A new study indicates that 4 year olds who have a consistent bedtime enforced by parents perform better on tests of mental ability and development than those with a changing bedtime. A second finding of the study reinforced the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s recommendation that preschoolers get 11 hours of sleep per night. The study was conducted at a research institute in California. Read more.

You may have already learned that high fat foods can worsen the symptoms of asthma, but new research suggests that a Mediterranean-style diet can have the opposite effects. In a study of children from 20 countries conducted by researchers at Ulm University in Germany, children who frequently ate hamburgers were more likely to have asthma than those who ate a Mediterranean-style diet consisting of high volumes of fruits, vegetables, and fish.  This type of diet is high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent inflammation. Read more.

On July 23, the New Orleans City Council unanimously supported an ordinance to restrict tobacco sales near schools, churches, libraries, playgrounds, and residential areas. The ordinance does not affect existing businesses that sell tobacco; it limits new businesses from selling tobacco products within 300 feet of locations where children are often found in addition to residential neighborhoods. Advocates of the ordinance are confident that the policy will aide in efforts to prevent youth from developing life long tobacco addictions and help prevent tobacco companies from targeting child and young adults. Read more.