In a study published in the Christmas 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal, Aaron Carroll, M.D., M.S., and Rachel Vreeman, M.D., M.S., of the Indiana University School of Medicine, explore the science behind six myths commonly associated with the holidays yet relevant year-round. Sugar makes kids hyperactive. Suicides increase over the holidays. Poinsettias are toxic.

Almost one million children measured Nearly one million school children were weighed and measured during 2007/08 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today. This exceeds the national goal of 85 per cent participation with 88 per cent of children in Reception and Year Six being weighed.

Insufficient vitamin D can stunt growth and foster weight gain during puberty, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Even in sun-drenched California, where scientists from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the University of Southern California conducted their study, vitamin D deficiency was found to cause higher body mass and shorter stature in girls at the peak of their growing spurt.

Days when schoolchildren walked to neighbourhood schools are long gone. A new study by a team of researchers led by Paul Lewis, a professor of Urban Planning at the Université de Montréal, shows that only 30 percent of children attending elementary school reach school on foot or by bicycle.

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, today announced at 10 additional schools in Illinois will begin implementing the CATCH program - Coordinated Approach to Child Health. Today's announcement continues Governor Rod R. Blagojevich's efforts to address the obesity problem by changing children's and parents' attitudes and behaviors toward nutrition and physical activity. "We are facing an obesity epidemic across the nation and here in Illinois.

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, today announced at 10 additional schools in Illinois will begin implementing the CATCH program - Coordinated Approach to Child Health. Today's announcement continues Governor Rod R. Blagojevich's efforts to address the obesity problem by changing children's and parents' attitudes and behaviors toward nutrition and physical activity. "We are facing an obesity epidemic across the nation and here in Illinois.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is giving children the opportunity to become "health care heroes" by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it and implementing the programs in their communities. UnitedHealth HEROES is a service-learning, health literacy initiative designed to encourage young people, working through educators and youth leaders, to create and implement local hands-on programs to address the issue of childhood obesity.

As their bodies grow rapidly and hormonal changes take them on an emotional roller-coaster, teenagers often seem to have lots on in their lives and healthy habits are low priority. It can be a trying time for parents too, but here are some suggestions that might help give your teenagers a healthy boost.

The latest Department of Health (DOH) data report on youth shows that an estimated 7,300 of Hawai'i's public high school students are obese (15.6%). Additionally, an estimated 5,600 students reported attempting suicide within the past year, a statistic that shows Hawai'i's youth are at greater risk than the national average. However, the findings of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) showed Hawai'i youth's decline in risky health behaviors, such as tobacco, alcohol and other drug use.

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise both in our country and worldwide and it no longer just affects older overweight people: children and adolescents are now being diagnosed with it. The key risk factors over which we have control are being overweight and leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Getting our little ones into good habits early on is the best way to prevent Type 2 diabetes and also heart disease.