Health
European youngsters encouraged to tuck into fruit
It’s time to take stock of “Fruitness enjoy it!” - the three-year project promoted and financed by CSO (Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli), the European Union and Agea to encourage fruit consumption among school-aged children in a number of EU member states. Schoolchildren are most exposed to foods with high fat and sugar content, and therefore at greatest risk of childhood obesity, a condition which affects around 5 million children between the ages of 5 and 18 worldwide.
The sore throat advice that’s hard to swallow
NHS Direct has seen a threefold rise in the number of calls about flu, colds and sore throats this winter, but the unwelcome news is that the majority of us will actually have to face the misery of at least two or three more cases this year.
Recession makes National Sickie Day a greater cause for concern
Post-Christmas blues, freezing weather and the long wait until summer, means today (Monday 2 February) is statistically the worst day for absenteeism. But this year's recession woes may make today's annual National Sickie Day the worst yet, according to research from Friends Provident.
Emperors’ health secret is out
It was once so rare that its use was reserved solely for Chinese emperors who revered it as the secret to youth, health and beauty. Today though Reishi is available around the world, but it appears the Emperors were onto something as new research shows the unusual mushroom has anti-aging properties and deserves its name as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’.
New site helps expectant mums who fear money issues
Nearly a third (31%) of first time expectant mums are more scared about not having enough money for their new baby than they are about physically giving birth, according to MoneyforMums.co.uk, a new financial website for mums.
Pregnant mums urged - apply now for £190 cash boost
Mums-to-be, with babies due on or after 6 April 2009, are being urged to apply now for the new £190 Health in Pregnancy Grant.
January 19th signals the end of our best laid plans
If you made a New Year's resolution this year, there's a one in three chance that by today you will have broken it. And despite the belt-tightening effects of the downturn, health related resolutions are more likely than money based ones to have gone down the pan by now. A new nationwide survey reveals that January 19th is the point at which our collective willpower reaches critical mass and goes bang.
50 is the new 40, but only if you are 45!
New research from Standard Life has revealed that 30% of the population think middle age hits between 46 and 50.
Today is the best date to set a New Year resolution
As the nation freezes and struggles to adapt going back to work, January 14th has been marked by experts as the date to set a New Year resolution. A survey conducted by probiotic experts Yakult revealed 15.5 million Brits are struggling to keep to their resolutions in the first two weeks of the year with 5 million admitting to failing altogether.
Mamma Mia – Brits gets a case of ‘Streep Throat’
With sing-along sensation, ‘Mamma Mia!’ topping the UK’s all-time DVD sales charts, the nation has ‘Voulez-vous-ed’ and ‘Waterloo-ed’ its way into 2009. The winter release, which was issued just five weeks ago, racked up enough sales over the Christmas period to become the first disc to sell more than five million DVDs in the UK, toppling the previous record held by ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl’.
Millions yet to mentally recover from festive break
Most people agree that Monday mornings present a major challenge in terms of getting our brains back into 'work mode' after the weekend - but today in particular is doubly difficult. As the second week of January begins, a new survey reveals that more than four million of us have yet to mentally recover from the festive party season, despite it being almost two weeks ago.
New initiative aims to combat child obesity
A new Government initiative is being launched this month to head off the UK’s snowballing child obesity epidemic. Without positive action, experts predict that by 2050, nine in ten of today’s children will be obese and at risk of serious diseases in their adult lives. Under the banner Change4Life, the Government is galvanising support from millions of people across the country.
New study reveals health risks for radiation workers
The risk of developing cancer among radiation workers increases with the dose of ionising radiation they are exposed to, according to a study by the Health Protection Agency published today in the British Journal of Cancer. The observed cancer risks are consistent with the international scientific consensus on radiation protection.
New screening test benefits mums-to-be in Yeovil
Mums-to-be are benefiting from a new screening service which is now available at Yeovil District Hospital. All mums who book for care in the ‘Best Performing’ maternity unit in Yeovil District Hospital’s Women’s Hospital are now offered the combined test, which was previously only offered privately, for screening Down’s Syndrome from their 11th week of pregnancy. This new combined test replaces the triple blood test.
Help in the high street for Taunton smokers
Taunton and Somerset smokers who want to quit the habit will have help in the High Street from this month, as the county’s first NHS Stop Smoking Shop opens in Taunton. It’s just one of the new ideas from Somerset’s NHS Stop Smoking Service to provide free and easy access to friendly, expert stop smoking advice and support for anyone ready and willing to quit.