# data[].attributes.body
This physical health article from CNN talks about the importance of walking as exercise. It explains that walking could lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, and your risk decreases even more the faster you walk. There was a study that showed that a “brisk/striding walk” had a 39% reduction risk for type 2 diabetes. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can discuss the importance of physical exercise and how it relates to long lasting health.

Rogers, K. (2023, November 29). Walking pace could impact diabetes risk, study finds. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/28/health/walking-speed-lowers-diabetes-risk-wellness/index.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Walking pace could impact diabetes risk, study finds | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Walking at a certain pace is linked to a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study has found.

# data[].attributes.body
This mental and emotional health article from NBC news discusses how online racism is linked to PTSD symptoms for Black youth. The article explains how a study found that the suicide rate in Black children and teens increased in extreme amount and how online racism may play a role. The need for providing safer spaces for Black teens was also talked about in the article. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can discuss cyberbullying and the extreme effects it has on mental and emotional health.

Bellamy, C. (2024, January 5). Online racism is linked to PTSD symptoms in black youth, study finds. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/online-racism-linked-ptsd-symptoms-black-youth-study-finds-rcna132369

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mounting evidence shows the devastating toll online racism takes on Black youth.

According to a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, Black children and teens who experience racial discrimination online may develop symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Those PTSD symptoms, the researchers found, were also potentially linked to suicidal thoughts.

The suicide rates of Black youth have risen over the past two decades, said study co-author Ashley Denise Maxie-Moreman, PhD, a pediatric clinical psychologist at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

A 2023 report from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that from 2007 to 2020, the suicide rate in Black children and teens ages 10 to 17 increased by 144% - the fastest increase compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

The researchers suspected that online racism might play a role in suicide risk.

"We know that cyberbullying is an issue for all kiddos," Maxie-Moreman said. "But in particular, for our Black youth, cyberbullying in the form of online racial discrimination is a really big issue."

The new study included data from 525 Black children and teens, ages 11 to 19, collected in late 2020. The researchers looked at online racial discrimination directed specifically to an individual, such as a racist meme or messaging. (A separate study, in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, found that Black teens reported experiencing an average of five instances of racial discrimination per day.)

In response to online racism, the children and teens in the study reported several symptoms of PTSD, Maxie-Moreman said, including feeling on guard and isolated, having intrusive thoughts that won't go away, and uncontrollable distress.

The researchers found that children and teens who experienced racism online were more likely to report PTSD symptoms, and that those who developed PTSD symptoms were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. However, they didn't find that experiencing online racism directly led to an increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts. Maxie-Moreman said a larger study could help uncover whether there is a direct link between the two.

Dr. Kevin Simon, Boston's first chief behavioral health officer and a pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital, said symptoms of PTSD can often overlap with symptoms of depression, both of which are linked to suicidal thoughts. These include feelings of irritability, having a negative mood, poor sleep, detachment from others and individuals not wanting to enjoy activities they once enjoyed, said Simon, who was not involved with the new research.

The psychological effects of pervasive racism

Other experts agreed that the new findings underscore just how harmful experiencing racism - both online and offline - can be to Black youth.

Michael Lindsey, the Dean and Paulette Goddard professor of social work at the New York University Silver School of Social Work, said that witnessing the evidence of harm being done to Black people either by law enforcement or vigilantes can create a sense of "helplessness or hopelessness" in Black adolescents about their future. The exposure can also influence their mental health long term, leading them further into depression or by making them anxious.

Black adolescents may also experience hypervigilance - a state of high alert - if they had an encounter either online or in the real world that had a "debilitating impact on them," Lindsey said. Other incidents that may prove harmful to a Black child's psyche include family disruptions and dislocation along with food and housing insecurities, he added.

Dr. Amanda Calhoun, chief resident of Yale University's Albert J. Solnit integrated adult/child psychiatry program, said the high rates of suicide in Black children and teens stem from offline factors fueled by anti-Black racism, including adultification, criminalization and the success of punishment on Black children. Calhoun also said that racial discrimination can be harmful for pregnant Black women and can result in low birth weights for infants, which puts babies more at risk for developing mental health issues in childhood and adulthood.

"I really think a primary driver of the declining mental health that we're seeing in Black children are experiences of anti-Black racism," Calhoun said, adding that "there is little to no standardized training in how do you help Black children to navigate being a Black child in America and experiencing racism."

Providing a community of support

The study authors wrote that online platforms should be aware of the associations between online racial discrimination, PTSD and suicidal ideation and create safer spaces for Black teens. Some of those regulatory actions include proactive monitoring and reduction of hate speech, Maxie-Moreman said.

