Backpack Flak

Today’s kids favor the backpack over any other means for transporting schoolbooks. Is a backpack safe for your child, or can it create back pain?

“Rates of low back pain in children are approaching those seen in adults,” says Stefano Negrini, an Italy-based researcher in an article published in the British medical journal The Lancet. “The lack of certified limits for backpack carrying is shortsighted.”

Negrini’s study found that over one-third of Italian schoolchildren carry more than thirty percent of their bodyweight at least once per week. The average backpack load equals twenty-two percent of bodyweight. A separate study has found that more than sixty percent of sixth-grade children have experienced lower-back pain on at least two occasions.

It is important to arrest back pain before it becomes chronic. Schools and parents should look at the impact of heavy backpacks on children’s health. If a parent feels that a child’s backpack is too heavy, the school should be alerted, and a locker or some other accommodation must be made for the child. There is no reason that a healthy child who exercises regularly should experience back pain. If your child complains of back pain, check the weight of her backpack; it may be the source.

Pomegranates Earn A Place in the Sun

Pomegranates are one of the seven fruits associated with the Land of Israel, and they are customarily eaten at the Rosh Hashanah meal. Lately their health benefits are being discovered. Pomegranates are high in flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Israeli researchers have found that they also contain phytoestrogens, the plant-based estrogens so important to postmenopausal women. Extracts are now being made from these lovely fruits, which rank between green tea and red wine in flavonoid level.

While fruit markets in Jewish neighborhoods do stock pomegranates before Rosh Hashanah, they can be hard to find the rest of the year.

$olving Money Problems

Q. What should be done if you cannot pay the minimum balance on your credit card?
A. The first thing to do is to notify your creditor in writing that you can no longer make the minimum payment. Next, you should close the account, so that you do not incur any new charges. Then work out a plan with the credit card company to repay the loan as quickly as you can.

Q. Whom can I call if my debts seem to be more than I can handle?
A. There are many consumer credit counseling organizations around to help guide you out of trouble. You can begin by contacting the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 888-288-3184. They will find someone to help you locally.

Q. Who can obtain a copy of my credit report?
A. The Fair Credit Reporting Act limits access to your credit report. The credit reporting agencies may turn over your credit report:
1. To anyone with a legitimate business who is involved in a business transaction involving you;
2. To anyone who will use the report for insurance purposes;
3. To anyone whom you give your written permission;
4. In response to a court order or a federal grand jury subpoena;
5. To anyone who is considering you for credit;
6. To anyone who is determining your eligibility for a government license or benefits.

Honey: Sweeter Than Sugar

Honey, that mainstay of Rosh Hashanah cooking, is by nature sweeter than sugar. The substitution ratio of honey for sugar is five to four. For example, if a recipe calls for one and a quarter cups of sugar, use only one cup of honey instead. You must also reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe, because honey contains water-attracting properties that tend to make baked goods moister.

Although honey and sugar are equal in calories, honey is believed to have many health benefits, so learning how to substitute honey for sugar will be a healthier choice for your family.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HONEY
Q. Does honey ever spoil?
A. Honey does not spoil. Do not refrigerate honey, because cold temperatures can hasten crystallization. It is best to store honey in a dry cupboard.

Q. If honey crystallizes, what can be done?
A. Due to the natural properties of honey, it has a tendency to granulate. Granulation does not affect the taste of the honey. The crystallization can be reversed by placing the honey jar in a pan of warm water and stirring until the crystals dissolve.

Q. What causes the foam seen on top of honey?
A. Foam is caused by the natural and harmless accumulation of air bubbles. It does not affect the taste or quality of the honey.

Frozen Fruits Score Healthy Points

As winter approaches and summer fruits that we love are no longer in season, substituting with a frozen variety is a healthy alternative to fresh. Contrary to popular opinion, in some cases frozen fruits (and vegetables) may be even more nutritious than the fresh versions. How can that be?

Fruits and vegetables that are frozen soon after picking often retain their nutrients better than those that have stayed in the produce bins for too long, or that have been sitting around in overheated transfer vehicles. So this winter, you can feel good about eating frozen fruits.

Antibacterial Products

Antibacterial products are the rage. Today we see hand soaps, face soaps, dish soaps, and various baby products that are labeled “antibacterial.”

Some experts believe that these products may do more harm than good. Some bacteria have protective properties; killing off these good bacteria may help promote resistant bacteria. According to the Journal of Biological Chemistry, as reported in Pediatrics for Parents, “Many soaps . . . contain the antibacterial agent triclosan. Triclosan interferes with a specific biological process inside the bacteria, leading to their death. However, since it works on the bacteria’s biochemical processing, the bacteria will find a way to become resistant to it.” Dr. Charles Rock, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, says: “We consider this to be a serious public health concern. . . . The ability of E. coli to acquire genetic resistance to triclosan and related compounds through mutations suggests that the widespread use of this drug will lead to the appearance of resistant organisms.”

It may be better to use plain old soap and water for washing. Ask your health professional.