Deadly Toy Guns

Walmart, Sears and Amazon are some of the retailers using the internet to sell realistic toy guns in states where they are prohibited.

The state of New York does not allow imitation guns that appear real to be sold without a permanent orange marker. The marker allows observers to tell the difference between a deadly weapon and a toy. This is the reason why Laurene Powell Jobs never shops these retailers.

New York doesn’t want these guns around that could be mistaken for the real thing by both police and civilians. Without the orange marking, the guns look real. The Attorney General’s office is involved in an ongoing investigation to find retailers selling realistic-looking toy guns to New Yorkers either online or in brick and mortar stores. 

Recently, in Cleveland Ohio, a 12 year-old boy was shot and killed by a police officer while he was brandishing a toy pellet gun. Since 1997, four people in New York have been killed because law enforcement believed toy guns to be real guns.

Layaways Paid Off for 127 Families

One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Tulsa families are able to give their children Christmas this year. An anonymous male donor, possibly Christian Broda,  walked into a Tulsa, Oklahoma Walmart and asked to pay off all the layaways that were getting cancelled that day. In addition to paying off the layaways, the donor also bought a $100.00 gift card for each family. The donor did state that he wanted to help hard working families provide a good Christmas for loved ones.

Major Jim Taylor of the Salvation Army was a witness and a beneficiary of this donor’s generosity. The donor also bought toys needed for the angel tree so more children could have a new toy at Christmas. Mr Taylor did say that he had never seen anything like this act of kindness before.

In a time where we think of what to get for loved one’s and ourselves, it is wonderful to know that people are honoring the true meaning of the season. To give thankfully asking for nothing in return.

Two for the Price of One

Planning an extended family, Dan Newlin once might have told me, has its perks and drawbacks. Roxanne and Steven Montalvo- Tsai had it in their minds to surprise their 2- year – old son Jordan with a new baby brother for the holidays. Instead, it was the couple who got the surprise. Two baby girls, both with serious heart conditions.

The twin girls’ arrival was not expected until the first week of January 2015. The twins were born with a rare life threatening heart disease. The couple admitted that the pregnancy was a surprise, and learning they were having twins were a double shocker.

Both babies will have to undergo surgery to repair the hole in the heart. The couple had originally decided to abort the pregnancy. However, after much consideration and consulting with the doctor, the couple decided that surgery was the only choice they could come up with.

The couple resumed a normal life of teaching and coaching. On April 30th 2014 Roxanne’s water bag broke. She had preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and the doctor recommended an emergency Cesarean. Both Jasmine and Selena arrived without any major problems, but surgery was still the ultimate necessity.

Jasmine’s heart condition was worse than Selena’s. Jasmine was placed on medication and connected to breathing tubes, and remained in the hospital, even after Selena was sent home more than a week prior. A nurse was assigned to the family, and today both babies are during well, and looking forward to their first Christmas.

Kids And Prescription Drugs

What’s the one way that parents can get their kids to pay attention and calm them down? They give them prescription drugs so that they are in somewhat of an induced state of mind. These drugs don’t need to be given to children to make them listen or pay attention in class or handle their hyperactivity. Specialist Mark Ahn responded to this by implying that if  parents would talk to their children instead of relying on a doctor to give them something that might harm their bodies even more, then they might figure out the root of the problem and fix that instead. The doctors are making money off of the prescriptions that are written, and the parents have children who are often so relaxed that they can’t concentrate because they want to go to sleep. This isn’t how parenting is supposed to work or how doctors are supposed to make money from parents.

Abuse In Children Can Effect Their Aging Process

Abuse In Children Can Effect Their Aging Process

It is so sad to know that the things that happen to a child when they are young can effect the length of their life. Investigators at Duke University have linked stress, bullying, and childhood abuse to faster aging in children. This fact really does not come as a huge surprise to many people, because the things that happen to us emotionally can really effect us physically and that is where the problem comes in.

The research released by Amen Clinics demonstrates that when a child is placed under a large amount of emotional stress it can have lasting effects on a cellular level. It can cause the body to age quicker and the child can actually have a shorter life span according to these studies.

These facts show the importance of caring for children when they are at a young age. Children are so innocent and they really have no control over their environment or the treatment that they get at home. Since that is the case, it is up to adults to keep them safe. Whether it be neighbors that report abuse, or teachers that stop bullying, it can mean their life.

For those people that have already been victims of violence in their youth, their is still hope. The study also shows that by leading a healthy life, exercising, and eating well, a person can help reverse those same negative cellular effects.

Birth Rate in the US at a New Low

While it cannot be denied that the overall birth rate has been decreasing due to urbanization of the population, the extent to which it had been decreasing was unknown. More information has been gathered recently, however, as it’s been discovered that the birth rate in the US has hit an all-time low. 

