Boys AND Girls Are Involved In Risky Behaviors

Studies are now showing that risky adolescent behaviors–drinking, smoking and doing drugs–involve not only boys, but many more girls than in the past.

A report on the Kids Health website notes that “girls are just as likely to face the same kinds of pressures to fit in and try substances that could prove dangerous to their health–or even deadly.”

The report offers suggestions to parents on ways to help sons and daughters make the right decision when it comes to risky behaviors, such as establishing firm rules–and consequences and arming them with ways to respond to peer pressure.

For more tips,  go to the Kids Health website by clicking here.

Researchers Link Trauma in Youth to Smoking

Young adults and adolescents who experience traumas are more likely to develop a lifelong smoking habit, according to a Duke University Medical Center study.

“When people suffer a traumatic event, they can experience an emotional shock to the system,” said Bernard Fuemmeler, Ph.D, one of the lead researchers. “Sometimes people turn toward substances like nicotine because they feel that it helps them cope,” he said. “There is a great need to intervene early, especially among those who might be at high risk.”

Read more by clicking on the Duke Health website.

Reducing Kids’ Salt Intake May Lower Soft Drink Consumption

Children who eat less salt drink fewer sugar-sweetened soft drinks and may significantly lower their risks for obesity, elevated blood pressure and later-in-life heart attack and stroke, researchers reported in the print and on line issue of “Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.”

“We found that children eating a lower-salt diet drank less fluid,” said Dr. Feng J. He, M.D., lead author of the study. “From our research, we estimated that 1 gram of salt cut from their daily diet would reduce fluid intake by 100 grams per day.”

“If children aged 4 to 18 years cut their salt intake by half (i.e., an average reduction of 3 grams a day), there would be a decrease of approximately two sugar-sweetened soft drinks per week per child, so each child would decrease calorie intake by almost 250 kcal per week,” he said.

Read more about the study on the American Heart Association website.

Chicken Pox Check Up

With recent concerns about chickenpox in the community, the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) is reminding parents to make sure their children have updated immunizations. It is also imperative for parents to check their child’s shot record with their doctor to see if they have already started the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine series.

“Now is a great time to beat the back to school immunization rush and keep your children safe from vaccine preventable diseases like the chickenpox,” said Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director of the OCHD.

In Florida, the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is a requirement for daycare and school entry. The minimum age to receive the vaccine is 12 months. Two doses are required; the second dose is recommended routinely at age four to six years, but may be given earlier if desired.

For more information from the OCHD, click here.

CDC Warns of Deaths Due to the “Choking Game”

At least 82 youths have died as a result of playing what has been called “the choking game,” according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The choking game involves intentionally trying to choke oneself or another in an effort to obtain a brief euphoric state or “high.” Death or serious injury can result if strangulation is prolonged.

Eighty-seven percent of these deaths were among males, and most fatalities occurred among those 11 years to 16 years old; the average age was 13, the CDC report said. Choking game deaths were identified in 31 states. Most deaths occurred when a child engaged in the choking game alone, and most parents were unaware of the choking game prior to their child’s death.

Click here to learn more about the Choking Game.

ACL Injuries Becoming More Common in Kids

Orthopedic specialists say the number of injuries to Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL), knee ligaments,  is on the rise affecting several thousand children and young adolescents each year. And girls are much more likely than boys to have the injury.

In adults, the most effective treatment for this injury is surgery, but this treatment is riskier for youngsters who haven’t stopped growing because it involves drilling into and possibly damaging the growth plate.

Click here to read the complete story in the New York Times.

Attorney General Issues Drug Warning for Parents And Schools

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers are warning parents, teachers and school administrators of an alarming trend with dangerous implications for Florida school children. Federal and state law enforcement agencies are reporting that flavored drugs, particularly methamphetamines, heroin and marijuana, are circulating throughout the U.S., often enticing younger children. These drugs could be ingested by unsuspecting children and are extremely harmful, say authorities.

Flavors can include strawberry, chocolate, cola and others. The flavoring reduces the bitter taste of the drug and does not affect the potency of the drug, according the warning from McCollum. Children may mistake the drug for candy pop rocks.

Click here for more information.

Many Kids Experiment With Alcohol Before Age 13

Alcohol may be an adult drink, but younger and younger kids are giving it a try.

According to a new study that appears in “Pediatrics” magazine, one-third of seventh graders experiment with the drink before they are 13, and when they do, they are at a greater risk for attempting suicide and engaging in violent behavior than those who don’t.

“Findings from this study and other reports highlight the importance of delaying and reducing alcohol use among youths,” Dr. Monica H. Swahn of Georgia State University in Atlanta and her research team say in their report.

Click here to read the complete story on the Medline Plus website.

Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Draws 600 Plus Kids

Some 600 elementary school children of all ages and sizes from Winter Park Consortium Schools participated in the Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Track and Field Event at Showalter Field on January 26.

Despite the sporadic rain showers, the event drew 50 to 60 more students than last year. And event organizer Scott Millson estimated that if the weather had been better, the total would have been closer to 650 to 700.

Read more about the event by clicking here.

Smile Mile Gives Kids Another Chance to Run

The Smile Mile, a one-mile children’s race for kids age five to 11, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at Blue Jacket Park at Baldwin Park in Orlando. One school from each county with the highest participation wins a plaque and a $500 Track Shack Foundation grant for physical education programs. To qualify, a school must have at least 25 runners participating.

Kids receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal provided by the Musante Family Trust in support of kids health and fitness.

Visit the Track Shack website for more information.