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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
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Girl or boy? Knowing the baby’s sex Most parents want to know the sex of their baby before he or she appears in life, a new poll says. For a generation now, technology has made this decision a simple one, from early in a pregnancy onward. Most 18- to 34-year-old Americans and parents with young children say they prefer the beforehand knowledge, according to a Gallup Poll. However, most Catholics and other frequent churchgoers want to be surprised, as do older parents (ages 50 and older). The biggest group, 18- to 34-year-olds, were 60% in the affirmative. In asking the question to the general public – having just found out that a baby was on the way, which way would you prefer? – some 51% said they would want to wait; 47% said they would want to know the sex of the baby. Unhealthy child Today’s problem is tomorrow’s crisis The Journal of the American Medical Association welcomed the freedom of summer with a June story that says we ought to all wish our children were barefoot and running free. The fact is, more and more of them cannot run around the corner, an issue that could become a national medical crisis in a generation. Some 7% of American children (more than 5 million) have chronic conditions, described as a health issue lasting 12 months or longer. This is compared to 1.8% in 1960, and indicates that the slowdown in physical activity and a lack of healthy eating has taken a dramatic foothold. The three main issues plaguing children, as reported by the Journal: > 18% of children and teens are now afflicted with obesity. That’s an increase from 5% in the early 1970s. > 9% have asthma, nearly double the count from 20 years ago. > 6% have ADHD. The Journal warns that these conditions easily could affect these children’s well-being, employability and quality of life as they become adults. “Increasing rates of childhood chronic conditions portend major increases in long-term pulmonary, cardiovascular and mental health burdens among adults,” the article reports. Among the reasons for a growing trend: > Busier parents with less time to nurture children; this is aggravated by anxiety about letting children run to the park alone. If the parent can’t be with them, they don’t go. > Increasing time in front of the TV and involvement with sedentary activities in new media. > Fewer PE opportunities. > More fast-food meals. Reports the Journal: “Health and social welfare systems are unprepared for the rapid growth in demands that will arise from these epidemics, and major increases in public expenditures should be planned for in the near term.” Marching band Beckman High goes from Carnegie Hall to D.C. One of Southern California’s most accomplished high school marching bands, Beckman High in Irvine, will perform next year in Washington, D.C. The school’s orchestra earlier this year played at Carnegie Hall; the band has been invited to the National Cherry Blossom Parade in the nation’s capital. About a half-dozen bands are chosen nationwide each year. The 150-member Patriot Marching Band was formed in 2004 under Director Jim Kollias. It has since won numerous awards. The band has played with the UCLA contingent in the Rose Bowl and with USC at the Memorial Coliseum. Disneyland welcomed the high school band for a performance last December. The program offers marching band, jazz band, two levels of concert bands and three levels of orchestras, serving some 400 students. Information/scholarship donations: jkollias@tustin.k12.ca.us Ripple Kid of the Month As the new school year begins, we inaugurate the act of giving back. An Orange County nonprofit, Ripple Kids, Inc., features youth who are changing their community: a “ripple effect.” We ask parents and schools to nominate these contributors, ages 13 or younger. Please contact founder Bridget Belden, who is blogging about children making a difference, at ripplekids.ocfamily.com. This month’s selection is Brianna, 9, of Newport Beach. Read about her online. Coffee craze Caffeine intake among teens grows Among the unwary, it’s cunningly attractive, an addiction on the sly. It comes in many disguises, masked in the black of bare coffee or dressed to the nines in frills of sugary frappes and whipped cream. It’s caffeine, and it’s converting teens everywhere. Lattes, frappacinos, macchiatos – the sweet taste of these caloric drinks oftentimes cloaks the coffee flavor, so even non-coffee drinkers are participating. Then there’s soda, chocolate, and the innumerable energy drinks on the market claiming to give us the energy of angels on deadline – or at least wings. In our efficiency-based coffee culture, even teens use caffeine as both a way to stay alert and as a social outlet, meeting at local coffeehouses for a shoot-up of conversation and java. The former concern that caffeine stunts growth has for a time been considered myth, but concern remains as the average caffeine intake among teenagers increases. Though studies have not been done among youth younger than 18, the percentage of people ages 18 to 24 who drink coffee every day has increased from 16% to 37% since 2003, according to the National Coffee Association. So what’s the problem, if caffeine doesn’t stunt growth? “Caffeine is a stimulant, so there are negative effects,” says Emily Burritt, a registered dietician at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. “These involve not being able to fall asleep, being nervous or jumpy and heart palpitations. The same kind of effect you see in adults, you also see in children.” It is especially harmful when caffeine is displacing other nutrient-rich foods that growing adolescents need, such as milk, says Burritt. Like other drugs, caffeine is addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, temporary depression and irritability. Though the American Dietetic Association does not provide recommendations for caffeine consumption for adolescents, it does state that 200 to 300 milligrams a day – about two to three cups of coffee – is safe for adults. Maggie Beidelman is a Intern at Churm Media |
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