MORE SCREEN TIME AND LESS ACTIVITY CAN MEAN MORE DISTRESS
News from the American Academy of Pediatrics:Health risk behaviors have increasingly been linked to psychological distress in children and adolescents. As part of the 2003 Scottish Health Survey of nearly 1,500 children aged 4 to 12 years and their parents, researchers from the University College London looked at the association between television/screen entertainment viewing time, physical activity levels and psychological distress. Higher amounts of TV/screen time were associated with lower physical activity rates. Both higher screen time and lower physical activity rates were linked with higher odds of psychological distress, including emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer relationship problems. The authors concluded that public health policy should focus on reducing sedentary time and maintaining sufficient physical activity levels in younger children.
AAP INVITES CHILDREN TO ENTER 2009 ART CONTEST
“Protecting children from tobacco smoke” is the theme of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2009 art contest for children. Children in grades 3 to 12 are invited to submit original pieces of art for a chance to win cash prizes and a trip to the 2009 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2009. First-place winners will receive a $500 prize, with $500 for the child’s school, and a trip to Washington, DC, for the child and his or her guardian. The second-place winners will receive $250, with $250 for the child’s school. Winners will have their artwork featured on AAP’s Web site and in other promotional materials. Entries should be mailed to American Academy of Pediatrics, Art Contest, 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, July 31, 2009. Entry form, rules and guidelines are available at http://www.aap.org/artcontest/
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS – PART 1
Keep your family safe this summer while you enjoy the outdoors. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips on sun exposure, heat stress, swimming, bugs, playground dangers, bicycling, skateboards and scooters, and lawn mower safety. Tips are available in English and Spanish at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.cfm
For more information on children’s health, visit the AAP News Room at: http://www.aap.org/newsroom/
