BiotechMashup

(Wiley-Blackwell) Thirteen percent of the children who took part in a study of 120 schools made themselves sick to lose weight. The figures were much higher in younger children, with 16 percent of 10- to 12-year-olds and 15 percent of 13- to 15-year-olds vomiting, compared with 8 percent of 16- to 18-year-olds. Sixteen percent of the boys made themselves sick, compared with 10 percent of the girls. Researchers say more sleep, daily breakfast, less computer time and less fried food and snacks could reduce rates.

(Oregon Health & Science University) A recent federal survey of children's health shows more than 6.7 million children in the United States don't have health insurance, and nearly 1 in 4 insured children lack adequate insurance coverage. The national survey also reveals that rates of obesity increased from 14.8 percent in 2003 to 16.4 percent in 2007. Today more than 10 million youths ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese.

Children as young as ten are making themselves vomit in order to lose weight and the problem is more common in boys than girls. 13% of the 8,673 girls and 7,043 boys who took part in the research admitted they made themselves sick to lose weight. But the figures were much higher in younger children, with 16% of 10-12 year-olds and 15% of 13-15 year-olds vomiting. The figures fell to 8% in 16-18 year-olds. The study of 120 schools also found that 16% of the boys made themselves sick, compared with 10% of the girls.

(Kaiser Permanente) A study of 690,000 children found extremely obese children have a 40 percent higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and moderately obese children have a 30 percent higher risk of GERD compared to normal weight children.This large population-based study establishes an association between obesity and GERD in children, an association previously reported in adults. GERD leads to chronic respiratory conditions, and increased risk for esophageal cancer, the nation's fastest growing cancer.

A study of 690,000 children found extremely obese children have a 40 percent higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and moderately obese children have a 30 percent higher risk of GERD compared to normal weight children. This large population-based study establishes an association between obesity and GERD in children, an association previously reported in adults. GERD leads to chronic respiratory conditions, and increased risk for esophageal cancer, the nation's fastest growing cancer.

A new study recommends horticultural interventions in schools, especially in urban areas. Researchers compared urban and rural students' attitudes toward nature and examined perception differences between boys and girls. The results showed significant differences in the ways boys and girls experience plants and nature. While the girls said they appreciated the beauty of flowers and plants, more than 30 percent of boys in the study said they could live without vegetation.

by Yvonne Schönbeck, Henk Talma, Paula van Dommelen, Boudewijn Bakker, Simone E. Buitendijk, Remy A. HiraSing, Stef van Buuren
Objective To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Dutch children and adolescents, to examine the 30-years trend, and to create new body mass index reference charts. Design Nationwide cross-sectional data collection by trained health care professionals.Participants: 10,129 children of Dutch origin aged 0–21 years.

The prevalence of high weight among children and teens in the US (i.e., at or above the 95th percentile), ranges from approximately 10 percent to 18 percent, although these rates appear to have remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, except for an increase for 6- to 19-year-old boys who are at the very heaviest weight levels, according to a new study.

A study exploring the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nine-year-olds and its associations with chronic illness and bullying has recently been completed. The study found obesity to be more prevalent in girls. In addition children, particularly boys with an abnormal body weight had a significantly higher rate of an ongoing chronic illness. Children who were overweight or obese were a lot more likely to be victimized by bullying when compared to children who were not overweight.