Cholesterol and kids

Did you know some children can have high cholesterol? A study of more than 20,000 fifth-graders in West Virginia found that some children who didn’t meet the profile for high cholesterol from the government’s National Cholesterol Education Program nonetheless had elevated cholesterol levels and could benefit from medication or interventions to reduce their cholesterol levels.

We tell you what this means for your family and what you should be telling your child’s primary care physician. That means an up-to-date and accurate family history for risk factors associated with high cholesterol.

We’d also like to hear from you. What has it meant for your family’s lifestyle if your child has high cholesterol?

Bicycle safety requires helmet head and rider smarts

When I was a kid, I rode my bike all the time around the neighborhood and out on to the “big” local streets. I never gave a thought to bicycle helmets. Luckily, that ignorance has gone the way of the dodo bird. And thank goodness. Statistics show that apart from the automobile, bicycles are related to more childhood injuries than any other consumer product.

The increasing use of helmets by children is having a positive impact on the number of injuries sustained while bike riding. Cyclists under age 16 accounted for 13 percent of all cyclists killed and 25 percent of those injured in traffic crashes in 2008. By comparison, cyclists under age 16 accounted for 30 percent of all those killed and 44 percent of those injured 10 years before that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safe Kids USA says 75 percent of fatal head injuries among kids on bicycles could be prevented by wearing a helmet and wearing it properly. Helmet use can reduce head injury risk by 85 percent and severe brain injury by 85 percent, Safe Kids says. The same safety considerations apply to skateboarding and in-line skating. Don’t forget the padded safety equipment for those two activities.

But bicycle safety also depends on other factors, like rider “smarts”. Children’s Medical Center and the Consumer Products Safety Commission have this advice:

• Stop before riding into traffic from a driveway, sidewalk, parking lot or other street.

• Look left, right and left again to check for cars.

• If the road is clear, enter.

• Ride on the far right of the road, with traffic.

• Ride so cars can see you, wearing brightly colored clothes, especially at night.

• Obey all traffic signals and stop signs.

• Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left.

• Ride bicycles in single file.

• Look for uneven pavement or other surface problems.

Some of these same tips apply to when your child is out walking or is going to and from school on the bus. Watch this video for other safety tips in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Does your teen text while driving? She might as well be drunk

This blog is from Annemarie Campbell, an intern at Children's who will be a senior in college next year. Read what she has to say about teen driving and distractions.

Many teens live almost as demanding a lifestyle as their parents. So they might think it’s innocent and possible even helpful to send an email to a teacher, coach or parent while on the road. No problem, right? Well, the statistics say otherwise.

Statistics
In fact, using a cell phone while driving, even if it is hands-free, is comparable to having a blood alcohol level of .08% -- the legal limit. These findings are scary. And what is even scarier is that despite these statistics, American teens have yet to “put it down.”

That’s why organizations like the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are leading campaigns like “Put It Down!” that emphasize the downfalls of distracted driving.

Again, busy lifestyles and demanding education goals are among the top factors for distracted driving. Additionally, many teens use their cell phones as their sole means of communication. You might think that the problem would be solved with the use of Bluetooth, speakerphone, and other devices, but studies show distraction is still an issue. The cognitive diversion is enough to hinder a driver’s performance. According to the USDOT, driving while using a cell phone decreases the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.

And, other distractions lurk in our teens’ cars: talking to passengers, loud music, using a navigation system, and changing the song on the Mp3 player or iPod.

New technologies may offer answers
How can parents rest assured their teens are safe on the roads? While driving with their cell phone tucked away in a purse or pocket and limiting other diversions is the safest and most reliable method of insuring teens’ safety, there are other options.

For example, The Ford Motor Company has come out with a new technology – MyKey™. With this system, parents can program any key to automatically have certain features turned on when the key is inserted into the ignition. MyKey features include:
• Restricted top speed of 80 mph.
• Limited audio volume of 44 percent of total volume.
• Traction control system that limits tire spin.
• A speed alert indicator at 45, 55, or 65 mph.

Another option is called the Key2SafeDriving™ (K2SD. ) This device interacts with your teen’s smart phone and sends out a Bluetooth signal. When the key is in the ignition and the car is on, dialing out, answering a call or texting won’t work. The device sends calls straight to voice mail and automated text messages back stating the driver will respond when they reach their destination. The device allows teens to dial 911 as well as two pre-selected numbers.

What do you think – what is the best way to keep our teens focused on the road?