Parents Dilemma: Pox Party or Vaccination?

Parents are intentionally exposing their children to chickenpox—as well as measles, mumps and rubella—at arranged "pox parties." Last week we reported on the use of chickenpox-laced lollipops, available on the internet, to expose children to the disease rather than receive a vaccination. The clampdown by law enforcement on this method is causing the increased popularity of “pox parties,” assemblages of children gathered together for the sole reason of infection. Social media outlets like Facebook have advertisements for such get-togethers, and they seem to be gathering steam. But there is a question of whether this type of exposure is safer for children than getting immunized. The backlash against wholesale childhood vaccination...

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Posted in: HEALTH

Can Weight Loss Reset Health Risks in Heavy Kids?

Overweight or obese children who shed excess pounds in adulthood are not automatically destined for higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overweight children who shed their excess pounds in adulthood don't face a higher risk of obesity-related health problems, an analysis of four studies involving children and adults in the United States, Australia and Finland has concluded. The findings don't prove weight loss in itself will eliminate the extra risks, but they mean overweight or obese children are not automatically destined for higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. "There is hope for overweight and obese children," chief author Dr. Markus Juonala...

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Posted in: HEALTH