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Initial research suggests that pregnant women who eat lots of fish – especially tuna, swordfish and other fish with high mercury levels are more likely to have children with ADHD.  Researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health tracked 788 Massachusetts children between 1993 and 1998.  Then they had the children’s mothers keep food diaries while they were pregnant so they could see how much fish the women ate. They took hair samples from them after they gave birth so they could test their mercury levels. 

Eight years later, they asked the children’s teachers if the kids exhibited ADHD-like symptoms, such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness.  The researchers concluded that the women who had the most mercury in their hair were 60% more likely to have a child who exhibited ADHD-like behavior.

Pregnant women who eat lots of fish are more likely to have children with ADHD a study finds.  Check back here tomorrow for a closer look at this shocking study and the surprising results.

Parents can prevent the spread of strep throat at home if someone in the house has already been diagnosed with a strep infection.  Be certain that all your family members thoroughly wash their hands after wiping noses and before eating or preparing food.  Make sure you wash all dishes, cups and utensils thoroughly in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.  Also do not allow the sharing of food or eating utensils.

Obesity, sedentary lifestyle and/or exposure to chemicals like BPA in microwave plastics may increase your child’s risk for cancer.  50% of all cancers are preventable but it may take a change in your current lifestyle.  If you do not encourage your kids to eat right or exercise, you are putting them at greater risk for cancer.  Most parents tend to put sunscreen on their kids and not smoke around them.  However most do not demand a form of exercise or reduce chemical exposure because they do not realize that they are equally important.

As you have probably heard, there are a lot of colds and flu around this year. Both respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses have been especially circulating within the schools. This is due to the fact that children tend to spread germs easily and lack of fresh outdoor air. Remember all of these stay healthy tips:

1.  Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness.

• Wash your hands often -- when they are dirty, before eating, after using the restroom and after sneezing into a tissue.

• Use soap and warm water and rub your hands together for at least 15 seconds before rinsing and drying.

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ok to use when your hands aren't visibly dirty.

2.  Cough Etiquette

• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands - use a tissue or your elbow.

3.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

4.  MOST IMPORTANTLY stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

In order to comply with the new forced limits on grains, protein, sodium and fats; schools have begun to act silly.  For example Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington, MA has removed its SALAD BAR!!!  One would assume that salad is healthy however not the government.  Being afraid that the school could not control the portions of protein or grains the students would take out of the salad bar, they decided to remove it all together.  In Shrewsbury, MA they decided croutons on a salad added too much grains to the meal so they banned them.  Also on the Shrewsbury hit list and now banned from their salad bar are hard-boiled eggs and turkey slices because the nanny state can not regulate how much protein one will take.  Whole-wheat pasta salad is also a no-no because the nanny state says that kids may get too many grains.  After all of this Shrewsbury silliness, the school system brought in $10,000 less in September 2012 lunch sales than in the same month 2011.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations for schools were set to take effect on August 1, 2012 that would prevent the sales of several foods and drinks including cupcakes, cookies and brownies within 30 minutes of the start and end of school. The reason for these regulations is to fight childhood obesity. This would ban bake sales in schools. Many parent-teacher organizations and school clubs use bake sales as fundraisers to support various school causes. Is this a case of a big government “nanny state” telling you what is best for your family or a valid way to fight childhood obesity?

 

Since the announcement, this controversial issue has been discussed on radio, TV, and newspapers throughout Massachusetts and the United States. The uproar has been such that a Republican state representative sponsored an amendment in the Massachusetts House to lift the bake sale ban. The legislation would give individual school districts the choice to allow or ignore the bake sale ban regulations. The Massachusetts House and Senate adopted the amendment striking down the prohibition. The Public Health Commissioner later said that the department would reverse the bake sale ban before it is set to take effect. The ban will however, stay in effect for sweets sold at school cafeterias during the school day.

Offering choices for healthy snacks allow kids to feel like they are making decisions. For example having a child choose between a banana, apple, carrot, or celery empowers them while at the same time allows the parent to be in control of the healthy options.

A growling empty stomach makes it harder for kids to fall asleep. This in turn can affect their schoolwork the next day.

Bisphenol A otherwise known as BPA is a chemical that has been linked to the potential development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and ADHD. There are certain precautions that can be taken to protect children from the potential hazards of BPA. Avoid microwaving polycarbonate plastic food containers. Over time they may break down at high temperatures and release the chemical into your child’s food. The containers with bisphenol A usually have a #7 on the bottom. Always use baby bottles that are BPA free. Also use glass or ceramic containers for hot foods and liquids whenever possible.