Published letters to the editor and more!
The following letters to the editor were written by pediatric residents from the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford during their Adolescent Medicine and Advocacy Rotation. Also included are audio recordings aired on KQED, and written responses to resident advocacy.
After SCHIP, What's Next ?
Feb. 5, 2009
PALO ALTO DAILY NEWS
Dec. 15, 2006
Dear Editor: As a pediatrician, I read with interest the recent article "Great junk food debate: Schools debate banishing sugary, fatty foods from lunchroom," (Nov. 15). The article provided good information regarding dietary options for kids at school, which is a pressing issue.
In this country, there is a very real crisis of pediatric obesity that is due to multiple factors, including inactivity and poor nutritional choices. Studies show that 15 percent to 20 percent of U.S. children 12 to 19 years old are overweight, numbers that have been steadily climbing. School is a great place to address this problem because of the amount of time children spend in school each year. I have treated several children in my clinic who regularly choose french fries, chips or sodas as their lunch at school. While educating students about healthier options is a wonderful start, more action is needed. Schools should eliminate or limit the availability of items like chips, sodas and other sugary or fatty foods.
Based on my own patients and experiences, I believe our nation's schools should take a larger role in the health of America's children. Given the growing crisis of childhood obesity, these steps are very important in the prevention of diseases that were once solely in adults, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Tragically, these conditions are now on the rise in our children.
Latasha N. Williams, M.D.,
Mountain View
PALO ALTO DAILY NEWS
Dec. 8, 2006
Kids and smoking
Dear Editor: As a pediatrician, I read with interest the letter to the editor "Smell the smoke-free air" on Tuesday. I would like to emphasize that cigarette smoke exposure has especially grave consequences for children's health, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks and infections, sudden infant death syndrome and the development of cancer later in life.
In my experience, children exposed to secondhand smoke require more emergency room visits and hospitalizations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants with smoking mothers are twice as likely to develop ear infections or pneumonia and are nearly 40 percent more likely to be hospitalized. Perhaps most important, smokers' homes contain two to three times the level of chemical irritants from cigarettes that cause illness, even when smoking is done "outside."
There is strong evidence that children exposed to secondhand smoke suffer serious, and preventable, consequences to their health. I hope that parents join our efforts to ensure smoke-free air for all children, both by quitting and by promoting public nonsmoking laws. By standing up for a child's health, you're saving your own health - and perhaps your life - as well.
Bronwyn Baz, M.D., pediatric resident,
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto
Nov. 24, 2006
More teen-only gyms needed
Editor:
As a pediatrician, I read with interest your Nov. 10 article, "Teen-friendly workout." The article presented an innovative concept that I feel should be expanded to other communities in the Bay Area. Pediatric and teenage obesity is a serious crisis in our country. Recent studies show that 15 to 20 percent of U.S. kids 12 to 19 years old are overweight, and these numbers continue to rise. Multiple factors play a part in this growing problem, especially the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of our kids. "Overtime Fitness," the teen-centered sports club in Mountain View, is a great concept that incorporates fun and physical activity in an environment that is safe and geared toward promoting healthy lifestyles in teens. However, this is an expensive option requiring initiation and monthly fees; many patients that I care for who are in need of this exact type of environment cannot afford it. Several of my patients are not offered physical education in school and also don't feel safe walking, running, or playing sports in their own neighborhoods. "Overtime Fitness" is an outstanding concept and should be expanded to neighborhoods that are underserved. Offering similar, more affordable programs such as this would greatly benefit the health of all Bay Area teens and play a critical role in helping us prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems associated with obesity.Latasha N. Williams, MD
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Oct. 27, 2006
As a pediatrician in Palo Alto, I am disturbed by the frequent advertisements on the TV by tobacco industry trying to obscure the debate on raising cigarette taxes by criticizing where the funding will go. It is intolerable to imagine the trend of cigarette smoking in teens and younger children, the impact on Californians' health if we do not take action immediately.
Just this month, as I spent more time discussing with adolescents on their smoking habits and the age when they first experimented cigarette smoking, I was shocked to find out how common it is and how tobacco has become a habit of children at younger and younger age! Currently, more than 15% of California's high school student smoke and the smoking rate of middle school students has almost doubled in the past two years. California kids buy or smoke nearly 60 million packs of cigarettes per year. Our young future leaders are investing their pocket money to something that will harm their health and cause approximately 180,000 deaths among themselves and their peers, 17yrs of age in the future, as a result of their smoking.
Not only Proposition 86 will protect the harm of tobacco smoking to our population, it helps fund critical health care priorities, like children(s1)(s6)s health insurance. This such a rare opportunity for us to do so much good with just one vote - vote YES ON PROP 86.
