Splenda goes to court

What is Splenda? Is it an artificial sweetener or does it have some natural qualities? If you aren't sure of the right answer, you're not alone. It seems consumers are confused about what Splenda is and they are buying it because they think it is healthier than other no calorie sweeteners. With childhood obesity on the rise, kids are being impacted by this.

This is an interesting little tidbit from Beverage.com:

The date is finally set for a landmark court case between in the US-based Sugar Association and Johnson & Johnson over the marketing of its Splenda sweetener. District Court judge Dale Fischer said the long awaited trial, which relates to allegations that McNeil Nutritionals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, had misleadingly marketed Splenda as a natural product, will commence on 6 January 2009.

The case could bring an end to a long-standing dispute between McNeil and the trade body, which claims that Splenda’s tag line - 'Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar' - is deliberately being used to make consumers believe that the artificial sweetener contains sugar.

The Sugar Association therefore maintains that the claims show a deliberate attempt to misinform consumers into believing that Splenda is a no-calorie natural sugar product.

However, McNeil continues to refute the allegations, claiming that all material supplied to customers regarding its man-made sweetener are not misleading or deceptive.
“Splenda Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is made from a process that begins with sugar,” the company stated. “In fact, 10 tons of sugar are used every day to make Splenda.”

The ingredients maker claims that it promotes the product as a lower calorie alternative to sugar to tap into concerns over increased obesity rates and other health issues. According to the manufacturer, this distinction has helped the product to become the US’ biggest selling zero calorie sweetener of the last five years.

Do you let your kids consumer artificial sweeteners? Which do you think is worse sugar or artificial sweeteners?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Clumsy kids more likely to be overweight

This is a strange little study!

Reuters Health is reporting:

Children with poor hand control and coordination are more likely to become obese adults, researchers said on Wednesday. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence linking poorer cognitive function in childhood to obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults.

A study of thousands of British children found those with the worst cognitive and physical function at the ages of seven and 11 years were far more likely to be obese in later life. "It's not a question of people who are already overweight becoming clumsy because the majority of these children weren't any heavier than their peers," researcher Scott Montgomery said in a telephone interview.

"It was assumed that all the neurological complications associated with obesity were consequences of obesity itself. This suggests that's not the case." The findings held true even after adjusting for factors likely to influence the results, such as childhood body mass and family social class, he noted. What lies behind the link is unclear but Montgomery believes it could be a function of factors such as maternal smoking during pregnancy or lack of exercise in childhood. The latter is important for developing fine motor control.

The new study by experts from Sweden's Karolinska Institute and London's Imperial College is based on more than 11,000 individuals participating in Britain's ongoing National Child Development Study, which began in 1958.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

What did you get on your A.C.T.?

A new report says Illinois students are scoring better on the A.C.T. The report shows the average score for the class of 2008 was 20.7 out of a possible 36. That's up two-tenths of a point from last year.

It's also the highest score since the test became mandatory for the class of 2002. But while the average is higher, black students' scores have been flat for the past five years. The state board of education superintendent says the disparity is a concern, but the report overall is positive.

I only took the A.C.T. once when I was in high school and I wish I had taken it more than that. I didn't do any of those pre-A.C.T. study groups or anything. I think those are a good idea. What will you/are you recommending for your kids? Do you dare tell us what you got on your A.C.T.?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Pressure for kids to lose weight

As kids head back to school, you might be in the process of buying school clothes. For some, what they look like in those clothes can consume their thoughts and overcome their lives. Here's a story from ABC out of Texas:

Being fashion forward can be pretty important when you're in school -- but losing weight to fit in those skinny jeans can be damaging physically and mentally. Young women get a lot of their ideals from what they see and what they read, Last year's West Brook high school cheerleading squad also says pressures can come from their piers.

In wanting that perfect body image some are looking for alternative means of help. After having lap band surgery last November one girl has since lost 68 pounds and says she feels great. Millions of people struggle with eating disorders and the age range is getting younger.

