Giggles

Giggles Nutrition Cultivating healthy eating

In Politics Free flu vaccine safe

Baby Talk Newborn hygiene

In Medicine New gene linked to mental disability

Infographic Women’s health at a glance

2012 June issue

Editor’s Letter

Welcome to our June issue Australia This month in conjunction with Salt Awareness Week, we’re setting our eyes on nutrition with a feature spread on how we can engage children to cultivate healthy eating habits. Australia has seen an increase in the amount of processed foods we eat over the years, according to The Australian World Division of Salt and Health’s project manager, Dr Jacqui Webster. And if we add on the problem of food marketing targeting children, the risk of obesity and so many other related heart diseases increases just like that .So if you’re worried but clueless about nutritional diets, we’ve included a section on healthy food recipes that can taste the same as sugary sweet snacks to give you a head start.

Also, we’re proud to have Queenie as a guest writer for this month. She’s given us a story on the dos and don’ts of bathing newborns.

We’ve also got some interesting stories in health and politics this month.

WA has given the green light on the free flu vaccine for children. And the most recent gene mutation has been found to cause a new type of intellectual disability.

Thank you for supporting this magazine. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.

D

.

Demie Tan, Editor-In-Chief.

Production Services Art Director: Demie Tan Illustrator: Callum Shand

Contributing writer Queenie Sin

Photography Michelle Jones Ryan Mahoney David Bez Kidspot Australia

Editorial/Business Office 270 Joondalup Drive Joondalup WA 6027

Email me at editor@ecu.edu.au.

Follow me on Twitter at @DemieTan

Copyright ©2012 Edith Cowan University. All rights reserved. 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup WA 6027, Australia. Telephone (134) 328, ECU CRICOS 00279b. Printed at 73/138 Adelaide Terrace East Perth. This magazine is strictly for assignment purposes only and will not be reproduced in the future

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Cover Photo © [Wavebreak Media Ltd]/123RF.COM

In this issue

Nutrition is such an important aspect of growing up - 10

Newborn hygiene - 7

Genetic studies - 19

Monthly Highlights Diary dates - 4 Politics – 16 Find out what’s bothering our politicians these days.

Infographic | Women’s health at a glance - 18 Health and Medicine - 19

Flu vaccine is safe - 17

Legal Disclaimer This magazine –printed and web- is for general education purposes only. You should also be aware that health studies change constantly.

Therefore while we place strong emphasis on accuracy and detail, we are not liable for any advice or information you obtain through here.

And if you require attention, please do not use this magazine as a substitute for medical advice and diagnosis. Please seek out your personal GP or healthcare provider, as they are more likely to better assist you.

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Diary Dates

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Baby and Kids Market

June 3, 2012

The Baby and Kids Market is a chance for you to buy

Warwick Sports Centre

pre-loved furniture, prams, toys, clothes, books, and just

Lloyd Drive,

about anything else you’ll ever need for either a baby or a

Warwick, Perth, WA

child. Here are the locations and details for this month’s

Time: 9am - 12pm

Baby and Kids Market.

June 17, 2012

Eftpos cash-out available near market entry Cost: $3 entry / baby and children FREE

South Fremantle Senior High School Recreation Center, Annie Street, Beaconsfield, Perth, WA Time: 9am – 12pm

© Official Website

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AD

Diary Dates

© Michelle Jones

© www.rednoseday.com.au

Red Nose Day Put on your little red noses because it’s time for the annual Red Nose Day! It’s a special day dedicated to raising funds for SIDS and Kids. Both are dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood. It also supports bereaved families. The money raised from Red Nose Day will be used to provide vital services and programs to the Australian community.

Red Nose Day falls on June 29 – June 30, 2012.

Visit www.rednoseday.com.au for more information.

DES Week Thought to encourage healthier pregnancies, Diethylstilbestrol (DES) drug was prescribed to pregnant women. Now, these women and their children of that pregnancy suffer health risks, like cancer and reproductive problems. Des Action Australia encourages women that have taken the drug before to get a check up DES Awareness Week runs from June 1- June 7, 2012.

For more information, contact DES Action Australia

Clean up our act When it comes to creating a future for your children, loving planet Earth is just as important as placing them in a good school.

So why not organize a family outing on either World Environment Day or World Oceans Day. It could be a picnic in the park or even building sandcastles at the beach.

