Parents cut kids' calories when menus are labeled

January 24, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When restaurant menus list calories, parents will limit how much fast food their kids eat, a new report suggests.

One-fifth of US teens have unhealthy cholesterol

January 21, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One in five American teens has unhealthy cholesterol levels, a major risk factor for heart disease in adults, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

Flu vaccine additive boosts wide protection

January 20, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A vaccine additive made by Novartis and used in its European influenza shots can boost the body's immune response to a wide range of viruses, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

Secondhand smoke may disrupt asthmatic kids' sleep

January 19, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with asthma may have a harder time getting a good night's sleep if they live with a smoker.

Experts urge screening for obesity in kids

January 18, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors should screen children and teens between 6 and 18 years for extra pounds, a federal task force recommends.

Starting spoonfeeding later may trim obesity risk

January 18, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Waiting longer to start infants on solid food could make for slimmer adults, new research shows.

Bipolar diagnosis jumps in young children: study

January 15, 2010 — BOSTON (Reuters) - The number of children aged 2 to 5 who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed powerful antipsychotic drugs has doubled over the past decade, according to research released on Friday.

US parents on trial in 4-year-old's overdose death

January 13, 2010 — BOSTON (Reuters) - The parents of a 4-year-old girl with psychiatric problems who died after overdosing on powerful drugs are about to face first-degree murder charges in a Boston area courtroom.

Movies for kids still depict unsafe behaviors

January 13, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While movie makers have gotten better at portraying appropriate injury-prevention tactics in movies made for kids, many scenes still show characters riding bikes without helmets, on boats without life vests, and riding in cars without buckling up, a US government study found.

Peanut allergies less common than tests suggest

January 13, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many children who test positive for sensitivity to peanuts may not actually have full-blown allergies to the food, a new study suggests.

Longer breastfeeding good for kids' mental health

January 12, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who are breastfed for longer than six months could be at lower risk of mental health problems later in life, new research from Australia suggests.

Timing of weight-loss surgery in teens important

December 29, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to weight-loss surgery for very obese adolescents, having the surgery sooner rather than later may yield a better long-term outcome, new study findings hint.

Refrigerated breast milk keeps integrity for 4 days

December 29, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Breast milk can be refrigerated for up to four days without losing its nutritional value or allowing bacteria to build up, a small study suggests.

Do multivitamins curb kids' allergy risk?

December 25, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Giving multivitamins to kids 5 to 8 years old does not seem to alter their overall likelihood of having allergies, hint findings of a study from Sweden.

U.S. doctors link gene to childhood asthma

December 24, 2009 — BOSTON (Reuters) - A defective gene appears to contribute to most cases of childhood asthma, a finding that could lead to a better understanding of allergies, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.