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TV and Children
A recent study says less is better when it comes to TV
and children. Researchers at Stanford University say a school-based program
discouraging television and video game use made grade-school children
less aggressive.
In the six-month study, researchers looked at third- and
fourth-grade children at two public elementary schools in California.
One group of children received lessons on the use of TV, videos and video
games. The children were told to abstain completely for ten days and then
limit exposure to ten hours a week. Another group were not instructed
or limited-they served as the control group.
The amount of aggressive behavior was measured by classmates'
assessments. The study showed children with limited TV exposure were behaving
better. Researchers said the effects occurred throughout the sample, but
reductions in aggressive behavior were generally larger among children
who were more aggressive at the beginning of the study.
This study is published in the January, 2001 issue of
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
The American Medical Association, National Education Association
and YMCA are among 67 groups that will back the annual TV-Turnoff Week
April 23-29, according to TV-Turnoff Network campaign organizers. Campaign
supporters cite TV as a contributor to obesity, violence and poor academic
skills among today's youth. More information on the event is available
at www.tvturnoff.org or by calling 800-939-6737.
How Safe is Your Cell Phone?
A study, reported last month in the Journal of the
National Cancer Institute, finds no connection between the use of
cellular phones and an increased risk of cancer. Researcher with the Danish
Cancer Society and the International Epidemiology Institute looked at
more than 420,000 Danish cellular phone users between 1982 and 1995. They
found cell phone users were no more likely to have cancer than the general
population of Denmark.
Critics say the debate over cell phone safety remains
unresolved. They say it will be years before evidence of cancers associated
with cell phone use emerge.
Keeping Secrets
How much should you tell your doctor? A new study says
many us don't tell enough. A University of Florida study looked at women
over 65 in north central Florida. They found nearly half use herbal therapies
but they rarely inform their doctors or other health-care providers. Researchers
say because many of the women also take prescription and over-the-counter
medications, they are putting themselves at risk for dangerous drug interactions.
These researchers also reported that many of the women
admitting to using herbal products only reported about half of what they
took. The study suggests doctors change their forms to ask patients not
only what prescription medications they're taking, but also what over-the-counter
and herbal supplements they use.
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