World Earth Day falls on June 5, 2012 World Oceans Day, on June 8, 2012

© Michelle Jones

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Baby Talk This month’s guest writer, Queenie Sin discovers the potential dangers behind bathing a newborn baby.

©[Alena Yakusheva]/123RF.COM

Bathing your newborn A Mothers Point of View Leonie Agustina said, “I was worried that her face touches the water, because water is not supposed to touch the baby’s ear, otherwise they will get ear infection. Eyes and nose is another important factor, as it will lead to vital issues. When I first shower my baby, I was really panic till I get nightmare every night, I dreamt that her whole head went into the water, she couldn’t breathe anymore and she is fainted. All I can say is I was really scared. Handling a bath for baby is not as easy as everyone think it is.”

Theodora Tan said, “I was traumatized when my baby girl was shivering as I was bathing her. I then checked the water temperature, the water was warm as it was supposed to be. I panicked, and realized the water level was too high for my baby. Water got into my baby ears which caused the shivers. I had to quickly wrap her up and sent her to the hospital. Learning the correct steps to learn how to bath a baby is really important as it will lead to many dangerous causes to babies.”

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Baby Talk

Temperature of water

And with a damp towel, gently wash the baby’s eyes, ears,

Senior Nurse at the King Edward Memorial Hospital,

index finger and middle finger to gently push in its ears as this

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Kathy How claims,

will prevent water getting into the ear.” “After that, gently

“there are various little factors which need to be of concern.

wipe the baby’s hair until it’s dry then continue to wash the

Once a mistake slips out of hand, many accidents occur”.

body. While washing the baby’s body, use your left arm to

“The average safe temperature of the water should be

secure the neck and your left hand to hold the body. Gently

40 degree Celsius. To quickly test the temperature of the

put you right hand on the baby’s bum and with care put the

water, use the underarms to feel if the water is

baby in the baby tub.

face, head and body. While washing the baby’s head, use your

slightly warm. If so, the water is at its best temperature.

Moving on to the baby’s back, carefully turn the baby over

The correct method is the safest method Ms. How claims, bathing a baby is not hard. “First, gently carry the baby on your arms then use your left palm to support the back of the baby’s head. Then, gently

using your right hand arm. The baby’s left hand will then be on your palms and its chest will be leaning on your arms.

With care, gently lean the baby forward and use your left hand to wash the back and bum. After that, gently carry the baby and wrap it around a big towel. Dry and lastly put on diapers for the baby.

hold the baby between your arms.

©[BlueOrange Studio]/123RF.COM

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Nutrition

Healthy Eating

© [Wavebreak Media Ltd]/123RF.COM

It’s a known fact that children do not

diet is important to ensure optimal

Over consumption of salt can lead to

like to eat healthy foods. While they’re

growth and development in children.

cardiovascular diseases. The Australian

all right with some types of fruits,

An over reliance of food that contain

Division of World Action on Salt and

vegetables are a big no-no in their

large amounts of saturated fats, sugar

Health (AWASH) says too much salt in

books. But, put a plate of fries in front

and salt combined with little intake of

childhood produces a serious rise in

of them and they’ll gobble it up within

fruits and vegetables can lead to negative blood pressure that progressively

minutes. The same goes for chips,

health effects such as obesity. And that

worsens with age. Dr Jacqui Webster,

chocolates and also soft drinks. But even in turn can be a whole new issue having

coordinator and project manager of

if that’s the case, it is no excuse to spoil

to do with social rejection.

AWASH believes children are eating as

children with unhealthy foods.

With that said, we’re old enough to

much processed foods as adults.

Yes, they’re young and will most

know the consequences of overeating

According to AWASH, the

probably throw tantrums but we’ve got

unhealthy foods so it’s up to us to

government’s Children’s Nutrition and

to resist giving them what they want for

make sure our children benefit

Physical Activity Survey suggested many

the sake of their health.

from our knowledge.

children are eating more than twice the

Vegetables and also fruits are an

Australia has seen an increase in the

important aspect of good nutrition.

number of processed foods over the

The National Health and Medical

years and these products are high in salt

Research Council states that a healthy

and should be avoided where possible.

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Nutrition suggested dietary target for salt each

Therefore it’s best to try and

day and are consuming far more salt

avoid both versions because

if compared to the government’s

coke has high sugar content and

recommended daily limits.

that means empty kilojoules.

