Teen boys who drink may raise their risk for aggressive prostate cancer decades later, a preliminary study suggests. Compared to non-drinkers, men who reported having at least one alcoholic drink a day between ages 15 and 19 had more than triple the odds of developing aggressive prostate cancer in adulthood, the researchers said. The study… read on >
Teens who drink or smoke already have stiffening arteries, and the risk is highest for those who are both heavy smokers and heavy drinkers, a new study reports. Arterial stiffening is a sign of blood vessel damage that increases the chances for heart attack and stroke later in life. The good news is that teens… read on >
Limiting online access used to be the main parenting strategy to protect kids from internet hazards like cyberbullying and sexual predators. But research suggests that teaching them how to avoid these risks in the first place is a smarter and safer approach. Thanks to photo- and video-sharing apps, much of a teen’s and even a… read on >
Your child’s backpack may be incredibly handy and reflect a personal sense of style. It should also be functional and help protect your child’s back, the Nemours Foundation says. If a backpack is poorly worn or too heavy, it can strain muscles and joints and cause back pain. Doctors recommend that kids keep backpacks filled… read on >
Autism spectrum disorder — or ASD — is a developmental disability now diagnosed in about one in 37 boys and one in 151 girls in the United States. Researchers are learning more about why differences in the brain develop and result in autism spectrum disorder, which includes autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Both environmental factors and… read on >
Everyone worries about drug abuse among children, but a hidden danger for some kids rests in prescription medicines intended to help them, a new study warns. Some children and teenagers who are prescribed multiple medications are at risk of drug interactions that could literally stop their heart, according to the report. “We found that about… read on >
More and more pregnant or breastfeeding women are using marijuana, and U.S. pediatricians are pushing back against the notion that the drug is “safe.” There’s evidence that exposure to marijuana compounds might harm the fetus, and these compounds might also find their way into breast milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says in a… read on >
Children need nutritious lunches to help them stay healthier, concentrate in school and play sports. The FDA suggests how to pack a healthier lunch: Plan your meals for the entire week. Fill your child’s lunchbox with foods that contribute to healthy growth and weight maintenance. Encourage your child to help pack lunch. This will help… read on >
As parents send their kids back to school, they need to remember the school day includes the hours before and after classes, a leading pediatrician’s group says. Children in grade school and middle school require supervision, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). An adult should be available to get them ready and off… read on >
Want to help your kids succeed at school? Watch what they eat. Research shows that children who have a nutritious breakfast have better concentration, more energy and do better in school, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Some schools provide breakfast. If your kids’ school does not, make sure they eat a breakfast… read on >
