A new study reports a 119% rise in eating disorders in children 12 years and younger between 1999 and 2006. The eating disorders were anorexia nervosa (severe preoccupation with food and restricted food intake) and bulimia nervosa (binging and purging). The increased emphasis of society and the media on thinness was proposed as an explanation for the findings. American Academy of Pediatrics
Body Image and Young Children
The results of a recent study found that children as young as 4 years chose pictures of significantly underweight women as “most beautiful”. The researchers connected this finding to exposure of children to media images that glorify extreme thinness and expressed concern that increased numbers of children will have body image issues. Parental monitoring of media exposurewas recommended.
Body Image Journal
Middle School Children:
Drinking and R-Rated Movies
A study conducted by Dartmouth Medical School found that middle school-age students who watch R-rated films are far more likely to start drinking than those whose parents don’t allow them to watch R-rated movies.
Parents are advised to carefully monitor the movies their children watch.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
American Preschoolers Watch Too Much TV
A research study found that 70% of American preschoolers watch TV and play video and computer games in excess of the limits recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP recommends that children under 2 years do not watch TV or play video and computer games and that preschoolers 3 and older have no more than 1 hour of screen time combined.
Journal of Pediatrics
Binge Drinking Leads to Memory Loss in College Students
A Spanish study found that college students who engaged in binge drinking alcohol (having multiple drinks at one time) had decreased ability to recall words. The researchers emphasized that the brains of teens and young adults are still developing and alcohol use may interfere with optimal brain growth.Parents are advised to talk with their children/teens about the negative effects of drinking.
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research
The Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families joins parents, school and community in promoting
safe, healthy and drug-free youth and supporting families. For more information, please call 586/723-2360.