“Some children are even consuming

Taking care of children’s health is

more than adults,” she said.

not an easy task to undertake.

Apart from that, Dr Webster has also

What children learn about and

named bread, as the biggest contributor

eat from an early age, they can

of salt and that could be a problem.

develop healthy habits for life.

Because according to her, there aren’t

There are a lot of factors to

many low salt breads being sold in

consider when trying to create

supermarkets.

a solid food menu that encompasses

And with the issue of food marketing

all the important food groups. So if

to children, it may be even more

you’re unsure of how to go about

difficult children to willingly maintain

changing your child’s eating habits,

healthy eating habits.

here are some hints to move you

For example, take a look at

in the right direction.

Family Roles Vic Health states good nutritional habits start at home because the ways in which parents consume foods will influence their children.

Establishing a healthy food diet involves the whole family and it’s a change of lifestyle that will benefit everyone. In other words, think of it as leadership by example because children are mostly influenced by actions and not words.

Coke and Diet Coke.

We shouldn’t feel Diet Coke is acceptable for children or adults.

The Cancer Council of Australia states that although diet coke does not contain sugar it does however contain artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners should not be consumed in large amounts and do not contribute to our diet.

© [Lev Dolgatshjov]/123RF.COM

Eating a range of healthy foods can enable children to get the best possible nutrition for growth …”

-Raising Children Network“

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Nutrition “There isn’t any point in pulling children aside and trying to talk sense to them because they’re still too young to understand,” said author and also child and adolescent psychologist Dr Darryl Cross.

And the more you push, the more likely children will retaliate.

You can also try to let your child help plan menus and cook together with you. “I’ve been trying to involve Jack in the kitchen to make food more fun and also try to eat with him more,” explained Jodie Thompson, mother and blogger of muddleupmumma.com

Bribery never works Bribery is the part where you tell children to eat their greens and they can have ice cream afterwards.

Nutrition Australia is against cultivating that habit.

According to the organization, bribery backfires

Image and recipe © www.kidspot.com.au

Banana Smoothie A perfect breakfast in a glass! Simply blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth  2 cups skim milk  2 bananas  1 tbsp. honey  1/2 cup plain yoghurt  1/2 tsp. cinnamon  6 ice cubes

all the time.

Children may consume healthy foods in order to obtain a reward, but it doesn't mean they will start to like the food.

Author of Parenting by Heart, Pinky McKay also has her concerns about the topic.

She admits bribery is a bit of a gray area and we have to be careful of how often we do it.

“You won’t want children to turn around one day and ask what will you give me if I do this?” she added. We'll probably be able to get away with it once or twice but it should never be for long term.

Such bribes can in fact also cause children to intensely dislike the food they are being bribed to eat. They’re more likely to show interest in the food they are rewarded with.

Image and recipe © www.kidspot.com.au

Peaches with crunchy muesli Simply combine all ingredients and spoon onto the peaches  8 peach halves in natural juice (drained)  200 grams Nestle Diet strawberry yoghurt  300 grams low-fat cottage cheese  80 grams of toasted muesli

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Nutrition So if they dislike vegetables, maybe they

Buttermilk Scones Recipe

will like fruit. Mrs. Thompson agrees

They’re quick to make and perfect to eat raspberry jam  3 cups self-raising flour  3 tbsp. caster sugar  80 grams of chopped butter  250ml of buttermilk

and feels her son loves pretty much all fruit but she’s still struggling to get him to eat vegetables. “I have tried hiding them in quiches, pasta sauces and also meatballs,” she said.



Less worry With that said, raising health aware children require time and guidance. We

sugar. Add the butter and use your finger tips to rub the butter into the flour. 



unhealthy eating habits. Developing children's attitudes toward healthy foods shouldn’t be a rushed process. At the end of the day, them having the knowledge and skills to make good judgment about healthy eating will

When the mix resembles bread crumbs, add the buttermilk. Stir with a flat-bladed knife until the mixture comes together.

shouldn’t have the mentality that children will grow out of their

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead just until dough is smooth.

Use your hand to pat the dough into a round 2cm deep.



Cut out the scones with a 5cm scone cutter and transfer to a lightly floured tray. Space less than a centimetre apart and brush the tops with extra buttermilk. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked through.

benefit their own children in the future.