"It's really scary to think that our Black youth could be having suicidal thoughts because of racist comments or racist memes or racist messages or racist chat groups that they are being exposed to online," she said.

Experts who spoke to NBC News said that there are several approaches that can be taken to help Black youth.

This includes parents having an open dialogue with their children about the negative experiences they have online, at school or in their friend groups, Lindsey said.

Schoolteachers and social workers are also important in connecting Black youth to mental health services.

"Social workers are the largest provider of mental health services," Lindsey said. "So, we need more school social workers and they can be incredibly helpful to ensuring that kids are being identified early when there is a challenge and connected to support from services early and often."

Calhoun cautioned that some therapy approaches may be ineffective for Black children and teens dealing with racism. One example she gave was cognitive behavioral therapy, which is used to challenge distorted thinking, or mental filters or biases that make individuals have negative feelings about themselves.

"You're going to challenge the thought that Black children have that they're being treated unfairly, and challenge that and say that that's not really true?" Calhoun said. "So, it's very easy for cognitive behavioral therapy to become gaslighting."

Black children can also experience racism and biases from their therapist, which can also affect treatment, she added.

Simon, who is a Black psychiatrist, agreed. He said that it's necessary for white mental health care providers to "be genuinely empathetic and generally curious about the experiences of their Black patients." As a provider, he said he also makes sure to acknowledge and affirm his patients' experiences and counteract the devaluation with positive affirmations.

"You are just as good of a person that you're supposed to be," Simon said he tells patients. "You don't have to try to be more than you should."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Online racism is linked to PTSD symptoms in Black youth, study finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Online racism was linked to PTSD symptoms in Black teens, and PTSD symptoms are linked to suicidal thoughts. Mental health experts want to fight rising suicide rates in Black youth.

# data[].attributes.body
This healthy eating article from NBC news talks about what real nutritionists and dietitians eat and stay away from in their own lives. They warn readers to steer clear of processed foods high in sugar and salt, even though they may be tempting during the holidays. They also discuss the relation between high sugar intake and obesity and heart disease. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about healthy and unhealthy foods to eat and what it does to the body.

Mogg, K. (2023, December 10). Nutritionists and dietitians reveal the foods they avoid in their own lives. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/nutritionists-dietitians-reveal-foods-they-avoid-rcna128794

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Charcuterie boards, eggnog, candy: For many, the holiday season means indulging in these types of unhealthy treats.

But doctors and nutritionists say that in their own lives, what they generally avoid are beverages and processed foods that contain high levels of added sugar and salt.

NBC News spoke with nine health experts - doctors, registered dietitians and nutrition professors - about their approaches to a healthy diet. Nearly all said they try to replace items like cookies, crackers and deli meats with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

"I really try to do a whole foods approach," said Jaimie Davis, a registered dietitian and professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. "My rule is that if I'm having dinner or lunch, I'm trying to make everything not come out of a package. So that could be chicken breasts with broccoli and rice."

Here's how the experts determine what to avoid.

Sweet drinks are highly caloric

Davis said she avoids sodas, sports drinks, coffee and other sugary beverages to reduce her calorie intake and keep her two teenage boys healthy.

"We have the LaCroixs and the sparkling waters if we want something special, as opposed to just normal water or just regular milk," Davis said. "We also make a lot of aguas frescas, so like infused waters with basil and strawberries."

Some alcoholic cocktails are also deceptively sugary and caloric, she said. Instead, Davis recommends mixing sparkling water with a dash of hard liquor, and garnishing with fruit like raspberries or pomegranate seeds.

Research has long demonstrated a link between high sugar intake and obesity and heart disease. An October study looking at the effects of consuming sugary drinks on adults in 185 countries found they were associated with risks for Type 2 diabetes, cancer and tooth decay.

"It's almost better to eat a Snickers bar than to drink a 20-fluid-ounce Coke," Davis said.

Foods high in sodium can be thought of as treats

Angel Planells, a Seattle-based registered dietitian nutritionist, said he avoids admittedly "delicious" foods like cured meats, smoked fish, canned soups and frozen TV dinners.

"I like to talk to my patients and say, you know, these things are like treats," he added. "If you have them all the time, they're not a treat, they're now a habit."

These sodium-rich foods can lead to issues with heart health, Planells said. The American Heart Association suggests that, ideally, people consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, and the maximum should be 2,300 milligrams. Too much salt is linked to high blood pressure and obesity, a 2021 study found.

Lauren Au, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of California, Davis, said she cooks at home and limits restaurant outings to avoid sodium. She also follows a plant-based, Mediterranean-style diet that limits red meat consumption and emphasizes vegetables, nuts, whole grains and beans. Au said her diet includes olive oil, seafood, chicken and tofu.

