Changing clocks back stops outdoor play, researchers say.
Not changing the clocks back would help in the fight against childhood obesity by giving kids more opportunities to play outdoors, a new survey suggests.
Researchers say this strengthens the public health argument for the proposed changes to daylight savings, which would see clocks put forward by an extra hour all year ... Continue reading
The discovery of an excess of brain cells in autistic children could help to improve treatment of the condition, suggests a new study
Evidence suggests a distinct difference between the brains of autistic children and the brains of children without the condition.
It seems that autistic children have about 67% more nerve cells in a part of the brain known as the prefrontal cortext, says a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical ... Continue reading
Children who don't get enough zinc in their diets may be at a higher risk of developing autism, according to new research
A recent study in Tokyo has revealed that children who have low levels of zinc may have more chance of developing autism, although British experts are sceptical about the findings.
The study, in which researchers measured the levels of zinc in the hair of children who had autism and related conditions, such ... Continue reading
Popular children’s breakfast cereals to combat rickets by adding extra vitamin D
Coco Pops and Rice Krispies will soon be packed with additional vitamin D, as breakfast giant Kellogg’s aims to reduce rickets in young children.
Kellogg’s is planning to have added vitamin D in most of its children’s cereals by the end of 2012, after a survey of paediatric dietitians revealed that 82% ... Continue reading
Parents in South London are refusing to pay for school meals after prices increased by 14%, new figures suggest
The number of pupils opting for a hot school lunch has dropped in one South London borough, following a 14% price increase.
Lewisham Council increased the price of meals in the borough's primary schools by 20p a day to £1.60 in April.
The council said it could make £40,000 less than expected, after ... Continue reading
Every hour spent outdoors can reduce a child's chance of becoming short-sighted by 2%, say researchers
Fresh air and outdoor play has long been seen as good for kids, but research has revealed that spending time outside may also protect their eyes.Experts from the University of Cambridge have found that children who are shortsighted spend an average of 3.7 fewer hours a week outside compared ... Continue reading
The London borough of Brent is to lose six libraries after a High Court rules against campaigners.
Expenditure cuts in the public sector may be on the rise, but so is children’s use of libraries.
“Children’s use libraries has increased every year for the past six years,” said author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, writing in The Sun.
As children become increasingly focused on technology; playing with ... Continue reading
Parents are being urged to make their children get out of their pushchairs and walk in a bid to stop them from becoming overweight.
As child obesity continues to rise, ministers and town hall chiefs are advising parents to stop using pushchairs on small journeys and encourage children as young as 3 to walk.
“ We have to acknowledge childhood obesity is a growing problem. While local authorities have a party to play it is ultimately ... Continue reading
The famous children's programme had its YouTube channel hacked and replaced with x-rated scenes
Sesame Street's YouTube channel was forced to temporarily shut down after hackers filled the streaming with x-rated sex scenes, which were available for 20 minutes until bosses realised they had a problem.
Children expecting to see their favourite characters, such as Elmo, Big Bird and Bert and Ernie, were instead greeted with ... Continue reading
Kids’ football league match results changed in case the losers are upset
Bosses in a children’s football league have started to publish altered match results, to spare the losers’ embarrassment. Defeats are now recorded as 1-0 no matter how many goals a team lost by. Draws are now represented as 1-1.
“It’s crazy,” said one dad. “Kids need to learn about winning and losing. ... Continue reading
