Health Headlines
Written by Allie Childs
Colorful Veggies Good for Eyesight
A diet rich in colorful vegetables could help delay the development of cataracts, according to one study.  The researchers found that women who ate veggies such as spinach, tomatoes, peppers, squash and kale among others were seen to develop cataracts two and a half years later than women with diets high in fats and sodium. Cataracts have been known to interfere with 20 million Americans over the age of 40 causing blurred vision and resulting in surgery. However, we will all develop cataracts in life depending on whether or not we live long enough to actually experience them.
The increasing amount of full time working mothers could be leading to the also increasing childhood obesity rates, a study finds.  In the study, 8,500 adults were followed from birth in 1958. Researchers found that both parents’ current weight and mothers’ employment status were associated with the risk of their children being overweight. Children of mothers who worked full-time were 48 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than children of non-working mothers. When parents were obese, the odds of the child being overweight were three to six times greater than when parents were normal weight. Rates of both parental obesity and full-time work among mothers increased between the two generations. In 1991, 60 percent of mothers worked, including 15 percent who were full-time; that compared with 45 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in 1965. Similarly, about 12 percent of parents were obese in 1991, versus 5 to 7 percent of the first generation’s parents in 1965. Researchers estimate that in 1991, less than 8 percent of childhood obesity cases could be attributable to mothers’ employment. Experts believe that a mix of societal factors—from shifts in eating habits, to greater reliance on cars and greater consumption of TV—has contributed to the rise in childhood weight problems in recent decades.
Lead Found in Fruit Juices and Snacks
Dangerous levels of toxic lead have been found in several fruit juices and snacks, according to the Environmental Law Foundation. The researchers say certain juices and snacks were found to have exceeded the California Prop 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms of lead per serving for young children. Lead is a toxic chemical and creates an extremely high risk for children. Children have been known to experience greater effects from lead contact leading to issues with organs, tissues, and the development of the nervous system. The actual list of juices and snacks that do and do not exceed the limit of toxic lead can be viewed at www.envirolaw.org.
Mistaken Identity of Smokeless Tobacco
Young children are often mistaking smokeless tobacco products primarily used to help adults curb their addiction as candy, a study finds. Researchers at the Tobacco Control Research Group at the Harvard school of Public Health called 61 poison control centers between 2006 and 2008 and found more than 13,000 cases of children eating tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco was found in about 13 percent of these cases. Children are likely to mistake these new smokeless tobacco products as candy, because of their bright colors and fruity flavors. Nicotine is addictive and can be very harmful to children even in small doses.
Sugary Sports Drinks Leaving Schools
Following the ban of sugary sodas at California public schools, sugar-sweetened sports drinks may be next. According to a press release from Senator Alex Padilla, electrolyte filled sports drinks were a replacement when sodas were banned, but now sports drinks are on the brink of being banned as well during school hours. Also noted is that eight of the top 10 beverages sold in California public high schools are electrolyte replacement beverages. Sugary beverages have been known to be a large contributing factor to the ever so increasing childhood obesity rates.
Sources: latimesblogs.latimes.com, www.healthnews.com, abcnews.go.com/Health/, www.changebecomeschange.com, pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com