Health

A recent study concerning child obesity will be published in the March issue of Pediatrics. While cause and effect is unclear, the study confirmed a correlation between obesity and amount of time spent watching TV, sleeping and having family dinners.

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We stumbled across this disturbing article in the Shanghai Daily:

"THERE has been a 10-fold increase in the number of children in the city hospitalized for cancer in the past decade, local medical experts said yesterday ..."

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This time of year can be extremely busy, with many people putting in over time and losing sleep in rush to meet Spring Festival deadlines. Tension and anxiety can begin to take their toll. Stress management techniques can help maintain productivity, keep you grounded and prevent burn outs. Here are some suggestions to help manage the mayhem:

1. Breathing exercises: Most of us tend to take shallow breaths, especially when we are under stress. Deep breathing not only tells or bodies to relax, but it also oxygenates the tissues. Try this exercise.

2. Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins which are the natural “feel good” chemicals in our body. It also helps us release tension, anger, and frustrations.

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Whether or not China produces truly organic produce is a hot topic among Beijing expats. Is it worth paying extra for tomatoes at Lohao City (Beijing's self-proclaimed organic supermarket)? And is Beijing's standards for organic and GM foods the same as that in our home countries?

A recent article in the Global Times claims that there is a double standard when it comes to the GM produce sold in China. Wang Weikang, director of Greenpeace's food and agriculture program, was quoted in the article as saying that Wal-Mart has made no moves to make their Chinese outlets GM free, though they have publicly stated that they will refuse GM products in their British stores.

If you're craving the organic section of your supermarket back home, it's worth questioning whether it was organic at all.

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As of late there has been a stomach flu going around (aka, viral gastroenteritis – in no way related to the seasonal flu). Have you or someone in your family been affected? It can be especially difficult when children are sick, but the only way to deal with this infection is to let nature run its course. Someone in my family fell ill recently and it was not fun. We used naturopathic medicine to make her feel better and she quickly recuperated. If you’re taking care of someone with the stomach flu, the most important thing to do is to ensure that they’re well hydrated. It can be tough with ongoing vomiting and diarrhea, but these simple treatments can really make a difference.

(If you want to read more about what the signs of dehydration are and when to see a doctor, click here)

First of all, a person with viral gastroenteritis needs to sleep – a lot! It’s important for the infected person to stay at home and rest.

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As someone who abides by the 5 second rule (or 10 seconds if it's chocolate), I got a kick out of this flow chart. Humor aside, I recommend browsing through the Fooducate website where we found this gem, for great health info.

We're all worried about the air we breathe, especially living in Beijing, but the good news is you can actually improve air quality at home simply with only three basic plants that can easily be found in local flower markets.

According to a report from the TED Talks 2009 conference, Kamal Meattle used research by NASA to find plants that produce enough fresh air even in an enclosed space with no windows. He tested this theory on a building in New Delhi, which he claims has subsequently been rated the healthiest building in Delhi by the Government of India.

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Richard Saint Cyr (better known in Beijing as Dr Richard) has gained a large following for his blog about medical and health issues in the capital – a subject of no small concern to locals and foreigners alike. We often refer to the good doctor's posts here on this site, so we though it was about time we sat down and talked with Dr Richard about about his background, life in Beijing and dealing with air pollution and the H1N1 virus.

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Ever wonder if your child is getting enough calcium? Kids need plenty of calcium to sustain the rapid growth of bones and teeth. It’s also important for muscle and brain function. Between the ages of 1 to 12 kids need between 800- 1300mg of calcium a day. A cup of milk contains about 300mg of the good stuff.
 
Calcium can be found in dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, but these aren’t the only sources – or the best sources for that matter. Lactose intolerance and the possible hormones in milk might be a deterrent for some. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds all contain calcium. Dark-green leafy vegetables like broccoli and kale are good sources, as well as asparagus and sea vegetables such as kelp. Dried fruits like figs, dates and raisins are also high in calcium. Unlike leafy greens, kids are usually quite happy eating almonds and raisins as a snack. High concentrations can also be found in sesame seeds. Hummus (a spread made with tahini and chickpeas) is very easy to prepare and packed with calcium. It makes a great dip that kids love.

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 As the temperature drops and the moisture levels plummet, we can do things to breathe easier and keep our skin hydrated.

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