Worry Proof MD

Co-Sleeping and Obesity

cnatterson — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:39:54 +0000

I don’t buy this. It’s a small study that relies upon parental reporting. Most data shows clearly that everyone gets a better night’s sleep when kids are in their own beds and not hogging the sheets in their parents’ bed. Not to mention that co-sleeping is a known risk factor for SIDS among infants.

Zinc and the Common Cold

cnatterson — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:33:06 +0000

TAKE NOTE! This study suggests that zinc shortens cold symptoms for adults but not for kids. It’s a good reminder that our children are not just mini versions of ourselves.

Let’s Get Physical

cnatterson — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:46:46 +0000

Here’s a clip from America Now, reminding you to get out of your chair and go exercise!

Pain Pill Popping Among Teens

cnatterson — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:40:13 +0000

I for one was surprised to read that pain pill abuse is starting young, peaking among 16-year olds. This is an eye-opening reminder that we need to teach our kids not just about abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, but prescription drugs as well.

Here She Goes Again

cnatterson — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:48:54 +0000

I cannot help myself! When an article comes out about sports and energy drinks, I feel compelled to post. I promise to be objective and post the benefits of these drinks too, that is if any are ever discovered…

You Are What You Eat… And Apparently You Are Where You Live, Too

cnatterson — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:00:15 +0000

This Time Magazine article summarizes a series of studies released this week looking at childhood obesity. Well summarized and worth a read.

Early Puberty?

cnatterson — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:37:26 +0000

For those of you who missed this in last weekend’s New York Times Magazine, here is an outstanding article on the shifting age of puberty in young girls. For those of you who aren’t going to click on the link and actually read it, here’s what I want to point out: YES the starting age of puberty is younger than when we were growing up but NO girls are not getting their periods significantly earlier. This means that the process of puberty is taking longer. Why? Well read on, and while you are at it take note of a couple of my friends from residency training who are experts in the field at UCSF and Kaiser Northern California…

The Bitter Truth About Sugar

cnatterson — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:12:31 +0000

Most parents think that sodas represent the biggest sugar source in their kids’ diet. They don’t. Parents also think their kids consume more sugar out of the home than in the home. Wrong again. Read more about how our children become over-sweetened.

Adults Are Just Big Kids

cnatterson — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:38:13 +0000

A beautiful (and short) essay about how adult patients might benefit from being treated like kids.

Fast Food Not Necessarily To Blame For Obesity

cnatterson — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:41:59 +0000

Obesity is related to what a person eats and how much that person eats but not necessarily to where a person eats. Fast food joints are bad for you, don’t get me wrong. But access to fast food doesn’t make a person fat. In fact, some studies show that fast food joints may be no worse than other restaurants…or even your own kitchen. The key is to make healthy choices everywhere you go, including the supermarket. Of course, often this is easier said than done.