1 in 7 Americans rely on food stamps

An article on CNN discusses the current reality of poverty in the United States. With one in seven Americans on food stamps, the number of food stamp recipients has increased by 16% over the last year. The article includes a video that is entitled, "Unemployed, kids and an empty fridge." The short video shows participants of Witnesses to Hunger - which documents participants' struggles in food insecure environments. The video provides an eye-opening look at how three women struggle to ensure that their children are properly fed and sheltered.

Friday Roundup

Here is a listing of of articles of interest published within the last 7-10 days:

Health
1. Obesity traced to early eating habits, UPI.com, October 29, 2010
Brief Intro: Canadian researchers have found that food behaviors developed in early childhood may contribute to obesity. The study, published in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, suggests parents may be rewarding children for certain types of behavior. The research team recruited 1,730 4 and 5-year old Canadian children for the study.

2. Foodmakers pledge to fight obesity with clear package labels, Bloomberg.com, October 28, 2010
Brief Intro: The Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association announced a new voluntary labeling system. By developing a clear and easy to read label, it is hoped that it will help customer understanding and help parents and other shoppers identify and select products that contribute to a healthy diet, according to Ms. DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman.

Education
1. In sharp rise, 47 city schools may close over performance, NYTimes.com, October 28, 2010
Brief Intro: The New York City Department of Education said that up to 47 schools may be closed for poor performance. The schools face a potential "phase-out", which means that the schools will stop accepting students and loses one grade per year until it ceases to exist.

2. School Diversity: The problems with economic integration, Yahoo News (Time.com), October 28, 2010
Brief Intro: In an article by Andrew Rotherham, he discusses the challenges of economic integration in education. In his opinion, he says that the U.S. has spent decades bringing low-income children to good schools. He believes that it may be best to realize the limitations and practical constraints of these approaches.

Can too much screen time end up hurting kids?

British researchers studied more than 1,000 kids between the ages of 10-11. Over 7 days, the participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire that asked how long they spent in front of the TV and computer and asked questions about their emotional, behavioral and peer-related problems. The odds of significant psychological difficulties were about 60% higher for children spending more than 2 hours a day in front of either screen compared to kids who spent less time. The effect was seen regardless of sex, age, stage of puberty, or level of educational or economic deprivation.

You can read more on this article on MSNBC.com.

Friday Roundup - Current Awareness

Here is a listing of articles of interest published within the last 7-10 days:

Topic: Health
Healthiest state for kids? MSNBC.com/AP, 7/27/10
Brief Intro: "The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its report Tuesday on how the 50 states fared in 10 categories of children's health. Survey organizers said the numbers do not reflect the current economic downturn. The data were collected from 2000 to 2008, before most U.S. families were hit by the recession."

New insurance pool set up for Kansans with pre-existing conditions Kansascity.com/AP, 7/30/10

Brief Intro: "The state of Kansas is taking applications for a temporary insurance program that would offer coverage to those with pre-existing medical conditions who have not been able to find other insurance for six months or more."

New sensor brings fresh hope to diabeteics, Foodconsumer.org, 7/30/10

Brief Intro: "In the July 28, 2010 issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine, the article titled “Function of an Implanted Tissue Glucose Sensor for More than 1 Year in Animals” describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year

At the conclusion of human clinical trials and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, the device may be a welcome alternative for people with diabetes currently required to use finger sticks, and short-term needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days."


Topic: Immigration
Judge blocks controversial parts of Arizona law MSNBC.com, 7/28/10

Brief Intro: "The law will still take effect Thursday, but without many of the provisions that angered opponents — including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws. The judge also put on hold a part of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places."

U.S. senator Lindsey Graham: Deny citizenship to children of illegal immigrants Examiner.com, 7/30/10

Brief Intro: "Senator Lindsay Graham announced today that he has talked with other key senators about drafting an amendment to the Constitution that would deny citizenship to illegal immigrants' children born in the United States."

In Colorado, debate over program to check immigration history of the arrested New York Times, 7/29/10

Brief Intro: "Now, as Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. weighs whether to use Secure Communities, already in effect in 480 jurisdictions in 27 states, immigrant rights groups have been privately pushing him to reject the program. Critics say it promotes racial profiling by the local police and would undermine trust between immigrants and law enforcement, in a state that has particularly strict immigration laws."

First Lady and MLB join up to fight childhood obesity

The First Lady and Major League Baseball have joined forces to fight childhood obesity in the Let's Move Campaign. Hoping to reach a broader audience for the campaign, members of the MLB will participate in 30 public service announcements that feature players from different teams.

You can learn more about this partnership by clicking here to access the article.