While childhood obesity is a widespread problem, the children who are most at risk to develop this disabling condition are already those with fewer educational opportunities and lower income. Now an intervention using text messages helps to close this gap …

Childhood obesity rates keep rising, but a text based intervention can help. Read More »

Childhood obesity is a worldwide problem that keeps accelerating, with the kids most at risk from already disadvantaged groups. Now a study co-led by Johns Hopkins pediatrics expert Eliana Perrin shows that a comprehensive texting intervention helps, with kids whose …

Helping kids most at risk for obesity is possible, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

New parents are motivated people. That’s one observation from a new study co-led by Johns Hopkins pediatrics expert Eliana Perrin using a text-based intervention to prevent early childhood obesity. Perrin says parents both helped design the intervention and were participants. …

Parents were pivotal in the success of a study to prevent childhood obesity, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Can a texting intervention to parents of very young children prevent the development of obesity in their offspring? A study co-led by Johns Hopkins pediatrics expert Eliana Perrin shows the answer is yes. Perrin: We enrolled 900 kids. We did …

Getting to kids and parents very early in life may be key to preventing obesity, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Engaging parents in developing a host of text messages around healthy behaviors for infants and young children was pivotal to the success of a study showing it is possible to avoid childhood obesity. The study, co-led by Johns Hopkins pediatrics …

Parents are invaluable when it comes to avoiding childhood obesity, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

How can we stem the rising tide of childhood obesity? Start in infancy and engage parents personally. That’s the conclusion of a study co-led by Eliana Perrin, a pediatrics expert and study author, using a variety of text messages crafted …

Specific text messages to parents help slow down childhood obesity, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Obesity is a complex condition that all too often begins in childhood. Now a comprehensive program using educational materials and personalized text messages has been shown to enable parents to stave off the early development of obesity in their young …

What sorts of messages help parents prevent obesity in their young children? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

With about one in five children in the US falling into the obese range, trying to find a way to intervene effectively is top of mind for many pediatricians and public health experts. That’s because childhood obesity paves the way …

Can texting prevent obesity in young children? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Preventing obesity in young children is possible using a program of texting new parents, a study co-led by Johns Hopkins pediatrics expert Eliana Perrin has shown. All parents enrolled in the study received written information on sleep, diet, activity and …

A comprehensive text program can help prevent childhood obesity, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

H5N1 is shorthand for the strain of influenza that’s been worrying some public health experts this summer since being found in multiple herds of cows. Now at least two people have turned up positive with a slight variation on the …

What’s the best strategy for staying ahead of emerging flu strains? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »