Parental feeding practices significantly influence preschool children's eating patterns.

Researchers in Australia analyzed longitudinal questionnaire data completed by mothers of 2-4 year olds. After controlling for age, gender, maternal age, education and BMI, parental pressure to eat predicted decreased interest in new foods up to 12 months later. However, parental modeling of healthy eating predicted more interest in new foods and less picky eating. These eating practices did not predict body weight 12 months later, though.

PositiveTip: If you model healthy eating to your children, it will lead to better eating behaviors, even in preschoolers!

What do parents want from adolescent preventive care visits?

In a national survey, parents of children 9-17 years old were asked to indicate from a list of 18 topics which ones were "very important for the doctor to discuss" during preventive care visits. Here is how the parents responded:

1. Diet and nutrition (75%)
2. Exercise and sports (67%)
3. Physical changes of puberty (60%)
4. Drug use (55%)
5. Tobacco (52%)
6. Depression and suicide (51%)
7. Obesity (51%)

Parents of 16-17 year olds also wanted the physician to discuss sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy with their child. Given that 50% of 11th graders in the U.S. report they have already had sexual intercourse, this may be too little, too late.

A talk in time could save your your kids from much trouble...

CDC has surveyed the sexual health of young people--and the report is disturbing. Among the findings:

• Approximately 14% reported having had sexual intercourse before age 15.
• Twenty-five percent of females between 15 and 19, and nearly half of those between 20 and 24, had evidence of HPV infection.
• Only two thirds reported using condoms during their first intercourse.