Leave it alone? Scrap it all and start over? Are you glad Bush vetoed this bill and prevented families and companies from taking advantage of a government healthcare program, as he argued?

Be All Healthy In Pregnancy and Your Baby Might Grow Up To Be A Cowboy. Or Healthy. One of the Two.

Kelly Mills — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:08:00 GMT

I'm sure there are many pregnant women out there thinking to themselves, "Should I eat well, exercise, and take care of this little life growing in my womb, or should I only eat Pringles and sit on my behind all day?" If so, there's a piece here that might tip the scales. Turns out that eating well in pregnancy might not only result in a healthy baby, but might also help your child grow up to be a healthy adult. Why, Rachel made a list of reminders for herself should she ever get knocked up again: "1. leave off crack smoking, 2. stop running more than 15 miles per day in the 8th month, and 3. avoid kickboxing and bikram yoga." And I told myself, "Froot Loops over JD and Coke is not a nutritious breakfast." See, we help with the hard choices here.

But one thing I want to point out amidst all the obesity-very-bad news items: you don't do your baby any favors if you don't get enough to eat. Insufficient diet or nutrient-poor diets are just as bad as gaining too much weight. (Somebody tell key neighborhoods in Los Angeles!) And the article also points out that your best bet is to be in top shape pre-baby. So it pays to take care of yourself on every level for your whole darn life. Yes, health is actually good, or so the experts say, anyway.

Suicide Rate Goes Up For Girls, Ages...10 to 14?

Kelly Mills — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:56:00 GMT

Here's the heartbreaking news of the day: suicide rates for kids ages 10 to 24, which had decreased since 1990, have now gone up by 8 percent. While rates for girls ages 15 to 19 went up by 32 percent, the biggest jump was in suicides among girls 10 to 14. Good lord, those are still lego and doll years. Now, while we are talking about small numbers here (94 suicides in that age group in 2004, compared to 56 in 2003) think about the fact that kids as young as 10 even have moments of contemplating the end of their lives. Middle school may have been one the lowest points in my existence, but still...ugh.

So why are the numbers going up? Researchers say: Um, we dunno. An decrease in antidepressant use among kids is one possible factor cited (yeah, there's a controversy brewing there,) as is the plain old suckiness and pressure of middle school. Basically it isn't clear yet if this is an anomaly or a trend. And I don't imagine it will be easy to prevent, since the warning signs include "mental illness, alcohol and drug use, family dysfunction and relationship problems." In other words: junior high, for some of us. And as I wrote this, I remembered how crappy that time was, and you know, it got a little easier to understand. But no less depressing.

Things Fall Apart: Salmonella in Your Spinach

Karen Murphy — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:34:00 GMT

Just when you thought it was safe to eat fresh bagged spinach again, it's not. Literally tons of spinach distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, California into all lower 48 U.S. states plus Canada has been recalled due to testing positive for salmonella. The majority of the tainted spinach was held by the distributor and never released, but there's still plenty out there to make you or your family sick.

The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314. If you have questions you can call Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Again, don't eat bagged spinach. Bleh. Even Popeye is turning over in his grave about now.

Could Your Kid Have High Blood Pressure?

Karen Murphy — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:36:00 GMT

High blood pressure. That's something usually reserved for portly stogie-chomping, three-martini-lunch Type A types. Isn't it? Apparently not. And apparently, according to a new study anyway, over a million U.S. kids have undiagnosed high blood pressure.

One. Million.

That's one million who don't know about it. There's another million who do. One = one = (let's see, rapidly counting on fingers, oh I've got it) TWO. Million. Kids with high blood pressure.

WTF? And more importantly, why?? Well, partly because kids are fatter these days. But you knew that. And partly because, um, they don't know.

But little hearts and arteries are likely being impacted, though the effects are as of yet uncertain.

The study, by the way, only looked at not quite 15,000 kids, all living near Cleveland (well known as a cross-section of the entire country, I guess), and extrapolated that the 3.6% of kids found to have high blood pressure translates to the more media-friendly figure of Two! Million!, the flames of which I am more than happy to fan.

But next time my kids go to the doctor, I'm going to have their blood pressure checked. You never know.

Strollerderby Playdate: Play With the Fit Folks

Kelly Mills — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:01:00 GMT

You know how when you become a parent, all of the sudden you end up spending time with people you might never have met before simply because they have kids the same age as yours? It's a blessing and a curse of parenting. But for our playdate today, once again I wanna steer us temporarily away from the mom and dad bloggers and check out some of the people who write about health and fitness and stuff like that. We'll all sit around and they'll munch on carrot sticks and apple slices, and we will too, followed by half our kid's PBJ and those organic goldfish crackers dropped on the floor. "But I don't care about fitness!" you say. Hey, did you know some of these peeps write things that are even relevant to us mommy-daddy types?

