CatherineMom's Blog

A new study has found that children are more likely to be obese if their parents are stressed. The study, published in the Pediatric Obesity journal, found that children whose parents have high levels of stress are more likely to have a BMI higher than those whose parents have low levels of stress and gain weight 7% faster. It is not clear why there is a link between a parent’s stress levels and...

Experts recommend that children be given a routine vaccine to prevent the most common cause of gastroenteritis. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland have written new guidelines regarding the vaccination. They suggest that giving kids aged between six and 32 weeks the rotavirus vaccine will help cut the risk of the condition that affects the...

Hope for children who suffer from severe juvenile arthritis as new drug is approved. Juvenile arthritis is an incurable inflammatory joint condition that affects about 2,300 kids in Britain; coming on suddenly, the disease affects five or more joints, and cause stiffness, swelling, pain and limited movement. After 40 weeks of treatment with the drug RoActemra (tocilizumab), “two-thirds of those...

According to a new study, women who eat at least three pieces of fruit in the month before conceiving are less likely to suffer from complications in pregnancy. The study, which was conducted by scientists from King’s College London, found that certain lifestyle factors can help women to have a normal pregnancy. Beneficial factors such as increasing fruit intake, maintaining a healthy weight...

According to new research, tucking into your Brussels sprouts over the festive season can help you conceive. New studies show that 9% of all conceptions take place in the month of December, making it the most fertile time of year. While many may suggest this is due to the festive parties and increased amount of alcohol consumption, the traditional Christmas vegetable should not be overlooked...

According to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, babies under three months old who share a bed with their parents are at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). New recommendations insist that infants always sleep in their own bed to reduce the risk of cot death. Experts had previously only warned parents who smoke or those who had consumed alcohol not to share their bed with...

Patients with ovarian cancer are more likely to die in the UK and Ireland than anywhere else in Europe. According to research conducted by The Lancet Oncology, just 31% of women with the disease survived for five years compared to the 33.4% in poorer countries like Bulgaria and Lithuania. The Eurocare-5 study also compared survival rates for stomach, colon, lung, melanoma skin, breast, ovarian...

Many mums may already be aware of this, but a new study suggests that children are a greater distraction to drivers than using a mobile phone. The research, conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne, analysed car journeys taken by 12 families with kids aged between 1 and 8 years old over a three week period. Each trip was filmed by a camera and in 90 of the 92 car...

Mums and dads in the UK will be able to split 50 weeks of parental leave under new Government plans which come into effect in April 2015. British fathers, who were only entitled to two weeks off, will now officially be able to take parental leave. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was time to change the “Edwardian” rules that only mums could take time off while dads had to go back after...

According to Professor Kefah Mokbel, a surgeon at the private London Breast Clinic, all women over the age of 20 should take Vitamin D to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. The professor is urging Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to make the vitamin free on the NHS saying it will save 1,000 lives a year. Mokbel has already started handing them out to female patients at his private clinic...