Shock figures reveal that approximately half a million children below the age of 15 are suffering from liver disease. Child obesity has reached alarming levels, leading to signs of liver disease which are usually associated with alcohol abuse. Many of the children may eventually go on to have cirrhosis and some kids may need liver transplants.

Non alcoholic liver disease is caused by extreme levels of fat building up in the liver, resulting in poor liver function. The complication can lead to the development of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cirrhosis, which often has no symptoms until it is too late. The national clinical director for liver disease, Professor Martin Lombard described the rising levels of obesity as (more…)

David Cameron wrote an article for the Sunday Telegraph, in recognition of Father’s Day. In that article he criticised fathers who didn’t support their children either emotionally or financially, adding that absent fathers would face the consequences. The PM said:

It’s high time runaway dads were stigmatised and the full force of shame was heaped upon them.

After comparing absent fathers to drink-drivers, he went on to say that single mothers (more…)

Jamie Oliver has continued his Food Revolution in America, most recently tackling Los Angeles schools. As a result, flavoured milk has now been banned from the school menu. Jamie has been working with Los Angeles Unified School District to reduce (more…)

A six year old child who has had a stroke is just the latest in a number of children who are suffering as a result of child obesity. Another child who suffered a stroke was only eight years old. Shockingly, the number of children who are being treated in hospital as a result of obesity has risen alarmingly, with (more…)

Parents Darren aged 43 and Amanda 33, were shocked to receive a letter from health chiefs informing them that their son is overweight. Thomas Watkins weighs 3 st 10 lbs, and is an extremely active child. According to the NHS, measurements taken from Thomas as part of a national scheme taking measurements and height from all five year olds, indicate that he is overweight. The scheme use (more…)

Alice Pyne who has terminal cancer, has become a Twitter trend after writing a blog for her friends and family. Her mum encouraged Alice to create a ‘bucket list’ of things she wants to experience before she dies. The 15 year old has attracted worldwide attention as her bucket list became one of the most Tweeted subjects on the social media site.

Alice has been battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma for four years but the cancer is now taking it’s toll. Alice says: (more…)

Health authorities are issuing reminders to all parents to ensure their children have the recommended vaccinations, including MMR. Cases of measles have increased dramatically, with 334 cases in the initial quarter of 2011, a huge rise on the 33 cases seen in the first three months of 2010. It is thought that this increase may be linked to the epidemic (more…)

The battle for custody over the children of Kelsey and Camille Grammer is steaming ahead. Kelsey, star of Frasier and Cheers, has already filed for full custody but now Camille has filed for primary custody. The star of reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills, has said she will “fight for what’s best” for children Jude and Mason.

Camille has been very clear that she believes the kids should remain with her, providing consistency and stability in their life. She said:

I love my two children more than anything. I will fight for what’s best for them. For me, it’s important they have consistency and stability in their lives.

According to Larry Bilotta, family divorce expert, Camille is correct in her assumption that consistency is essential for children going through the divorce of their parents. Statistics show that a divorce is more devastating to a child than the death of a parent. Children from divorced homes also experience more psychological problems than a child who has experienced the death of a close family member.

Kids are fifty percent more likely to experience problems with their health than children who live with both parents. Research figures also show that a child who lives with both parents is likely to be 20 to 35 percent more healthy than children who come from a broken home.

The hearing for the custody of Jude and Mason is scheduled for 9th June 2011.

According to Dr Aric Sigman, a leading psychologist, the belief that allowing children and teenagers to have the odd glass of wine at home will encourage them to drink sensibly, is nonsense. A large number of parents encourage ‘sensible’ teenage drinking by serving a glass of wine with meals, or allowing the odd alcoholic drink. Many also believe that (more…)

According to a survey carried out for National Family Week, parents send an average of 600 texts per year to keep track of where their children are. The results of the survey show that technology plays a large part in parents being aware of where children are and what they are doing. Social media such as Facebook, and email are also used to keep in touch with friends and family members on a regular basis.

Up to 20 percent of parents said that the most effective method (more…)