Fit kids

We should have been teaching our children basic personal hygiene procedures anyway - but with Swine flu we should make sure we all take simple precautions.

Sue O'Neill reviews Healing Touch for Children in which author and practitioner Mary Atkinson describes how to use and perform massage, reflexology and acupressure on children aged four to 12 years old.

The Foresight Report's findings show that if we do nothing nine out of ten of today's children will be overweight or obese by 2050 and at risk from type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The Change4Life movement is launching "eight behaviour changes" aimed at encouraging small manageable steps to help families eat well, move more and live longer.

Accidents and illnesses are no respecter of holidays so Which? has put together a guide to what’s available and where to access healthcare over the Christmas period.

Don’t let that “stuffed-up” feeling ruin your holiday – try a totally natural remedy which clears congestion and helps relieve colds and infections.

Dr Susan Blakeney, Optometric Adviser at The College of Optometrists, discusses the role tears play in keeping our eyes healthy and protected.

The free DVD, From Bump to Breastfeeding - following real mothers' stories to find out how, gives positive and practical information to encourage mums to breastfeed and help increase breastfeeding rates across the UK.

A new EU study carried out by David Ormerod Hearing Centres shows the stark facts of listening to really loud music through headphones while audiologist Heather Pitchford gives some useful advice to parents.

Recent studies in the US have shown that plastic containers can leach a harmful hormone-chemical  bisphenol A (BPA) which may cause heart disease and diabetes. The Mudpuppy from One Green Bottle limited is a safe alternative, writes Anne Coates.

All the power of the sea and its crystalline salt is brought to you in the SolRox Massage & Healing Therapy Stone - helping with anything from headaches to bruising - naturally. Anne Coates tested it on her own injuries!

According to the most recent figures 41 per cent of primary school kids are now driven to school. To improve their chances of more exercise and better health, leave the car at home and get the kids walking during Walk to School month - afterwards!

In response to a need for parents to be able to check that their children's weight is within the normal limits for age, gender and height, NHS Choices website has developed the Healthy Weight Calculator.

The national vaccination programme against cervical cancer, officially launched  by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, will offer protection to about 300,000 12 to 13 year-old girls each year.

Eyesight may be valued as one of the most important factors in a child’s development, but studies show that over a quarter of adults have never taken their child for an eye test.

Dr Jane Zuckerman, Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine, has put together a list of holiday first aid essentials we should all be packing this summer to help combat holiday health problems.

The charity Deafness Research UK has launched an innovative new road-show to remind young people of the risks they face to their hearing from prolonged listening to loud music on their MP3 players.

With so many books published about diet and nutrition it's sometimes hard to know what to believe. Patrick Holford is recognised as a leading expert in his field and Anne Coates unreservedly recommends his latest tome: Optimum Nutrition Made Easy.

According to a recent survey more than a third of parents don’t know the minimum SPF (sun protection factor) to use on children's skin.