Compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
SOFT DRINKS AND SCHOOLS
According to the World Health Organisation, consumption of soft drinks has increased over the past 20 years with 63 per cent of Irish children having at least one soft drink daily. With each 330ml can containing 150kcals and the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar, soft drinks are bad for children's health. As this problem is worldwide we would do well to follow the advice of the American Academy of Paediatrics which has recommended sweetened drinks should be eliminated from schools and that consumption of soft drinks should not be allowed in the classroom.
CIRCUMCISION EXPERT GROUP
Following recent controversy about the availability of circumcision in the Republic, the Department of Health & Children has appointed Prof Denis Gill, consultant paediatrician and professor of paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, to chair an expert group to draw up recommendations on the issue of circumcision. The group will consult with religious groups and other bodies with an interest in circumcision and hopes to report in 3-6 months time.
PARENTING AFTER SEPARATION
Parenting children following marital break-up can be both intellectually challenging and emotionally draining. The MRCS counselling service is running a course on "post-separtion parenting" over three Monday nights, starting on February 2nd at 7.30 p.m. Following this, the issues faced by step-parents will be looked at over three Monday nights, starting on February 23rd. Full details from the Marriage & Relationships Counselling Service, 38 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin. Tel:
01 6443901. email mrcs@eircom.net
LESSON FROM HANDS OF DOOM
Nine out of 10 students don't know how to wash their hands properly, according to Safefood, the Food Safety Board. Almost one third of students tested at the recent Esat BT Young Scientisit Exhibition had to wash their hands three times before germs were thoroughly eliminated from their hands. Now Safefood has developed a fun way of spreading the hygiene message to children through drama. Free kits containing scripts, performance notes and classroom worksheets for The Hands of Doom story are available to all primary schools. Tel:021 2304100 or 1850 404567. See also www.safefoodonline.com
JACUZZI READINGS
People suffering from hypertension - high blood pressure - who use leisure centres will be aware of the prominent warning to seek medical advice before using a jacuzzi or hot tub. However, a study which looked ar 21 patients with stable high blood pressure who were immersed in a hot tub for 10 minutes, found that their blood pressure actually went down. The drop in pressure was found to be no more than that recorded in a separate group of people who had normal blood pressure. Although heart rate rose in both groups, blood pressure readings returned to normal within 10 minutes of the participants getting out of the tub.
MIDLIFE AND BEYOND
A youth-focused culture fails to provide rites of passage to support transitions into life's later stages, argues psychotherapist Peter Layanyi. He will lead an evening course entitled, Making Sense of Midlife and Beyond, starting on Thursday at 7.30 p.m. in the New Park Adult Education Centre, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Booking on tel: 01 2884376.