All articles tagged with #childhood health
A study found that elevated blood pressure at age 7 significantly increases the risk of early death from cardiovascular disease decades later, emphasizing the importance of early screening and intervention for childhood blood pressure.
The US government, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released a broad strategy with 128 recommendations to combat childhood chronic diseases, focusing on diet, physical activity, chemical exposure, and vaccine policies, but faces criticism for lacking concrete action plans and conflicting with other administration policies that may undermine public health efforts.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission has released a comprehensive strategy with over 120 initiatives aimed at reversing childhood chronic diseases through science-based policies, regulatory reforms, public awareness campaigns, and private sector collaboration, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and supported by multiple federal agencies, focusing on improving nutrition, reducing harmful chemicals, and promoting healthier lifestyles for children.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new report on childhood health, part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, offers strategies to combat childhood chronic diseases but lacks clear implementation plans and arrives amid public health chaos and political controversy.
A 24-year Danish study of over 1.2 million children found no link between aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines and conditions like autism or autoimmune diseases, supporting vaccine safety despite ongoing concerns.
A study involving over 500 participants from the Penn State Child Cohort reveals that 23.3% experienced persistent insomnia symptoms across different stages of maturation, with Black and Hispanic/Latino youths showing higher risks. Black children are 2.6 times more likely to experience chronic insomnia symptoms from childhood through young adulthood compared to their white peers. The findings underscore the need for early detection and treatment of insomnia symptoms in children to prevent long-term health consequences, particularly for minority groups facing higher risks.
A new study from Sweden's Karolinska Institute suggests that childhood obesity may more than double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life, even after adjusting for parental MS. Researchers found that obese children had over double the risk of MS compared to slimmer children, and they believe that chronic inflammation brought about by obesity may contribute to this increased risk. The study will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in May, shedding light on the potential link between obesity and MS.
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics confirms that severe obesity is on the rise among young children in the United States. The study focused on children aged 2 to 4 enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides services to low-income families. The research found that the rate of severe obesity among these children had initially dropped but then increased again by 2020. The increase aligns with national data suggesting that around 2.5% of preschool-aged children were severely obese during the same period. The findings are concerning as severe obesity at a young age is associated with chronic health problems and early mortality. The reasons for the increase are unclear, but experts speculate that the challenges faced by families living in poverty may have contributed. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood obesity rates is also unknown but is expected to worsen the situation.
Increased sedentary time in childhood can raise cholesterol levels by two-thirds as an adult, leading to heart problems and premature death. However, a new study suggests that light physical activity, such as long walks or house chores, may completely reverse these risks and is more effective than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The study highlights the importance of incorporating light physical activity into childhood exercise guidelines and promoting its participation from an early age.
NPR has launched a new series called Living Better, which investigates the causes of America's poor health and what can be done about it. The series will cover environmental causes, community solutions, individual tips, and medical breakthroughs. The first several stories focus on childhood health, including new treatments for childhood obesity, the impact of social media on kids' health, and the effects of ultraprocessed foods on kids' diets. The series aims to highlight successes in improving people's health outcomes and lives, and share new good ideas and smart policies that deserve to be funded.