Brookhaven Hospital: Mental Health Treatment for Behavioral Health Problems, Chemical Dependency, Eating Disorders, Brain Injuries, and Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 2:18 PM
posted by Michael Mason

Bad Health Habits Start Young

First, from a recent Medpage Today article:

Bad health habits that can shorten lives start young, researchers here reported.

"As adolescents become young adults, they are more likely to eat fast food, get no exercise, be obese, and smoke cigarettes," according to Kathleen Harris, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina.

Those behaviors are related to three leading causes of death - tobacco use, poor diet and physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption - Dr. Harris and colleagues reported in the January issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.

Disturbing news all by itself. Fortunately, there's a small bit of counteractive measures being put in place, according to the BBC. For the first time, soft drinkcompanies in Europe are going to stop targetting kids under 12, and it's already starting to have a positive effect:

"This is the first time ever that the major beverage producers in Europe come together to jointly define their commitments related to responsible sales and marketing practices, especially to children and schools," he explained.

As part of the proposals, Unesda members have undertaken to not to put "any marketing communication in printed media, websites or during broadcast programmes specifically aimed at children under the age of 12".

It also will "avoid any direct appeal to children under the age of 12 to persuade parents or other adults to buy beverages for them".

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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.

Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.

Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.

Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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