Tooth decay crisis: Dentists plead with parents to reduce children’s sugar intake

The Sydney Morning Herald – Esther Han

Dentists are pleading with parents to cut the amount of sugar in their children’s lunch boxes, as figures show NSW is in the grips of a child tooth decay crisis. More than 100 children are having multiple rotting teeth extracted, filled and capped under general anaesthetic each week, the latest NSW hospitalisation data shows. (more)

Don’t buy snacks with a nutrition panel and other tips for healthy lunchboxes

ABC – Carolyn Treweek

A good nutritionist will tell you to avoid the big supermarkets as much as possible — stick to the fresh stuff at your local greengrocer, butcher and baker. But, when you do find yourself under the fluorescent lights of the large chains, stick to the outside aisles — fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and bread. (more)

The ‘IKEA Effect’ — And Getting Kids To Eat Their Veggies

NPR – Tania Lombrozo

A couple of years ago, at the peak of my children’s reluctance to eat vegetables, I decided to try an experiment. When the kids arrived home from daycare one afternoon, I had bowls of colorful vegetables cut up and ready to go: crunchy red and yellow peppers, bushy little florets of broccoli, tomatoes and mushrooms and olives. I gave them each a cheese pizza base to “decorate” for dinner, and they gleefully complied. My older daughter made a face with olive eyes, broccoli hair, and a bright, red-pepper mouth. My younger daughter loaded on veggies by the fistful. (more)

How much physical activity is appropriate for children with disabilities?

The Miami Herald – Martha H. Bloyer, PT, DPT, PCS

In the United States, more than one-third of children and youth are overweight or obese, which have been defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair physical and psychosocial health and can lead to medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, fatty liver disease and depression. (more)

Diabetes in children; what parents should know about it

The New Times – Lydia Atieno

When one talks of diabetes, people tend to think it’s a disease that affects only adults, which is not the case. In fact, according to experts, while Type 2 diabetes dominates with 90 per cent of all diabetes, Type 1 diabetes remains a very serious issue among children. (more)