Study Shows Association Between Bed-Wetting and Sleep Apnea
A recent study showed that kids who suffer from sleep apnea (stop-breathing episodes during loud snoring while asleep, often due to enlarged tonsils) are more likely to also suffer from bed-wetting.

Dr. Sears comments: If your child has persistent bed-wetting problems, AND snores loudly, talk to your doctor about treating sleep apnea. This may result in dry nights for your child, and more sleep for the whole family.

Snoring May Increase Hyperactivity and Other Behavioral Problems
A recent study revealed that kids who snore are more likely to experience behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and learning disorders.

Food Labels Will Require Trans-Fat Information
Beginning in 2006, all packaged foods will require labels informing how much unhealthy, artery-clogging trans-fats they contain.

Dr. Sears comments: It's about time. Meanwhile, you can read the ingredients list for the word "hydrogenated". This tells you to stay away from that food. Click here to read more about how to cut fat out of your diet using the LEAN Program.

More School Districts are Banning Vending Machines
In an effort to battle the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, more and more states and schools are considering banning vending machines. The largest school district in the U.S., located in New York, decided to join the ban. A Los Angeles School District also made the move, although it wouldn't go into effect until the school could find another source of revenue to replace the money lost from eliminating the vending machines. Such machines are a huge source of income for school districts, which can earn several hundred thousand dollars each year in each district.

Dr. Sears comments: while the revenue loss to schools will be a hurdle, the health of our nation's children is paramount. Hopefully more and more districts will join the fight for better health.

Farmed Salmon May Be Contaminated With Harmful Chemicals
An environmental group tested farmed salmon from 10 different west coast grocery stores and found that 7 stores sold salmon with high levels of PCB's, a chemical that can cause cancer and other health problems.

Dr. Sears comments: I have long been an advocate of eating WILD salmon, as the benefits from the healthy omega fats are incredible. This research sheds light on the importance of eating WILD salmon (caught in the ocean) instead of farmed salmon. Of course, this was a small study, and hopefully the FDA will look into this issue more.

Study Shows the Importance of Wearing Seat Belts While Pregnant
A recent study revealed that pregnant women who were involved in a motor vehicle accident while NOT wearing a seat belt were more likely to have more bleeding complications, more stillbirths, and birth smaller babies than women who DID wear a seat belt during a crash.

American Academy of Pediatrics Advises How to Prevent Infant Skull Deformity
Infants who spend a lot of time laying of their back, or always sleeping with their head facing in the same direction, are likely to develop a flat area on that part of the skull. This can lead to a misshapen head. The AAP published guidelines this month to help inform parents on how to prevent this. The suggestions included varying your baby's sleep position (always keep baby on his back, but vary the direction that the baby faces), providing supervised tummy time, and minimizing time spent in infant carrier seats, swings, and other situations that leave babies on their backs for extended periods.

Dr. Sears comments: Easy babies who are left alone for long periods on their backs, or who are constantly carried in infant seats or car seat carriers, are at greatest risk for a misshapen head. One sure way to prevent this is to simply carry baby in your arms or in a baby sling frequently. Click here to read more about "babywearing".