kids (Page 3)

Hostile, angry children are three times more likely to grow up to have heart disease than calmer, happier kids. Researchers found that children with high scores on tests for hostility were more likely to have developed “metabolic syndrome” when they were re-tested three years later. Metabolic syndrome includes obesity, insulin resistance and high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease or diabetes–but the anger comes first. “The hostility seemed to precede metabolic syndrome,” says psychologist Kristen Salomon, who says this disease process starts very early in life.
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Hundreds of youngsters in seven states have broken out in a mysterious rash, and some investigators believe it may be caused by a new virus. ?We sat there itching and then it got all red and bumpy and then it started stinging. I put a paper towel on it so it wouldn?t burn that much,? says 8-year-old Samantha Makl, who went to the hospital to have her rash treated.

Students in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Oregon and Washington state are complaining about rashes on their faces, arms, legs and body. The red, itchy rash is more of an annoyance than a serious health threat, but it has temporarily closed down some schools. The rash usually goes away when the students leave school.
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In Hong Kong recently, a 9-year old boy fell 20 floors to his death after his heavy backpack pulled him over the safety rail of a building. Officials suspect the bag moved forward as the boy leaned over to look at something, pushing him over the railing.

Physicians say they are beginning to see symptoms of back problems in kids, caused by heavy backpacks. A study in the January issue of the journal Spine shows that carrying backpacks that weigh an average of 20 pounds is likely to cause back pain in children.
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