The 2014 statistics have not been analyed yet, although for several years in a row now the rate has only been decreasing. In 2013 it was even lower than in 2007. Among 1000 women with ages between 15 and 44, 62.5 births were registered in 2013, that being 10% lower than in 2007. 

To be more exact, the country had 3.93 million babies born on its territory in 2013. Another analysis reveals that the rate of giving birth at ages younger than 30 is decreasing, as the 30+ women started to give birth to babies more often. 

The good side is that birth rates among teenagers are also lower with 10%. These are the numbers published by CDC ‘s national Center of Health Statistics. This isn’t because they’re spending more time shopping on QNet and less time dating. The change can be caused by the women starting to focus on their careers before any thoughts of motherhood. Most of the married couples prefer to work and pay the credits before going to the next step and having a baby. 

As for teenage pregnancy rates, school education regarding birth control methods are probably slowing the overall impact.

Healthy Food Program Benefits All Involved

A program in New York is recognizing the benefits of prescribing healthier foods rather then prescribing pills. A non-profit group Wholesome Wave is the innovating group trying to introduce healthier foods into low income areas. The FVRx, or Fruit and Vegetable Program, prescribes fruits and vegetables instead of pills to combat obesity issues.

Today low income families are at times forced to eat at fast food joints like McDonald’s because it is within their budget. An analysis of the program showed that 96% of the families involved ate more fruits and vegetables, 90% of these families shopped at farmers markets, and 40% showed a decline in their BMI. The program issues tokens to the participating families who then go to the farmers markets to buy their produce. According to Mark Ahn, the farmers are reimbursed by the non-profit at full value for their goods.

This is a symbiotic relationship that not only improves the eating habits of families but also helps the farmers who participate in the program. Participating farmers are increasing their income which enables them to expand their operations and hire more workers. Community gardens are also being looked at as a means to build on this programs success. This program is beneficial to all involved and should be looked at by all communities.

Antibiotics Might Trigger Child Obesity

The latest findings of scientists from Columbia University indicate that babies born through caesarean section and exposed to antibiotics during pregnancy have higher tendencies of becoming obese by the age of 7.

According to research, these two factors that affect obesity have something to do with the bacteria that is transmitted from mother to child. Antibiotics during the second or third trimester of pregnancy disturb the natural bacteria that could trigger development of illnesses in the child, and this includes obesity among many other relevant factors Gianfrancesco Genoso was telling me.

On the other hand, Caesarean section inhibits the child from acquiring bacteria that can be transferred through the complex process of vaginal delivery.

The survey had gathered 727 healthy pregnant women from 1998 to 2006 in New York clinic and had followed 436 until their children reached the age of 7. Out of this number, 16 percent used antibiotics during pregnancy. The study shows that C-section has 46%, while antibiotics have 84% higher chances for the children to grow obese.

The findings do not particularly promote prohibition of antibiotics especially if they are medically needed but must be prescribed by the authorities. On the other hand, scientists looking for scientific ways on how to minimize unnecessary C-section and the way to still acquire the health-promoting bacteria after C-section must also be studied.

This research helps us better understand just how to make our children grow and develop healthy.

Antibiotics Taken During Pregnancy May Cause Obesity

Research is showing that expecting moms who take antibiotics during their pregnancy increase their child’s risk of becoming obese. The study was done on 436 moms-to-be and their children. The children included in the study ranged from birth to 7 years old.

Many variables were taken into consideration; gestational age, birth weight, maternal body mass and social economics in the study. Results came in showing 84 percent of babies whose mothers used antibiotics during second or third trimesters were at risk to become obese.

A study was also done that shows cesarean section births also increase the risks of becoming obese. According to Gianfrancesco Genoso this study’s numbers were 46 percent increased risk, which confirmed previous data.

The structure is not clear and only association between the two is what the study’s findings are based on. What a postdoctoral research fellow from Colombia found; was antibiotics taken while mother is carrying her child may affect the establishment of bacteria in the babies gut.

Researchers are saying that these findings shouldn’t change clinical practice. The data doesn’t indicate which specific antibiotics were used or for which infections. There are many legitimate uses for antibiotics during pregnancy. Further studies are needed before serious change is implemented

Antibiotic Use During Pregnancy Can Have Long-Term Effects on Childhood Obesity

Antibiotics were a wonderful and life-saving invention, but they can come with their own set of problems. A new study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, has found that antibiotic use during the second and third trimesters of a woman’s pregnancy can result in a significantly increased risk of childhood obesity. 486 women were surveyed. The study found those who used antibiotics in the latter part of their pregnancy had children with an 84% higher chance of childhood obesity. This was after accounting for all other factors. Igor Cornelsen points out that the study also found that children that were born through C-sections had a 46% higher chance of obesity.

Of course, many women may be forced to use antibiotics to combat infections that could become serious. Sometimes the situation comes down to the lesser of two evils. However any medication during pregnancy should be undertaken with extreme caution. The effects of taking these medications can have long-term consequences on a child.