Children increasingly medicated

More and more U.S. children are being given drugs to fight chronic conditions such as asthma and hyperactivity. From 2002 to 2005 prescriptions for medicines to treat type-2 diabetes doubled, asthma medications rose by more than 46 percent, medicines for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder increased by more than 40 percent and prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs were up by 15 percent. The report published in the November issue of Pediatrics said the increases could mean that chronic conditions are on the rise. The findings were based on insurance claims for 3.2 million children aged 5 to 19.

Bonnie - unfortunately, we have been watched this trend go the wrong way. Until parents make fundamental changes in what groceries they shop for and end the consistent caving in to their kid's dietary demands, these numbers will continue to rise. The only thing food manufacturers understand is the dollar. They go where the money goes. Parents need to make a monetary statement to choose healthier fare. The government can also play an influential role in guiding parents. While they have made baby steps, until the farm bill is fundamentally alters what are considered cash crops, we are only looking at cosmetic change. Educating the public about a balanced diet can only come when corn, wheat, milk, soy, and sugar take a lesser role in the Standard American Diet (SAD).