Sit Less, Kids and Teens Advised

Summary of Article:

Canadian children and teens should spend no more than two hours a day sitting and watching TV or playing video games, new guidelines say.  The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology followed up on January's physical activity guidelines saying that mounting evidence supports the need to limit sedentary behaviour as a health issue distinct from moving around more.  Studies from this group show that children and youth spend an average of 8.6 hours per day, or 62% of their walking hours being sedentary.  In an ideal day, the majority of time would be spent engaging in light intensity activity such as cooking, about 25% of the day sitting, and the rest of the day spent doing moderate-intensity activities like cycling and vigorous-intensity activities like playing hockey.  The new sedentary guidelines apply to school children who are between the ages 5-11 and youth ages between 12-17.  These guidelines suggest that you limit recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day and lower levels of sedentary time carry more health benefits, and limit motorized transport such as traveling by car or bus, extended sitting and time spent indoors throughout the day.  Following these guidelines can help children and teens maintain a healthy body weight, improve cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness, academic achievement, self-esteem, and social behaviours.

My Opinion of Article:

These guidelines are a good way for parents to influence kids into a more active lifestyle but I believe it will not stop children and youth  from doing this.  As days go by, technology is getting better and more advanced.  Unfortunately, this has caused society to get lazier because machines do stuff for us.  I also find it shocking how children and youth spend an average of 8.6 hours of day sitting and not moving.  This is a very high number and it makes you realize how much time of each day is wasted.  In order for these guidelines to have an effect on children and youth, parents are going to have to strictly moderate children's and youth's time indoors.  It is their job to make sure we have equal amount of time indoors and outdoors.  They need to show their children or youth how much you can do outside and take advantage of what nature has to offer.  I feel if parents can achieve this, children and youth lifestyle will change for the better and can do this through these guidelines.

E-cigarette Use Not Allowed on U.S Flights

Summary of Article:

The U.S Department of Transportation says that the use of smokeless electronic cigarettes on airplanes are prohibited and plans to issue an official ban this spring.  This was stated from a letter by the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood obtained by The Association Press.  E-cigarettes are plastic and metal devices that heat  liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker inhales.  A tiny light at the tip of the cigarette even "glows", making it appear like a real cigarette.  In the letter to Senator Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey, LaHood said the department has been informing airlines and the public that it interprets smoking regulations to include e-cigarettes.  Lautenburg, who wrote the 1987 law that banned smoking on airplanes, had asked transportation officials to clarify the rule. E-cigarette disturbers have praised the convenience of the smokeless cigarettes because they can be "smoked" anywhere where traditional cigarettes are not allowed.  "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice," Lautenburg said in an emailed statement.  The future of e-cigarettes is likely to be decided by the Food and Drum Administration and just last year, the FDA lost a court case last year after trying to treat e-cigarettes as drug-delivery devices.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe e-cigarettes are tremendously helpful for smokers and non-smokers.  It will help smokers quit and even though it is not great for you, it is better than smoking traditional cigarettes.  It is also helpful for people who don't smoke because they get to be free of smokers and second-hand smoke.  In regards to e-cigarettes not being allowed on planes, I totally agree with this.  Planes are originally smoke-free.  One of the advantages of e-cigarettes is that they are allowed in locations where traditional cigarettes are not.  Although this may be true, when you are on a plane you are travelling high up in the air and it can be extremely dangerous if a fire occurs.  We do not know all of the effects of e-cigarettes and even if we do, we shouldn't take any chances.  As Lautenburg said, "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice,".  Also, most plane rides are only a couple hours long.  If someone can't last without a smoke for that long and have to resort to e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes may make the addiction worse.  E-cigarettes should be no exception especially when it comes to things that can be dangerous such as plane rides.  I also believe we are very fortunate to have departments that look out for us and even things we don't think of dangers of.

