Birth Control Warning

FROM CNN: New research finds that a particular kind of birth control may be harmful to women's bones. The birth control shot known as Deprovera is an attractive option for women because it can be taken just four times a year, rather than every day as is common with birth control pills.

But women receiving the shot should pay extra attention to their BONE HEALTH, new research finds. Doctors at the University of Texas followed 95 women using Deprovera for two years and periodically assessed their bone strength. HALF of users had a sizeable drop in mineral density in their spine or hip bones - which could lead to fracture risk. The shot causes a long-term disturbance in hormones, which both prevents pregnancy and causes bone changes.

Past research suggests that the bone strength typically RECOVERS when women stop using Deprovera, but this can't be guaranteed and experts advise women to limit the DURATION they are on the shot to no more than two years. SMOKERS run particular risk for bone loss, so women can reduce their odds by not smoking and doctors recommend taking calcium and vitamin D to boost bone strength as well. Source: published in Obstetrics & Gynecology

I tried Dep-provera once and it didn't sit right with me. But when it doesn't have side effects, I hear it's nice because you don't have to take a pill everyday. I can't say the convenience would be worth harming your bones though.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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More Child Abuse

This is so sad, but I do agree that winter is more stressful. The kids seem to go stir crazy because they can't run around outside. Obviously that is not a reason to hurt your kids though!

FROM MEDIA SOURCE: We’re in the dead of winter, holiday bills are rolling in and many families are struggling to make ends meet - could that be leading to a rise in child abuse and neglect?

Abuse and neglect cases have doubled at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Oh) over the past 18 months and experts there suspect that the trend holds true across the country.

The good news: there are programs that can help. Check out http://msmediacenter.tv/story.php?id=22 to see how one nurse at Nationwide Children’s is trying to diffuse those dangerous situations through home visits, one family at a time. She also shares tips on how to handle stress constructively.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Kids watching even more T.V.

I think most of us knew this was going to happen. New research shows kids have way too much T.V., video game and computer time. I admit, my kids probably do get too much of it. I think it's important for them to learn how to use the computer and some programming is good for them. However, I am sure we exceed the maximum media time for the week.

They have to do something while I get ready in the morning. I do try to push toys before turning on the tube, but I am by no means obsessed about how many hours they are watching. Maybe that should be my New Year's Resolution. Do you limit your kid's T.V. time? How many hours a week do they watch?

FROM NBC: Kids are consuming a whopping average of seven hours and 38 minutes per day of entertainment media... that's more than 53 hours a week. Also...most kids have become 'media multitaskers' meaning they use more than one type of media at a time.

Taking that into account, researches with the kaiser family foundation, say kids actually are seeing about 10-hours and 45-minutes worth of media content during a typical day. That's up from eight hours and 33 minutes in 2004. Researchers are hoping this study will help parents and scientists understand how today's media blitz is affecting our children.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Student Stress

Does this mean the entitlement generation is finally over?

FROM NBC: A new study finds five times as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety and other mental issues than those studied in the great depression era.

It's what school counselors on campuses nationwide have long suspected. This, as students struggle with the stresses of school and every day life. The study was conducted by researchers at five universities. The study did not look at why students have more anxiety, but mental health professionals speculate it's the effects of a society increasingly focused on the external... from wealth to looks and status.

I think there is more anxiety in society in general. I don't really think I was more anxious in high school and college than I am now. For me, it's not about wealth, looks and status. It's about providing for my family and doing the best job I can. Sometimes it's just about getting through the day! My almost three-year-old just told me he wants to pee in his pants again. Of course, just when I thought he was about potty trained! There is problem a lot of anxiety at my house, but it sure is fun too! You never know what will happen next!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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BPA is still everywhere!

I feel like a broken record. It is hard to believe BPA is still on the market in so many plastic and food items. Here is the latest story from NBC. It makes me furious that I interview a lead researcher on BPA YEARS AGO who said it should be taken out of all food items. Yet his research is just now coming to light. How aggravating! Here's the link to my interview with Professor Frederick Vom Saal.

FROM NBC: Officials from the department of health and human services say the chemical Bisphenol-A might not be safe for young children -- and will invest 30-million dollars into more research on potential health concerns.

Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is a chemical used in plastics. It's found in water bottles, the lining of cans and many other household items. it's also found in some baby bottles and sippy cups.

The new stance represents a reversal from previous language from the Food and Drug Administration, which stated BPA is safe at low levels. The shift is partially based on a 2008 report from the national toxicology program that raised concerns that b-p-a might affect brain development, behavior and the prostate gland.

Because of this, there's been growing concern in recent years about BPA exposure among babies and young children. But while many manufacturers have introduced BPA-free bottles and sippy cups, the chemical is still found in the lining of some pre-mixed liquid formula containers.

Until more research is conducted, health officials say the benefits of using formula outweigh any potential risks from BPA exposure. the chemical is not usually found in the powdered formula containers, according to the FDA.

Meanwhile -- there are some things parents can do to reduce their child's exposure to BPA. the HHS recommends throwing out scratched and worn baby bottles and cups, which could release small amounts of BPA.

Also -- some studies have suggested BPA can leach into food and drinks when plastic containers are heated. officials recommend against heating up breast milk or formula, or adding boiling water to any containers that have BPA.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Kids lower your blood pressure

So there is a benefit I didn't realize to all the madness at my house...

FROM ABC: From temper tantrums to messy rooms, children's behavior often stresses out their tired parents but new research finds over the long haul, raising kids may be good for you. Scientists had 200 married men and women wear blood pressure monitors for 24 hours.

Results showed the couples with children had lower blood pressure readings than those without kids. The finding was particularly strong for women - mothers had the lowest blood pressure of all the groups, while childless women had the highest readings. Researchers suggest hormonal changes from pregnancy and childbirth may explain the differences. It did not matter how many children a couple had or how old the kids were - even babies with their crying and late-night habits were linked to lower blood pressure.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Born Free Coupon

Kids are staying heavy

FROM NBC: While childhood obesity is a serious problem, the number of American kids and teens who are overweight has remained steady over the past decade. BMI is a measurement of height and weight. Children are considered to have a high BMI if their growth chart places them at or above the 95th percentile.

10-percent of infants and toddlers have a high BMI, and roughly 18-percent of teenagers -- yet new research shows this number has remained stable for the past ten years.

The only exception is 6 to 19 year old boys -- who are heavier than ever before. Children with high BMI's often become obese adults -- leading to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

My comment on this story is a little random. I was watching the sitcom "The Middle" last night and it really bothered me that the family constantly eats fast food. I understand that it's supposed to be funny and I shouldn't take what they eat seriously. However, the show gives the impression that you can eat hamburgers and french fries for dinner every night and still look like the actors on the show (who are all thin.) I am probably being too sensitive, but I just don't like that part of the show. Has anyone else every noticed that?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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