Feb 2, 2020
Medical X-Press – Wendi Hawthorne
In response to the youth vaping crisis, experts at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) developed CATCH My Breath, a program to prevent electronic cigarette use among fifth—12th grade students. Research published in Public Health Reports reveals the program significantly reduces the likelihood of e-cigarette use among students who complete the curriculum. Since a 2018 declaration citing the vaping crisis a public health epidemic, the number of middle school students who use e-cigarettes has more than doubled. According to 2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 middle school students reported using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. This marks a troubling trend with dangerous consequences, as 60 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to lung injury associated with vaping product use.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-vaping-significantly-middle-school-students.html
Feb 1, 2020
Romper – Lindsay E. Mack
With the caveat that every kid develops on their own timeline, there are some general ages to keep in mind for breakfast duties. “That range, in thinking about a developmental period where a child would typically be capable of being safely charged with the responsibility of organizing a healthy breakfast would be at, or about the age of 4,” Suanne Kowal-Connelly M.D., official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), tells Romper. Of course, Dr. Kowal-Connelly adds that independent breakfasts for this age group would not involve the use of heat, sharp objects, or electricity. But with every passing year, their capabilities increase. “In general, around kindergarten (age 5 or 6), a child should be able to pour milk and cereal for themselves. A slightly older child (age 7 or 8) could likely make toast or waffles in a toaster after being supervised initially,” Reshmi Basu M.D., a CHOC Children’s pediatrician, tells Romper. When can you add some heat to the mix? “At 8-9 years old children can use the stove with supervision; if the parent does not feel comfortable with this they can work on other kitchen skills such as reading a recipe, measuring out ingredients and learning food safety,” Meredith McWilliams, a registered dietitian at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and a mother of four, explains to Romper. Again, these are generalities, and you’ll be a better judge of when your kid is ready to take on these breakfast duties.
https://www.romper.com/p/when-can-kids-make-their-own-breakfast-heres-what-the-experts-say-21763066
Feb 1, 2020
Forbes – Brian Kateman
We are at a crucial point in time. Research is mounting in support of the importance of eating fruits and vegetables for our health, and unprecedented numbers of young people are switching to a plant-forward diet. At the same time, only nine percent of high school students meet the US’s dietary guidelines for fruit, and only two percent meet the vegetable recommendation. Younger generations are crucial to driving a lasting shift in our eating habits that will help shape the future of the planet, of agriculture, and human health.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/briankateman/2020/01/30/pasta-is-now-a-vegetable-usdas-school-lunch-guidelines-threaten-the-health-of-our-nations-children/#b73d860581c5