Lap band and gastric bypass surgery are not recommended for those under 18. For more information on eating disorders we have some suggested reading:

Something Fishy.org
Finding Balance.com

I just keep thinking about when I was in high school. I don't remember that many girls being overweight. At least not to the point where they would qualify for surgery. I can't imagine the torment for these girls who have a hundred points or more to lose. High school is hard enough without a weight problem!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Cubs, Cards and Kids

I did something Sunday night I normally wouldn't. I let my almost five-year-old go stay up until 10:00p.m. As many of you know, he is not a great sleeper so any little change in his sleeping pattern usually results in drastically negative consequences. However, my husband got 4th row tickets to the Cards/Cubs game in Chicago and then the game was switched to a night game and there was just no way around it. What would you do? Sell the tickets? Leave the little Cubbie fan at home? I just couldn't pass up the chance. This was our son's first game at Wrigley Field.

I took a risk and it was totally worth it! The little guy got some one-on-one with mom and dad and he had an absolute blast! He sang "Take me out to the ballgame." He had the biggest smile on his face! He picked out a gift for himself and his little brother at the gift shop. It was "quality" time he really needed.

Then, he slept on the way home and went right to bed with no tears. (We didn't get home until 12:30a.m.!) He woke up this morning happy and was telling his baby brother all about the big city of Chicago (the beach, huge buildings and the guy playing the drums right on the street)! It was so cute!

How old were your kids when you took them to their first professional game?

BTW, if you get this story through a feed, make sure you click on the link to see pictures from the game.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

CDC says Gardasil needs more study

From CNN:

Major concerns about a vaccine given to many teen girls. The Centers for Disease Control says Gardasil helps prevent certain types of cervical cancer. But since Gardasil hit the market two and a half years ago - there's been an alarming number of serious adverse reactions and even deaths that some say are linked to the vaccineand as more girls come forward alleging the vaccine made them sick, the more confusion and mystery there is surrounding Gardasil and its manufacturer Merck.

According to a federal tracking system - called Vaers - there have been 9,749 adverse reactions following the vaccination -- and 21 reported deaths since 2006. But Merck - Gardasil's maker - points out these are anecdotal cases.

In a statement, Merck officials say quote: "An adverse experience report describes an event that occurred after vaccination and does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused or contributed to the event."

The acting immunization safety director for the Centers for Disease Control - says Vaers does not provide enough information for researchers to prove whether Gardasil caused any of the side effects reported, and that the majority of the 8 million girls who have gotten the vaccine have had no problems.

While the CDC believes Gardasil is safe - a conservative watchdog group called Judicial Watch, which has been studying Gardasil safety, says parents' concerns about the vaccine are valid.

The CDC says it's working on a comprehensive study right now that will determine whether or not there is a pattern that links Gardasil to some of these serious side effects. That study is expected to be released in October.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Kids with Concussions

My almost five-year-old was playing with my 17-month-old and things went terribly wrong. He gets mad, picks up the baby and basically throws him down on the floor. I run(too late of course) and console the baby while sending the older one to time out.

The baby keeps crying and crying. I start to get worried and try to think of the symptoms of a concussion. What should you look for if your child gets hurt? I remember lethargy, but can't think of anything else.

I was completely overreacting and the baby is just fine, but I still wanted to know the symptoms of a concussion in kids:

1. May lose consciousness, but doesn't have to

2. Dizzy, dazed, moving differently than normal

3. Slurred speech (if the child talks)

4. Sensitivity to light ( I did take the baby outside and make sure his pupils changed with the light)

5. Irritable

6. Overly tired all of a sudden

According to teenshealth.org, a concussion is a temporary loss of normal brain function. When someone gets a head injury, it can actually bruise the brain and cause it to swell.

Concussions and other brain injuries are fairly common. About every 21 seconds, someone in the United States has a serious brain injury.

The article also says boys are more likely to get concussions than girls, unless the girl plays soccer. Do your kids get violent sometimes when they play?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.