Crabby McSlacker over at Cranky Fitness waxes funny on the healthiest cities. I heart Crabby. Shout out to Chicago for lovin' Twinkies!

Fitsugar (a mom, BTW) shares the scoop on diastasis recti. That's what some of us get out of pregnancy, lucky devils.

Back in Skinny Jeans has an update on the 12-year-old girl who got liposuction. Now she's gained the weight back and got gastric lap band surgery--at 13. Oh mama.

Shauna from The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl loooooves Fage Greek Yogurt. I love her style. Next yogurt's on me.

The Diet Blog talks about character and gap-teeth and being 10 years old. See, not just about grown-ups, well, at least not till the end...

GreenHouse: What You Need to Know About "Bad Plastic"

Alisyn — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:31:00 GMT

Mounting evidence indicates that the chemical bisphenol A is adversely affecting women's and children's reproductive health, and may be linked to obesity, breast and prostate cancer, and neurological disorders.. Unfortunately, the chemical is everywhere - in baby bottles, laptop computers, CDs, dental sealants, food can liners, water bottles, car parts... the list goes on and on. In other words, if you are a living, breathing consumer, you are exposed to bisphenol A multiple times, every single day.

Bisphenol A is a "bad plastic" - so much so that legislators in several states have introduced bills that would restrict sales of children's products containing the chemical. A class action lawsuit was filed in L.A. County against manufacturers and retailers of affected baby bottles and cups, and the ever-progressive city of San Francisco recently put into action a law that would ban the sale of baby products with bisphenol A.

The public is slowly being educated about the dangers of "bad plastics," no thanks, natch, to the official bisphenol A industry group, which maintains that the chemical "pose[es] no known risks to human health." But those in the know are getting back to basics, and avoiding all plastic when they can. Better to be safe than sorry.

Starting small is the key to phasing any "bad" out of, right? Baby steps. Avoiding bisphenol A is as easy as not eating canned goods, not having dental sealants put in teeth, and using glass instead of plastic cups and bottles. After that? Well, here's one mom's outline of the the steps she took to rid herself and her family of the unknown dangers lurking in their kitchen cupboards. From stainless steel sippy cups and snack containers, to glass food storage bowls, to portable plastic bag alternatives... cutting harmful chemicals out of our lives is a daunting task, but every baby step counts.

Should You Have Your Child Tested For Lead?

Karen Murphy — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:58:00 GMT

We have some of the recalled Thomas trains in our home. I haven't done anything with them yet, mostly because they're down in the basement and my youngest doesn't go down there. Though he'd love to play with the trains if he could be persuaded not to just systematically throw them (sigh). But my daughter, she's seven and still very oral. Almost daily I remind her that the whatever-it-is that's in her mouth isn't food.

So could she have picked up lead from the trains? Quite possibly. My older son's pediatrician recommended that we have him tested for lead when he was little because we lived in an ancient house that surely contained layer upon layer of lead paint. We did (it's a finger prick, not a big deal) and he was okay.

But I think that if I had a child who played a LOT with any of the recalled toys, I'd be thinking now about a lead test. Just to be on the safe side. And I'm not an alarmist by any means. What do you think? Have you had your child tested for lead as a result of the recalls? Do you think you will? Or do you think it's no big deal?

Baby Cranky? You Might Check for Embedded Needles

Karen Murphy — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:33:00 GMT

I'm only slightly astounded at the news that a one-year -old Chinese baby was found to have had six sewing needles embedded in him after he was taken to a doctor because of having been irritable and refusing to eat. (By the way, I say "slightly" in my astoundedness because, frankly, I've run across some pretty weird news lately, and I'm maybe a little jaded at this point.)

But hello? Sewing needles? Six of them? And the parents have no idea how it happened! The poor kid had two needles in his chest, one in his abdomen, one in his HEAD, and (commence cringing now) two in his scrotum. I am pretty sure that would make me "cranky" too.

The needles will have to be surgically removed, and were revealed through an x-ray.

Ouch.

One Step Ahead: Blog Down, People

Kelly Mills — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:31:00 GMT

By now I think my fascination with One Step Ahead might be bordering on obsession. It's like my Gilmore Girls. I had a nice run where I laughed hysterically about the giggle bug, the naughty seat, the hands-free carrier, the helmet, and the tub bumper... And then came the cart cover. Many of y'all said the cart cover rocked hard. I am happy to eat crow*, cuz it's a good source of protein and I can save my carbs for cake, darling.

But now I sense a sweet opportunity to mine the parent pool. Before I go off half-snarked I want to hear from you if these products are ridiculous or crucial. Feel free to weigh in on whatever and whichever side, because, you know the old expression, opinions are like... a part of the body I do believe in keeping quite clean and germ-free.

