Screen time affects kids metabolic health
A recent Danish study highlights the potential health risks linked to excessive screen time in children and teens. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen tracked over 1,000 participants aged 10 and 18 by monitoring their screen use and sleep habit. The goal…to examine connections between screen time and cardiometabolic health.
Results published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that children and young adults who spend more hours in front of phones, TVs, or other devices face higher risks of cardiometabolic conditions. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, all factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease or diabetes later in life.
Each additional hour of daily screen time was associated with a measurable increase in health risk. For example, a child spending three extra hours on screens could face up to half a standard deviation higher risk compared to peers with less screen exposure. According to lead researcher David Horner, these risks, when considered across an entire population, represent a significant shift in early cardiometabolic health that may extend into adulthood.
While experts continue to debate the extent of harm caused by screens, most agree that children and adolescents are more vulnerable than adults. The findings reinforce the importance of balancing screen use with physical activity and healthy sleep habits.
Source: Canadian Affairs News
Great need for inclusive childcare
While over half of Canadian children aged 0–5 attend non-parental child care there is limited data to track childcare for kids living with disabilities. To bridge this information gap, a recent Canadian study looked at 1,189 children with long-term conditions or disabilities across the 10 provinces to understand their participation and challenges in child care. The report emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive child care policies and highlights how barriers such as financial, accessibility and capacity, disproportionately affect children with disabilities and their families find: Participation: 45% attended centre-based care (e.g., daycare, preschool), 17% used family-based or relative care, and 38% received no regular non-parental care.
• Access difficulties: Nearly half of parents reported difficulty finding suitable child care, particularly those with children who have emotional or behavioural disabilities.
• Denied placements: About 10% of children with disabilities applying to child care were refused placement due to their condition.
As the first representative Canadian Survey to look into child care participation among children with disabilities the authors acknowledged limitations with level of responses and the fact that results aren’t truly comparative as children living without disabilities were excluded. These findings support further efforts under Canada’s Early Learning and Child Care Act, including past budget’s focus on accessible and inclusive child care. The study underscores the need for inclusive systems to support developmental and social outcomes for children with disabilities.
Source: Statistics Canada
Are girls getting their periods earlier?
Research from a large Apple- funded Women’s Health Study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the age of first menstruation has changed from 12.5 years. Today it’s around 11.9 years, with some girls body’s even beginning their adult transitions before age nine.
Experts claim that this earlier onset of puberty carries significant physical and emotional risks, including heightened chances of breast and endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, sexual harassment, and early pregnancy. And parents and influencers are calling for lifestyle adjustments along with reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, fragranced products and processed food. Advocates emphasize the need to eliminate culprits while promoting glass containers, clean eating and the cultivation of a “low tox” environment.
Medical experts acknowledge that minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals and supporting healthy eating is wise, but they also caution that overly restrictive diets can lead to disordered eating in teens. Many argue that relying solely on lifestyle changes misses the need for broader systemic solutions—like stricter environmental regulations and better public health policy.
Researchers also confirm that early puberty is a multifactorial issue tied to obesity, stress, genetics, and pollutants. They stress the need for further investigation, policy-level interventions, and they encourage parents to consult physicians if they suspect precocious puberty.
Source: Vox
