Are some video games leading children toward violence as well as health problems? A detailed special report in the Jan. 20 issue of Family Circle addresses that question and offers advice on protecting children. A study published last year found a direct link between increased youth aggression and the playing of video games with violent content, such as Grand Theft Auto III, Doom, Quake and Resident Evil.
David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis and the study’s author, surveyed more than 600 8th- and 9th-graders and found that most aggressive kids fell into the category of high-hostile, high-violent video game use.
Kids who play violent video games also may be at risk for long-term health problems, says Dr. Paul Lynch, an anesthesiology resident at New York University Medical Center. His research showed a marked increase in heart rate and blood pressure in adolescents who played such games for several hours, especially among kids who have high-hostile personalities. He says overweight, inactive children who are hyper-responsive may be at greater risk for heart disease.
To protect kids from being overwhelmed by video games, David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family, had these suggestions: limit playing time to an hour a day, be sure games are age appropriate and preview them for violence. Also, encourage games that allow for multiple players to avoid isolated play; and select games that encourage problem-solving and strategizing skills over “first person” shooter games.
Urge to eat rocks
People compelled to eat odd substances such as paper, chalk, cornstarch and even rocks may have an unusual dietary disorder known as pica. One in 100 women is affected, especially those who live in rural or poor areas and are African-American or Southern, notes a report in the January issue of Self.
Some experts believe the condition is linked to a mineral deficiency. Others link it to eating disorders. No matter the cause, the compulsion to eat such items should be addressed because it could be deadly, says Jeff Hampl, a dietitian in Arizona who has worked with women who have pica. Those who consume dirt and cigarette butts could increase their risk for certain cancers or expose themselves to pesticides and parasites.
Treatment for pica is available using nutritional supplements and behavioral therapy, says Dr. Edward Rose, associate residency director at the North Oakland Medical Centers in Pontiac, Mich. So rather than keeping your compulsion a secret, visit a physician.
Calcium, weight loss
If you’re overweight and can’t seem to lose the bulk, you may not be getting enough calcium in your diet. A feature in the Jan. 1 issue of Bottom Line Personal explains the connection.
When you get too little dietary calcium, your body releases the hormone calcitrol, which causes your fat cells to make and store more fat, leading to weight gain, says Michael Zemel, professor of nutrition and medicine and director of the Nutrition Institute, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Studies show that the higher your daily calcium intake (aim for 1,200 to 1,300 mg), the more body fat is lost, especially around the waist.
A Harvard University study also found that people who ate three servings of dairy daily had a 60 percent lower risk of being overweight than those who ingested less calcium.
It is best to get the calcium from foods rather than from supplements, say the experts. They recommend skim or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. In addition, if you have milk before your meal you will feel full sooner and also will eat less at your next meal.