The Ear & Throat Illuminator (Otoscope). You know, like doctors use to check you out. Should these be in the hands of untrained parents eager to diagnose every ailment, given the perils of home medicine? Is it worth the $44.95? Or is it more like, "even I can tell when an ear canal is red and swollen, and I don't want to make a damn appointment every time I suspect something is up."

The Inflate-a-Potty. Whoa now, a travel potty is no big thing, but one that has to be blown up is a little different. I think this one is not so much with the ultra-sterile, even with liners. It says it has an "inflating tube" but I'm unclear if you have to put your mouth on it to inflate, and if so, ugh. Even if there's no chance of contact with the potty contents, I already have the heebie jeebies. Also, I really, really don't want to carry a potty in my purse, I just don't. And I just know we'd pop that sucker in 30 seconds flat. But perhaps this is the toilet we've all been looking for. Do tell.

(By the way, the names of these things just slay me. So far I've snorted out loud at the PiddlePad, a carseat liner for "big time blowouts, and potty training uh-ohs" and the Utterly Yours Breast Pillow. Because I needed more cow associations when I was nursing.)

Now please share.

*That helmet is still the lamest thing ever.

Kids and Vegetables: Making Friends Of Foes.

Melissa Summers — Mon, 21 May 2007 15:03:00 GMT

I have three very particular eaters in my home, two are children and one is a 39-year-old child-like adult. I've dropped the word 'Picky' because I'm attempting to think about their absurd eating habits in a more positive light. One day they will be connoisseurs with wildly successful food blogs where they explain in glorious detail how that tomato in their mouth sort of feels like a tiny blob of puke. Or they will note how from the moment they poked that souffle with the tip of their finger, they knew it would be horrible. Their blogs will be titled something like, "The Extremely Particular Food Blogger" or "I can tell I don't like it by the way it sounds."

Oh yes, I am familiar with the eating habits of the fickle younger set.

However, this article in the Los Angeles Times has a few reasonable (though not mind blowing) suggestions backed up with our favorite thing, Medical Studies! A study showed repeated exposure to foods (particularly vegetables in this case) a child refused to try or said they disliked had a greater chance of learning to like the food and consuming more of it after a two week period of daily exposure.

The article goes on to suggest, as we noted last week, growing vegetables with your child may increase their interest and investment in these foods. They also suggest adding pureed cooked vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) to sauces to up their nutritional content. In studies the majority of children could not tell the difference between the doctored sauce and regular sauce. I've done this with meatloaf because my husband would have a seizure if he saw me putting vegetables into a meatloaf. GASP!

Bottom line: don't stop offering new foods, add vegetables to your kids diets where you can and don't read medical studies because they just make you feel like a crappy parent.

So Your Kid is Fat. Now What?

Karen Murphy — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:06:00 GMT

The media is great about telling us all the reasons why our kids are fat, but when it comes to giving parents and kids actual tools to use to help this problem, things fall a little short. Oh sure, there's vague talk about "playing outside more" and "eating better", obvious advice to those who are already leading a fairly healthy lifestyle, but what about the families who aren't? What about the families who truly don't know the Seven Ways to Hide Broccoli So Your Kid Will Eat It, or Things To Do Outside That Aren't Video Games. That's where the new website aimed at kids ages 4-7 comes in. The Great Grub Club promises to be a handy and fun site aimed at giving kids information about being healthy while having fun at the same time.

The new site, the brainchild of the World Cancer Research Fund, is set to launch on May 21 in conjunction with National Cancer Awareness Week (U.K.).The site is aimed at preventing the up to 40% of cancers that could be prevented by diet and exercise. Whoa. (Since the site is for kids, cancer isn't actually mentioned, just lots about a healthy lifestyle).

Although my kids don't do much with computers yet, I'm going to check out this site with them when it becomes available. I figure that I can use all the help I can get in giving them the message about healthy living.

Helping Kids Fight Off Summer Gain

Melissa Summers — Wed, 16 May 2007 12:18:00 GMT

I'm not a fan of summer vacation, in fact if I wasn't so busy tearing my hair out by around July 1, I'd be a major advocate of year round school. First kids lose ground in reading over the long break and some people say being away from the routine of school causes some kids to gain weight through the summer.

This article, instead of pointing fingers, points out some innovative programs in different states which attempt to keep kids moving and healthy throughout the summer. I wonder if they can find a program which keeps me sane, that's asking a lot I admit it. Experts say the weight kids gain in the summer can be traced to unhealthy snacking throughout the day, increased time in front of various screens and a drop in physical activity.

Outlined in the article is a pilot program being run in southwestern Florida called 'Healthy Kids'. The idea of the program is to combat the summer weight gain by teaching a more in depth health and wellness curriculum during the year. The piece is full of great information for educators and worth a look for parents of kids who are not involved in day camp programs during the summer.

I feel your pain.