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All Images and recipes © www.kidspot.com.au

In Politics

© Riana Lagarde

Bad salt The Australian Government is blaming the processed foods industry for Australia’s unhealthy lifestyle, especially when the industry is now forming a large part of the Australian diet. The effects of over consuming salt, according to the Australian World Division on Salt and Health, is that it

AD

can lead to many health diseases such as obesity and high blood pressure.

However Catherine King, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Aging said: “Many Australians do not realize that popular foods such as breads, pies and processed meats are some of the largest contributors of salt intake in Australia.” Mrs King is in support of the Health and Food Dialogue (FHD), a health initiative targeted at making healthy choices more accessible to Australians. Some of the FHD’s achievements included getting the bread and soup sector to reduce the amount of salt added in their products before 2013.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) is also in support of the FHD. According to Dr Geoffrey Annison, acting chief executive for the AFGC, the council had been advocating for the reduction of salt in processed foods for years. The ideal salt intake, according to the FHD is about 1(1/2) teaspoons per day.

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In Politics

Vaccine Fear The WA Government has announced there should be no cause for concerns about the safety of this year’s free flu vaccine, under the National Immunisation Program.

The call for reassurance came after concerns were being raised as to whether the 2010 flu vaccine that resulted in fever and convulsion in children were being used.

But Communicable Disease Control Director, Dr Paul Armstrong has confirmed that it isn’t.

He said: “That vaccine was not used to vaccinate

© Ryan Mahoney

young children in 2011 and will not be used this year either.”

Dr Armstrong also said that vaccination was the best protection against the flu virus. Therefore those eligible for the free vaccine are encouraged to get their vaccination as soon as possible.

Visit http://www.health.wa.gov.au for more information.

Birthing Women can now choose homebirth as a birthing method, according to WA Health’s new homebirth policy. Homebirth is defined as a planned event in which women choose to give birth at home through the help of midwives. WA Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Simon Towler said, “the policy sets out clear criteria and would help women make informed birthing choices.”

Some of the criteria included the medical and health status of the mother and also her family and social needs.

Mothers who have had a caesarean or were expecting multiple births would also not be eligible for homebirth.

It was still however not enough to convince the

© FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Australian Medical Association who have had concerns about the safety risks associated with the method. But Dr Towler reassured that if complications arise during a homebirth delivery, the mother would be required to go to a hospital. On top of that, midwives are now required to be registered practitioners.

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Women’s Health

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Women’s Health

Gene mutation Experts from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have discovered a gene that causes a new form of intellectual disability.

Intellectual disability is a condition that affects an individual’s thinking ability causing difficulties in performing daily tasks. It is often the cause of genetic mutation.

Dr. John Vincent, a senior scientist at the CAMH said his team discovered mutation in the gene NSUN2 among three mentally disabled sisters.

The discovery was made after studying the genes of a Pakistani family where three out of seven siblings were mentally disabled.

They suffered from muscle weakness and walking difficulties.

The study concluded the defective gene is recessive and it means that both parents must have the gene in order for their child to develop the disability.

The complete study is now available in the American Journal © [Renjith Krishnan]/123RF.COM

of Human Genetics.

Berry brain boost A new research from the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society suggest that eating strawberries and blueberries can keep our brains healthier. Conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Devore with Brigham and Women’ s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, elderly women can prolong their brainpower by up to 2.5 years if they consume berries full of flavonoids and antioxidants.

The only thing is, she cannot rule out the possibility the prolonged brainpower maybe due to lifestyle habits such as constant exercising.

© [Evgeny Karandaev]/123RF.COM

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Women’s Health

Helping India India has the biggest number of childhood deaths caused by diarrhea per year, according to a recent United Nations study. These deaths are primarily caused by the difficulties in getting medicine such as the Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) and Zinc. As a result of that, Mylan Laboratories in India has vowed to help increase access of these medicines to children across the country. The company has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Health Alliance as well as ©[Ruslan Olinchuk]/123RF.COM

the Clinton Health Access Initiative. On a global scale, the World Health Organization estimates that diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children.

Anlit’s Healthy Gummy Bears Anlit is a producer of healthcare supplements aimed at children.

The company has recently released two new products in the form of gummy bears.

The first product is called Sambucus Nigra. Extracts from this shrub can help boost the immune system against coughs, colds and infections.

Meanwhile the company’s second product is called Vitamin D and it is pretty self-explanatory. Vitamin D improves calcium absorption and is critical for building healthy bones and teeth.

© [Sergejs Rahunoks]/123RF.COM

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