Obama Has Quit Smoking, Wife says

Summary of Article:

President Barrack Obama has finally kicked his habit, says first lady (Michelle Obama).  "Yes he has", says the first lady when asked from reporters whether her husband had finally done what millions of Americans can't seem to do and quit smoking.  It has been almost a year since President Obama quit.  There are no details on when he quit or how he quit and our first lady says "he never smoked a lot" and she "never saw him light up".  Obama is known to have chewed nicotine gum to help and after his medical checkup as President last year, the White House physicician said that Obaba should stick with "smoking cessation efforts", the use of nicotine gum.  One in five adults in the United States or 46 million people still smoke and tens of millions more are regularly exposed to seconhandsmoke.  The rate of smoking has dropped dramatically in the United States since 1964 when the first surgeon general's report declared tobacco deadly.  The government had hoped to drop the smoking rate to 12% by last year.  This goal was not only not acheived but has been pushed to 2020.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is a very big step not just for Obama and his family, but for the United States of America and around the world.  Everyday lives are being taken from smoking or second-hand smoke and people are dying from a bad addiction.  It is time for our world to realize and put a stop to smoking so we can live our lives without dying unnecessarily.  People see Obama as a role model and leader.  He is a role model and leader from different aspects to different people.  Since Obama stopped smoking this is a big step for smokers and non-smokers.  Even though he is the President of the United States, he still is a regular, everyday person like ourselves.  He sends the message that he can overcome any obstacle if he puts his mind to it and makes people (especially smokers) say if he can do it, why can't we?

Multiple Heart Scans Linked With Cancer Risk

Summary of Article:

In Canada and in the U.S., physicians are increasingly order imaging tests and treatments using low-dose ionizing radiation in people with heart disease or suspected of having it.  This is because, according to Canadian doctors, "Cancer risks increases slightly or heart patients who get multiple imaging scans with low-dose radiation".  Today, newer tests such as CT angiography and isotope scans have replaced earlier exams that traditionally did not use radiation.  The association of cancer and radiation exposure is now coming to light and more aware to people.  Because of this, cardiologists caution that these procedures be carefully considered.  "We were able to show that exposure to radiation from cardiac imaging was associated with an increased risk of cancer in this patient population".  This study was looked at hospital data on 82,861 patients who had a heart attack in Quebec between April 1996 and March 2006, but no history of cancer.  Of this number, 77% had at least one cardiac procedure with low-dose ionizing radiation within one year of attack.

My Opinion of Article:

I both agree and disagree with this article.  I agree with this article because it is true that we should always be aware of the new technology we are using.  Although the new technology is faster or shows more data, it could end up harming your body in the long run.  Numbers prove that 77% of the study had at least one cardiac procedure with low-dose ionizing radiation within one year of attack.  This means that a over 3 quarters of the people in the study were not aware of a problem that was caused by multiple image scanning.  We need to let our patients know what the consequences are of multiple image scanning and the harms of radiation.  I believe if we have new technology, it should be safe and without radiation.  It is definitely possible and could save patients without harming them if they take multiple image scans.  Although it may seem doctors are making a big deal out of this situation, it is better than making no deal at all and not realizing the ways we are harming our bodies and lives.

Wal-Mart Canada to Open 40 Supercentres

Summary of Article:

Wal-Mart Canada plans to open 40 new supercentres in the coming year.  They say that this move could generate more than 9,200 store and construction jobs.  The retail giant says it will open the new Canadian supercentres.  These supercentres combine groceries and general merchandise under one roof.  This started on February 1, 2011.  Wal-Mart Canada says it will invest roughly $500 million Canadian in the expansion.  This will involve building new locations, and rennovating and relocating some existing stores.  No new locations for the new stores have been announced but the company says it will be introducing the extra-large stores in Manitoba and Quebec for the first time.  Wal-Mart has opened its first Canadian supercentre in Ontario in 2006, and the format has since expanded to Alberta, B.C and Saskatchewan.  There has been positive feedback from customers and encourage the expansion.  "Our customers tell us they appreciate our supercentre format and the convenient one-stop shopping experience it provides," Schutta said.  At the end of this month, Wal-mart will have 325 stores, including 124 supercentres.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe this is a huge leap for Wal-Mart and a great idea.  This will help expand Wal-Mart throughout Canada and not only by their regular stores, but supercentres as well.  If they were just adding stores, I would not agree so much with their plan of action.  However, since they are adding stores and supercentres, I fully agree with their plan of action.  Adding supercentres not only advertises all of Wal-Mart's products, but has more variety of products all under one roof.  I know personally, whenever I go to Wal-Mart, I get the stuff I need but have to go to another store to get my groceries.  This is simply because there are not enough supercentres.  When I do go to supercentres, it is a fast and easy purchase as all the things I need to buy that day are in one store.  I do not need to drive anywhere else.  Supercentres seem to have a positive impact and I believe it is key if Wal-Mart wants their expansion to be successful.

