Atoms
BREAST FEEDING: DOES IT “PROTECT” AGAINST OBESITY?
One of the great strengths of the child health research community in the UK has been the various long term birth cohort studies. Few have been conducted in the US, although the NIH is currently considering and planning the “National Children’s Study” which will enroll 100 000 children around the U.S. and follow them from shortly after birth into adulthood. In a brief report from the Institute of Child Health in London, Parsons and colleagues suggest that the impact of breast feeding on increased body mass index diminishes at 33 years of age. Now that’s long term follow up. See page 793
MEASURING THE HEALTH OF BONES
Many adult diseases have their origins during childhood. The widespread use of inhaled corticosteroids has led to concerns about their long term impact on bone growth and mineralisation. In addition, other drugs and diseases may impact on the health of bones. Fewtrell, on behalf of the British Paediatric and Adolescent Bone Group, reviews bone densitometry in children as assessed by dual x ray absorptiometry. …
