Provides a rationale for the significance of the study of early feeding and delineates major issues that require investigation. Includes a list of acquisition processes implicated in the development of food acceptance patterns. (RH)

A school-based cholesterol-reduction intervention for primary grade students in New York City public schools offered a workshop to teach those with high total serum cholesterol values to identify negative health consequences of high-fat diets. Results indicate that school-site cholesterol reduction interventions for high-risk individuals are…

Two studies examined preschoolers' physical activity patterns, through the use of wrist-mounted portable heart rate monitors, during structured and unstructured daily activity. Found that the children's heart rates were significantly higher during developmental movement sessions than during other day-care sessions or home activities, which were…

After discussing three recent reports that examined the effects on child health of using pesticides in produce, the article suggests effective measures for parents, schools, and communities to follow to provide families with safe food and a safe living environment. (SM)

Reports on teachers' responses to a hypothetical case study of an ethical dilemma occurring in an early childhood setting that concerned a child with a possibly contagious disease. Discusses the use of the National Association for the Education of Young Children's code of ethics to resolve problems in everyday practice. (TJQ)

Notes how the Childhood Immunization Initiative is building a system to sustain increases in immunization rates into the future. Discusses five elements of the Immunization Initiative: improvement in delivery services, monitoring, vaccine quality, cost, and federal commitment to supporting public health efforts and building a coordinated national…

A study found that children whose parents smoke are more likely to be smokers than children whose parents do not smoke. Maternal smoking has a stronger effect than paternal smoking on smoking by young adolescents, and has a stronger effect on daughters than on sons. Perceived peer smoking is an important determinant of a child smoking, especially…

To estimate the extent of childhood sexual abuse, questions were added to the 1993 Oregon Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students. Answers from students at 25 Oregon high schools indicated many students had experienced sexual abuse, and such students were more likely subsequently to have very high-risk health behaviors. (SM)

Surveys of adolescent alcohol abuse prevention task force members found that members who were more satisfied with the task force and lived in the community less time spent more time on task force work. Satisfaction was greater for those who perceived more personal and community influence on the task force. (SM)

Children with neurological impairments are prone to develop serious infection with anaerobic bacteria. The most common anaerobic infections are decubitus ulcers; gastrostomy site wound infections; pulmonary infections (aspiration pneumonia, lung abscesses, and tracheitis); and chronic suppurative otitis media. The unique microbiology of each of…

Paper expresses concern over the poor health of many Americans, anger that the situation is allowed to exist, and guilt that most people offer little remedy. Stresses the need for all Americans to commit to doing something with the belief that they can meaningfully improve their neighbors' health. (SM)

Investigated whether otitis media (OM), middle ear disease, affected toddlers' attention to language. Children were studied during a picture book-reading task at high- or low-quality day-care centers. Children with chronic OM in low-quality care showed the most negative effects on attention during episodes of OM; mothers rated children with…

This article discusses what is normal and what is not regarding sibling rivalry, jealousy, and squabbling, and it provides some guidance for parents on handling conflict. The article also discusses three major sources of sibling conflict (jealousy, being left alone together, and family trips) and offers suggestions for dealing with each case. (SM)

Reviews the research on cocaine use and its effect on newborns; examines the popular misconceptions, including the background of children who are exposed; and discusses interventions. The author concludes with a discussion about looking beyond prenatal drug exposure and focusing on the child. Studies looking at these children longitudinally are…

Ethical issues related to rights of children to participate fully in their own mental health treatment decisions are examined. Clarifies concepts of children's rights in relation to legal and psychological aspects, discusses Kitchener's theory and model of moral judgment, and proposes ethical standards for moral reasoning in counseling children.…