Is Children's Health Getting Unhealthier?

Author: Knight Pierce Hirst

Author: Knight Pierce Hirst

Starting in 2009 many school districts removed chocolate milk from their school lunch programs. An 8-oz. serving of reduced-fat chocolate milk has almost as many calories and sugar as a 12-oz. can of Coke, contributing to the childhood obesity crisis. Although milk has been an integral part of school lunches since the federally subsidized program was started in 1946, flavored milk has been a concern since the 2006 rule requiring schools to have comprehensive "wellness programs". Because more than half of U.S. flavored milk is sold in schools, the dairy industry is "cow-ering" about the loss of market share.

A 2009 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that exercise improves brain function in children. The study of 1.2 million Swedish males - including 1500 identical twins - found that 18-year-olds in excellent cardiovascular condition did better on cognitive tests than less fit 18-year-olds. Also, those who increased their fitness between ages 15 and 18 got better scores then those who decreased their fitness during those ages. In fact, the fittest 18-year-olds were likelier to achieve higher educational and socioeconomic status later in life. According to this study, exercise provides a stronger future.

However, in 2009 many health experts recommended students who play sports be screened for heart disease. One in 100,000 people ages 12 to 24 dies suddenly from undiagnosed congenital heart problems. Children who play sports are almost 3 times as vulnerable. Death usually occurs when they're in training for or participating in sports - when adrenalin is flowing and the heart is at peak performance. When more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston were tested, 10% had abnormal EKG's. Nevertheless, giving cardiovascular examinations only to students because of their family history or their school physical was the American Heart Association's heartfelt opinion.

In 2010 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first multi-state outbreak of salmonella associated with the African dwarf frog - the cute, little amphibian sold in pet stores. The CDC began investigating after the Utah Health Department reported 5 children infected by salmonella typhimurium. All 5 children had these frogs and all the frogs came from the same California distributor. In 2009 salmonella from African dwarf frogs sickened at least 85 people - most under age 10 - and a third were hospitalized. Supposedly these frogs sing. If so, parents should insist they sing "Far Away".About the Author:

Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three times a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

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