Rapid weight gain during preschool years increases risk for obesity in adulthood

The prevalence of obesity and overweight people in the world is at an all time high with nearly 2 billion people over the age of 19 being overweight and 650 million people being classified as obese. Shockingly, in many countries overweight and obesity kill more people than being underweight. There are many risk factors that…

Exposure to second-hand smoke during childhood increases risk for COPD mortality in adulthood

Second-hand smoke is associated with many negative health outcomes for both children and adults. In children, second-hand smoke can cause era infections, more frequent and severe asthma exacerbations, and respiratory infections. As adults, exposure to second-hand smoke has been linked to heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke. In recent year second-hand smoke exposure has been…

Artificial sweeteners during pregnancy could cause infants to be overweight.

In 2013, 42 million infants and kids were overweight or obese and although recent data suggests that in Canada the rate is decreasing this is still a growing and problematic epidemic. The rise in obesity in kids is likely a combination of genetic factors, poor diet consisting of sugar sweetened drinks, in activity, and now…

Measles infection can wipe out your immune systems memory leaving you vulnerable to other infections

The measles virus is generally thought of as relatively harmless by most people even though it is one of the leading causes of death among young children. It can cause fever, cough, rash, and in young children or adults can result in pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Measles is 100% preventable with a safe…

Is autism a problem of too many connections in the brain?

Autism is a disorder characterized by impairments in social relationships, trouble communicating, behavioural problems, dependence upon a routine and others. Autism is not a single disease (like say cystic fibrosis) but instead is made up of a variety of disorders, like Asperger’s syndrome or Pervasive development disorder, which are collectively termed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD…

DNA damage from bad parenting?

It has been known for some time that people who come from families in disadvantaged environments are more prone to getting sick and ultimately dying from disease. What isn’t known is why these people are getting sick. Is it because they are exposed to more toxins or infectious agents? Or is their environment some how…