Heart Findings 'wake-up call' for Canadians

Summary of Article:

The Heart and Stroke Foundation warns that Canadian seem to be in denial about their "couch potato" lifestyle and how it is robbing them of high quality years of life. They suggest that many people are not tackling risk factors that they could manage and control. The Heart and Stroke report showed that 90% of Canadians rated themselves as healthy but in reality, at least 9 out of 10 have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation also reported that "If we don't take the time to invest our health with making the lifestyle change, it will have a long-term consequence that could just be deadly". Examples of the deadliness of bad health and seriousness of this reports come from example Brian Campkin. Brian Campkin came on a tennis court four years ago and was 46 at the time. He suddenly felt abnormally winded during the warm-up and his breath got shorter as the match went on. His wife finally convinced and insisted him to go see the family doctor. After he got his tests back, an angiogram showed three of Campkin's arteries clogged 100%, 99%, and 86 %. This is "living proof that something can show up that fast", says Brian Campkin. This was Brian's wake-up call and made him live his life healthier and more aware.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe that the Heart and Stroke Foundation is 100%, no doubt correct on this issue. Many people believe do not know the risks of not exercising or living a healthy lifestyle and this is not right. As said in the article, at least 9 out of 10 people have at least one risk factor of heart disease and stroke. This means most of the people in our lives will end up sick if we don't do anything about it. It is about time for our world to know the dangers if you don't live a healthy lifestyle and act on this situation. We can do this by letting people know the dangers and encourage them and ourselves to live a healthy lifestyle and make good decisions. It is best to do this before we actually get health problems like the example with Brian Campkin. He was fortunate enough to live and get a second chance, however, some of us may not be as lucky.

Enbridge Boosts Ontario Solar Network

Summary of Article:

Enbridge Inc. is adding another 20 megawatts of power to its network with the addition of two new Ontario solar energy projects from First Solar Inc. for about $90 million dollars. Enbridge Inc. says that these projects in Tilbury and Amherstburg will generate enough to supply annual power to the equivalent of 3,200 homes. On a side note, Calgary-based Enbridge had recently added a 80 megawatt solar project from First Solar in Sarnia, Ont. Al Monaco, Enbridge's president of green energy says, "Renewable energy is well positioned to meet a significant portion of increasing demand for electricity". Construction of the projects in Tilbury was completed in December and about 89,000 solar panels occupy 6.1 hectares of space. In Amherstburg, two separate facilities that are 70 kilometers away will begin construction in March. This project includes 244,000 solar panels on seven hectares. These two projects combined, will save 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This generated power will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under a 20-year agreement.

My Opinion of Article:

I think this is a great thing that Enbridge Inc. is doing. Not only does it save money, but also, it is a renewable resource that provides energy for homes. As stated in the article, the projects in Tilbury and Amherstburg will generate enough to supply annual power to 3,200 homes. This means that 3,200 homes will get the energy needed in their home, with no pollution to our Earth. As stated before, this will save 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This is a lot of carbon dioxide and now it can be used for something else. I believe if we become mostly dependant on solar networks, our Earth will become a greener environment, while saving money and providing energy for our homes at the same time. This is truly a big step in environmental preservation.