Juin Yee Kong, MD
Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto
Fixing the fitness gap
Editor,
I read with interest Alexandria Rocha's article "A new way for EPA kids to get their kicks" (Sept. 20). As a pediatrician serving the local community, I was excited to learn of the recently founded Ravenswood Youth Athletic Association (RYAA) and the success of the organization's first weekend of soccer games, with 400 children participating. According to recent information gathered by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, approximately 30 percent of East Palo Alto youth are overweight, consistent with the current epidemic among children. Potentially more concerning is that only five percent of youth in the Ravenswood City Elementary School District meet the California Department of Education Fitness Standards, compared to 33 percent in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties overall. My colleagues and I care for numerous overweight patients from East Palo Alto. While the treatment of these children is multi-faceted, increased physical activity remains a vital component. Indeed, pediatricians from Stanford developed a soccer league for East Palo Alto elementary students, and are active supporters of community-wide campaigns that promote healthy lifestyle changes and combat obesity, such as the "Get Fit EPA" initiative. Together with programs like the RYAA, we hope to help mitigate the fitness disparity between East Palo Alto's children and those in the surrounding area.Jonathan P. Palma, MD
Palo Alto, CA
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Dangerous trend
Editor -- As a pediatrician, I am concerned by the fact that the issue of performance-enhancing drugs cannot seem to leave the sports page. The Floyd Landis case is only among the latest examples of high-profile athletes using these drugs. Although anabolic steroid use is mainly visible in professional sports, we know that the problem is spreading into college and high school sports. Studies show a national user rate in high school students between 3 percent and 9 percent, and these rates are rising at an alarming rate. The health risks associated with steroid use in children and adolescents are severe and include stunted growth, liver damage, early heart disease, emotional disturbances and an increased propensity to commit violence and suicide. Professional athletes are role models for young people and strongly influence their behavior. We need "clean" athletes, who do not take performance-enhancing drugs or supplements, who publicly deplore the use of steroids and other synthetic drugs among today's youth, who advocate fair play and who protect the integrity of sports competition.
Palo Alto
Letter from Diane Feinstein
June 14, 2006
Dr. Bryan Kono
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
Dear Dr. Kono:
Thank you for contacting me in support of the Family Entertainment Protection Act. I appreciate hearing from you about indecent material in the media and entertainment industry.
In my lifetime, I have watched an increase in gratuitous violence and indecent sexually-explicit material in video games and the media as well as on television and the radio. I believe that some material is simply not appropriate for all audiences.
As a grandmother, I often worry about what my own grandchildren are exposed to in video games, television, movies and other forms of media. Federal regulations in this area and all others have developed through balancing two important principles:
protecting the well-being of minors while simultaneously following the constitutional protections afforded under the First Amendment. As legislation, such as the Federal Entertainment Protection Act, is introduced to address these issues, these will be my guiding principles. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind and will continue to work for legislation that addresses the problem.
Thank you again for writing. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Washington, DC staff at (202) 224-3841 or at http://feinstein.senate.gov.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
http://feinstein.senate.gov
KQED/NPR
Tuesday, May 16--KQED 88.5 FM
Where the American Dream Resides
Perspective by Bryan Kono, MD
April 23, 2006
Deter the jumpers
Editor -- As a pediatrician in the Bay Area, I have been following with interest the Golden Gate Bridge suicide-barrier debate. I am encouraged by the unanimous vote and community fundraising announced in the April 13 article, "Panel OKs funds for suicide barrier study." In the past month alone, I have counseled a half-dozen teens in the emergency room after suicide attempts and lost a family friend to suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. I cannot help but assume that a barrier would change the fate of some of the roughly 25 individuals who end their life each year with a fall from the Bay Area's most infamous structure. In an oft-sited 1978 study, 94 percent of those deterred from jumping did not subsequently commit suicide. In practice, I cannot ultimately control the health outcome of an individual, but that does not stop me from striving to do just that. It seems as a collective, we should take the same approach for suicide prevention. My thanks to the Psychiatric Foundation of Northern California and all those who have raised awareness and funds in pursuit of a solution.
Bryan Kono, MD
Palo Alto, CA
PALO ALTO DAILY NEWS
Nov. 30, 2005
As a pediatrician in Palo Alto I read with interest your article on “Kids fight fat with aid of emails”, November 29, page 42. The piece highlighted an innovative solution to the complex problem of childhood obesity, but I noted that the family of the girl featured in the article did not adopt healthy lifestyle together.
Childhood obesity is a problem that I encounter frequently in my clinic. Lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits are often not isolated to the child, but rather are a problem for the whole family. The American Obesity Association (AOA) believes that parents are the most important role models for children. A survey conducted by the AOA found that 61 percent of parents said that it would be either "not very difficult" or "not at all difficult" to change their eating and/or physical activity patterns if it would help prevent obesity in any of their children.
Based upon my experiences, I believe that creating a healthy eating environment and active environment for the whole family is the key to establishing healthy habits for children. I hope that the parents I encounter in my clinic and those reading this article understand the powerful influence that their own actions have on their children.
Heather Iezza, MD
Menlo Park, CA
Nov. 21, 2005
Parents can stop teen drug abuse
Your article, ``Reality check,'' (Nov. 17) regarding teen drinking in Palo Alto is a step in the right direction. However, alcohol is only one of the substances abused by adolescents. Many teens find it easier to obtain marijuana than alcohol, and a myth that driving while on marijuana is all right persists among teens. Even crystal methamphetamine and ``ecstasy'' are abused by local youth.
As a pediatric physician, I encourage parents to discuss drugs and alcohol with their children early. Just recently I spoke with a teenager who had stopped using marijuana eight months before because of a discussion with his mother. Parents have the greatest influence on kids' opinions on drugs, and discussing it early does not lead to curiosity or increased use.
Jon-Michael Castelli, MD
Palo Alto, CA
May 5, 2005
Students need healthier lunches
As a pediatrician, I appreciated the article you published last week on the Palo Alto school board considering hiring a more expensive food vendor in an effort to provide healthier food in schools. The rate of obesity in our country is rapidly rising, and studies show that a majority of children who are overweight will become obese adults. What kind of message are we giving our children when we offer them soda, chips, candy and high-fat lunches at a learning institution where they spend almost 40 hours a week? From a health prospective, more nutritious food is well worth the extra cost.
Nasha Nasim Saber, MD
Menlo Park, CA
