Teens and Alcohol

26 Sep 2011

Binge drinking with teens: Teens drink alcohol less often than adults. But, they drink greater quantities when they do. Teens are more likely to mix different types alcohol. Binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks in one session. 24% of teens admitted to binge drinking in the last 30 days. All social and health problems related to drinking alcohol occur more frequently with binge drinking. Teen stats: Alcohol is the number 1 abused substance among US teenagers, above smoking and drugs. Teens account for 11.4% of all alcohol consumed in the US. 8th graders: 51.7% have tried alcohol and 15.2% have had one or more binges. 10th graders:… Continue Reading Teens and Alcohol

An Epidemic in America: What Can Parents Do To Stop Childhood Obesity?

19 Sep 2011

In 1970 1 in 20 children were considered obese (defined as weighing 20% or more than their ideal weight) NOW, 1 in 5 are considered obese and 1 in 3 are overweight! The complications from this problem are not only physical but social and emotional for our kids. The cause is simple, our children are eating too much and exercising too little. We can fight this epidemic! Seven Steps To Healthier Children: Model healthier eating: eat healthy by example and show them how to pay attention to when you are full. the home environment: change what you keep in the house to healthy, non processed foods, and limit the sweets.… Continue Reading An Epidemic in America: What Can Parents Do To Stop Childhood Obesity?

Are You Suffering From Allergies, This Time Of Year?

12 Sep 2011

Although there are not many blooming flowers this time of year there are plenty of pollen and spores causing you to suffer: The Big One: RAGWEED begins pollenating in August with the warm days cool nights and is in peak season NOW. Molds: As we pile up dead leaves they will contain moisture, basements will have excess moisture, bathrooms may have moisture, all lead to mold. Dust mites: Microscopic spider-like insects that are stirred up with turning on the furnace. Children: Not as the cause, but kids suffer as they are exposed to dust mites, molds in ther schools from the summer heat, chalk dust. Food allergies: Always a threat… Continue Reading Are You Suffering From Allergies, This Time Of Year?

How can you protect yourself from flu?

05 Sep 2011

Each year over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized for the serious complications from the flu and there were over 14,000 deaths resulting from the flu last year! How can you protect yourself? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 to cause a pandemic. Everyone 6 months of age and… Continue Reading How can you protect yourself from flu?