Wellness Center has information on family health, good eating

The Pan American Health Organization has designated April 7 as World Health Day and April 7-14 "Health of the America's Week." This year's theme is "Shape the Future of Life: Healthy Environments for Children." The focus of the event is to create safe, healthy environments for growing children at home, in school and in their communities.

The Laboratory's Wellness Center, part of Occupational Medicine (HSR-2), and the Positive Health Directions Program, has free information for Lab workers about family health and healthy eating. The booklets, "Family Health Matters," and "Cholesterol in Children: Healthy Eating is a Family Affair," can be obtained by calling the Wellness Center at 7-7166.

Children are more vulnerable to chemicals, pollutants and degraded environments due to their developing immune systems. The Environmental Protection Agency enforces the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, which sets tougher standards to protect infants and children from pesticide risks. The EPA Web page has a number of publications on protecting children from pesticide exposure.

The risk for environmentally-related health problems is not limited to developing countries. In the United States, 61 percent of poisoning cases occur in children under age 6; these cases also account for 16 percent of deaths from pesticides.

What can parents and child-care providers do? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has a list of health topics specific to infants and children. The list can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/health/nfantsmenu.htm online. Additionally, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has brochures, fact sheets and tips on poison prevention and emergency contact information.

Creating healthy environments for children also includes good nutrition and physical activity. An increasing number of children in the U.S. are at risk for high cholesterol and diabetes, problems usually associated with adulthood. Inactivity and poor eating habits are major culprits.

The booklet "Cholesterol in Children: Healthy Eating is a Family Affair," provides useful information on good nutrition for children.

-- Steve Sandoval

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