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Jamie’s healthy food comes to Qld
David Loftus
World renowned chef Jamie Oliver is bringing his Ministry of Food Challenge to Australia for the first time, with an Ipswich-based cooking centre and mobile truck visiting Queensland communities and schools to conduct demonstrations and cooking classes. Queensland Health says education about healthy eating is vital, with one in four children now either overweight or obese. Stats show Queensland kids don’t eat enough fruit and veggies (particularly as they get older), have too much sugar and fat, and not enough milk and dairy products. So sign up for a cooking class or become a volunteer at www.jamiesministryoffood.com
Two thumbs up for Triple Ps The findings of two independent European studies—Belgian and Dutch, show that The University of Queensland’s Triple P – Positive Parenting Program can treat childhood depression and tame out-ofcontrol teenagers. Researchers Professor Dirk Deboutte and Dr Inge Glazemakers found that providing parenting support to the mothers significantly improved the emotional states of their children, when compared to children receiving only standard psychiatric care. Fifty percent of children were found to have improved conduct and emotional problems.
SAY WHAT?
Spanish authorities are considering whether the family of a girl, 10, who recently gave birth should be allowed to retain custody of both mother and baby. Although under Spanish law, sex with a person under 13 years is considered child abuse, in this case the father is also a minor and the authorities don’t think they would be able to prosecute him. The tenyear-old’s mother, a Romanian Gypsy woman, says she’s delighted to have a new granddaughter and doesn’t understand why the birth has shocked anyone. 6
KiDs on tHe CoAst – FEBRUARY / MARCH 2011
Kate
to hit top spot
If previous trends are anything to go by, Royal Wedding fever will see Kate soar in popularity as a name for baby girls this year, according to new research. Aussie family history website Ancestry.com.au looked at 230 million birth and marriage records dating from 1837, and found that the names Victoria, Elizabeth, and Diana all enjoyed huge increases in popularity in the years corresponding to the weddings of British royals of the same name. With Kate Middleton set to marry Prince William, and Kate and its variations already popular, Prep classrooms look like being full of Kates in 2016!
BATTERIES CAN KILL Queensland doctors are warning parents to be extra vigilant this summer, the peak period for kids to be rushed to hospital after accidentally swallowing dangerous objects, including batteries, magnets, and fishing line sinkers. On average, between two or three children are rushed to Queensland Health emergency departments every day after having accidentally swallowed foreign objects. Particularly hazardous are the bright, shiny, button-shaped lithium batteries found in many Christmas toys and electronic devices. Last year, one-year-old Hunter Cheshire was lucky to survive after his windpipe and throat were partially eaten away by acid in the battery he accidentally swallowed.
GOTTA LOVE IT In a state-wide survey of over 450 business owners and staff by a local Queensland mum and business owner Vickie Johnson, an overwhelming 86% of respondents said Queensland was the best place in the country to live and work. Of those not originally from Queensland, most said it was our climate (31.8%) or lifestyle (36.1%) that brought them here. For more survey results, call O3 Office on 1300 014 000. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au