HEALTH
Bad behaviour of children ‘due to genes’
London: It’s not junk food or bad parents, children’s bad behaviour is down to their genes, says a new study, led by an Indian-origin researcher. Prof. Anita Thapar and colleagues at Cardiff University have carried out the study and found that the condition called Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is due to the complex genetic faults. ‘The Lancet’ journal reported. The study shows that around 16 per cent of children with ADHD have a glitch in their DNA, which means they have the wrong number of genes. The researchers believe that tests will eventually show that DNA glitches may account for up to 80 per cent of all cases. But, they warn that bad diet and poor upbringing might still make the condition worse. It suggests genetic problems linked to ADHD are also linked to other brain disorders, including schizophrenia.
Consuming junk food ‘harms brain health’
Apart from being responsible for the flab on body, processed food also harms behaviour and emotional health of children, suggests a new study. The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has linked diets high in these foods to a greater risk of behaviour and emotional problems, as well as double the risk of having ADHD.
The two studies are based on data from around 1800 WA adolescents from all backgrounds, whose health has been tracked by the institute since birth, showed that these problems were less among teens with a healthier style of eating. “We’re showing a significant relationship between what children eat and their brain function, yet it’s not being taken seriously,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted says Wendy Oddy, leader of nutrition studies at the institute as saying.
“We don’t have enough promotion of fruit and vegetables, but you can walk through a supermarket and see whole aisles devoted to sweets, soft drinks and refined breakfast cereals” said Oddy.
The research classified the children’s diets into two eating styles-a ‘healthy’ pattern high in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and fish, and a ‘western’ diet higher in saturated fat, refined sugar and salt, with more takeaway foods, confectionery, processed, fried and refined foods.
Omega 3 fats are an essential part of the nervous system and the theory is that when there’s not enough in the diet, brain function is affected.
Olive oil increases life expectancy
New Delhi: Olive oil helps prevent cancer and increases life expectancy, an official of the Indian Olive Association (IOA) has said, predicting that olive oil consumption in India would go up by 125 percent this year. “India has the highest number of patients suffering from cardiac disease. It is high time that a switch to more healthy oils like olive oil is made.” IOA president V.N. Dalmia said here. Speaking at the IOA annual session, he said that in 2009 India had imported 2,600 tonnes of olive oil and from January to June this year, India has already imported 2,950 tonnes. ‘Even the consumption of table olives, which is a favourite snack and a popular pizza topping is growing rapidly. It has a projected growth rate 174 percent. “Olive oil is considered the world’s healthiest oil. It has the highest number of antioxidants, amongst all oils, which help prevent cancer, especially breast cancer and increase life expectancy,” Dalmia added. Union health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, who also attended the session, said: “It is important that people are encouraged to use healthy oils and olive oil is well known for health benefits.”
London: It’s not junk food or bad parents, children’s bad behaviour is down to their genes, says a new study, led by an Indian-origin researcher. Prof. Anita Thapar and colleagues at Cardiff University have carried out the study and found that the condition called Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is due to the complex genetic faults. ‘The Lancet’ journal reported. The study shows that around 16 per cent of children with ADHD have a glitch in their DNA, which means they have the wrong number of genes. The researchers believe that tests will eventually show that DNA glitches may account for up to 80 per cent of all cases. But, they warn that bad diet and poor upbringing might still make the condition worse. It suggests genetic problems linked to ADHD are also linked to other brain disorders, including schizophrenia.
Consuming junk food ‘harms brain health’
Apart from being responsible for the flab on body, processed food also harms behaviour and emotional health of children, suggests a new study. The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has linked diets high in these foods to a greater risk of behaviour and emotional problems, as well as double the risk of having ADHD.
The two studies are based on data from around 1800 WA adolescents from all backgrounds, whose health has been tracked by the institute since birth, showed that these problems were less among teens with a healthier style of eating. “We’re showing a significant relationship between what children eat and their brain function, yet it’s not being taken seriously,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted says Wendy Oddy, leader of nutrition studies at the institute as saying.
“We don’t have enough promotion of fruit and vegetables, but you can walk through a supermarket and see whole aisles devoted to sweets, soft drinks and refined breakfast cereals” said Oddy.
The research classified the children’s diets into two eating styles-a ‘healthy’ pattern high in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and fish, and a ‘western’ diet higher in saturated fat, refined sugar and salt, with more takeaway foods, confectionery, processed, fried and refined foods.
Omega 3 fats are an essential part of the nervous system and the theory is that when there’s not enough in the diet, brain function is affected.
Olive oil increases life expectancy
New Delhi: Olive oil helps prevent cancer and increases life expectancy, an official of the Indian Olive Association (IOA) has said, predicting that olive oil consumption in India would go up by 125 percent this year. “India has the highest number of patients suffering from cardiac disease. It is high time that a switch to more healthy oils like olive oil is made.” IOA president V.N. Dalmia said here. Speaking at the IOA annual session, he said that in 2009 India had imported 2,600 tonnes of olive oil and from January to June this year, India has already imported 2,950 tonnes. ‘Even the consumption of table olives, which is a favourite snack and a popular pizza topping is growing rapidly. It has a projected growth rate 174 percent. “Olive oil is considered the world’s healthiest oil. It has the highest number of antioxidants, amongst all oils, which help prevent cancer, especially breast cancer and increase life expectancy,” Dalmia added. Union health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, who also attended the session, said: “It is important that people are encouraged to use healthy oils and olive oil is well known for health benefits.”
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