A Columbia & NYU study reveals teens watching TV three or more hours a day are at risk for developing attention and learning problems. The study examined 678 families from upsate New York, interviewing parents and children about their television habits and school performance.

Did excessive TV time cause attention and learning problems, or were children who already had these problems more prone to watch TV? The association is not clear, but suggests that those who watch a large amount of television are at a disadvantage in school compared to those who do not.

Some of the outcomes noted with increased TV viewing include failure to complete homework, boredom at school, poor grades, negative attitudes about school, failure in secondary school, and failure to obtain post-secondary education. It may be simply that excessive TV viewing takes away time that may otherwise be spent on educational activities, reading and doing homework.

To improve educational achievement, parents should limit TV time to 1-2 hours per day of quality programming. We suggest removing the TV from your child’s room to limit unrestricted access and monitor what your child is watching. Spend more time on family activities and games that challenge learning and thinking for everyone!

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=604353

New evidence reported by the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows a link between food additives-commonly found in junk foods and soft drinks-and hyperactivity in children. Scientists at Southampton University tested the effects of seven synthetic colorings and preservatives in children ages 3 and 9. As a result British government researchers are warning parents to keep artificial colorings out of their children’s diet. Their data supports the long-standing suggestions that additives and preservatives are linked to ADHD.

Supermarket chains in Britain, including ASDA (a unit of Walmart stores) and Tesco, have responded by removing all artificial colors and flavors from it’s own private labeled food products. ASDA has pledged that by the end of the year it’s own labeled food and drinks would no longer contain any artificial colors or flavors, aspartame, hydrogenated fat, or flavor enhancers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKL152719320070515

Food additives and enhancers offer no nutritional value and may be worsening your child’s behavior. We recommend keeping the use of additives to a minimum in your own family’s diet and eat healthier by choosing whole foods, served in their original form the way mother nature intended. At ADD Health and Wellness, we integrate nutritional information with traditional psychotherapeutic and medical interventions for the best outcomes.

More data released emphasizing the risks of smoking during pregnancy. Biological Psychiatry just this week released data that highlights the impact of smoking during pregnancy. Specifically, there is a connection between an unborn baby being exposed to smoking and ADHD symptoms in genetically susceptible children. The study investigated male and female twin pairs, aged 7–19 years and determined that: “When genetic factors are combined with prenatal cigarette smoke exposure, the ADHD risk rises very significantly”.

We have substantial research indicating that children with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Therefore, smoking during pregnancy actually perpetuates the difficulties associated with ADHD across generations.

Is there really more to say about Omega 3 fatty acids? Yes! According to Dr. Alex Richardson, a research fellow at Oxford University’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. “Our brain is built, maintained, and repaired by what we eat” says Richardson. It is clear that nutrients do affect brain development, and in particular the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA play an important role in brain cell health. Omega-3’s have shown benefits in improving symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and developmental coordination disorder. Still not convinced you need these essential fats? A 2005 study of 117 children ages 5-12 showed signficiant improvements in reading, spelling and ADHD symptoms after only a few months of omega-3’s. Smart tip: add a tsp of liquid fish oil to your protein shake in the morning to improve mood, learning, and behavior!http://thestar.com.my/health/story.aspfile=/2007/5/10/health/17640080&sec=health

Laughter is contagious. Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience last December has shown that positive sounds such as laughter triggers a response in the listener’s brain. This response occurs in the area of the brain that is activated when we smile, as though preparing our facial muscles to laugh. The research team played a series sounds to volunteers as they measured their brain’s response using an fMRI scanner. Sounds were positive, such as laughter or triumph, whilst others were unpleasant, such as screaming or retching. All of the sounds triggered a response in the volunteer’s brain in the pre-motor cortical region, which prepares the muscles in the face to respond accordingly, though the response was greater for positive sounds, suggesting that these were more contagious than negative sounds. The researchers believe this explains why we respond to laughter or cheering with an involuntary smile.

As most parents know, their children’s bedtime problems are a parent’s bedtime problem! However, recent research found in the current issue of the journal of Pediatrics gives us more information on the impact of parents and mothers in particular. This study had more than 10,000 families participating and results clearly indicate that both parent’s emotional well-being and physical health are significantly impacted by their child’s lack of sleep. Overall, mothers appeared to be particularly affected, the study found. Whereas only infant sleep problems were linked to poorer health among fathers, sleep difficulties at any age seemed to affect mothers’ physical and psychological well-being. 

Gravity machines have found a niche at the YMCA.  Gravity machines are essentially slanted glideboards. The $17.6 billion health club industry is always open to something new. The YMCA is one of roughly 30 health clubs in the United States to add Gravity machines since the start of the year. It’s not clear if this relatively new device will lead to a hot new trend like Spinning, a popular indoor cycling program, but so far it offers a glimpse into an industry always looking to entice exercisers with new ways to stay tone and trim. Gyms are always looking for ways to make exercise more effective and fun and have come a long way since the low-tech days of Indian clubs and medicine balls. Rudimentary machines like the motorized belts that jiggled users’ bellies have given way to sophisticated machines that keep tabs on cardiovascular activity and simulated distance.