"I also have young kids. So when they're first exposed to foods, you really want to reduce the amount of sodium because they're developing their taste preferences," Au said. "When I cook, I try to limit, if not have much sodium at all, and then just add it on to taste after it's cooked."

A high price to pay for fatty snacks

Dr. Linda Shiue, an internist and director of culinary and lifestyle medication at Kaiser Permanente, said she avoids snacks like packaged cookies and crackers. She also checks food labels for chemicals used as additives or preservatives.

"If you don't know what it is, you really don't need it in your body," she said.

Eating large quantities of ultraprocessed foods can raise one's risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and death, according to a 2020 review of published research. This category of food includes sodas, hot dogs, candy, breakfast cereals and ice cream, which can contain high levels of saturated fat.

A 2020 study showed that eating less saturated fat is linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, while other research published the same year found that diets high in saturated fat were associated with higher rates of death from all causes.

Shiue said it's important to prioritize vegetables because they're a source of fiber, which can improve gut health, and antioxidants that help prevent chronic disease. Making vegetables enjoyable comes down to cooking methods and seasonings, she added. A cooking instructor, Shiue said she once once convinced a hater of Brussels sprouts to love them by roasting the sprouts at high heat in the oven and seasoning with olive oil, salt and pepper.

"A lot of people who don't like vegetables, it's because they grew up with people who didn't know how to cook them. So they might have these sad, soggy, colorless vegetables, and who wants to eat that?" Shiue said.

There's no one-size-fits-all way to eat healthy

Several nutrition experts interviewed emphasized that there's no one, uniform way to eat healthy, and that factors including socioeconomic status, access to affordable healthy food, and an understanding of food labels can stand in the way of a nutritious diet.

For those who don't know where to start, Maya Feller, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New York City, suggested visiting a doctor to get a better sense of one's personal health: "Where are your blood sugars? How's your blood pressure? Where's your cholesterol?"

Once you know there's no dysfunction or allergies, she said, then work on making fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and legumes "a central part of your pattern of eating."

However, Laura Bellows, an associate professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, said that rather than avoiding certain foods altogether, she takes a moderation-is-key approach and follows the dietary guidelines outlined by the Department of Agriculture.

"There are no bad foods, only bad quantities," she said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nutritionists and dietitians reveal the foods they avoid in their own lives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nutritionists and dietitians share healthy eating tips and the foods they avoid. Steer clear of processed food high in sugar and salt, and find ways to make vegetables enjoyable.

# data[].attributes.body
In this preventing drug use article from National Institute on Drug Abuse, they talk about how the drug use among adolescents has continued to hold below pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Before the pandemic, there were low levels of illicit substances used by adolescents, and the trend has continued in 2023. Even though there is a low use of illicit drugs, there has been a dramatic rise in overdose deaths among teens. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about the dangers of drug use and how important it is to stay away from dangerous drugs.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, January 5). Reported drug use among adolescents continued to hold below pre-pandemic levels in 2023. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/12/reported-drug-use-among-adolescents-continued-to-hold-below-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reported drug use among adolescents continued to hold below pre-pandemic levels in 2023 | National Institute on Drug Abuse

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New data show relatively low use of illicit substances, and yet overdose death rates among teens have risen

# data[].attributes.body
This gender and sexual identity article from CNN talks about how a federal judge blocks the Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. This law would have punished medical professionals with extreme fines, a felony conviction, and up to 10 years in prison for providing care for transgender people. The article explains that the Judge who made the decision believes that transgender children should receive equal treatment under the law. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about what gender and sexual identity is and how it can cause controversy in laws.

Mascarenhas, L. (2023, December 28). Federal judge blocks Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/us/idaho-gender-affirming-care-minors/index.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Federal judge blocks Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A federal judge in Idaho temporarily blocked a state ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors this week, just days before the law was set to take effect in the New Year.

# data[].attributes.body
This preventing tobacco use article from CNN talks about how 1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes were seized as the US government bears down on unauthorized sales. The article discusses how popular e-cigarette brands specifically appeal to youth and how the FDA is determined to stop these imports. The article explains the dangers of e-cigarettes and how highly addictive and damaging they are to young brains. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about how e-cigarette brands are trying to appeal to young people and how they are the most affected by the dangerous chemicals.

Musa, A. (2023, December 14). 1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes seized as US government bears down on unauthorized sales. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/health/fda-e-cigarette-seizure/index.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes seized as US government bears down on unauthorized sales | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The US Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday the seizure of about 1.4 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products, including commonly used brands such as Elf Bar, which has received warnings from the agency over the sale and distribution of unauthorized products that appeal to minors.

# data[].attributes.body
In this trauma article from News Channel abc 20, they explain how there is a new children’s adversity index law that will help District 186 assist children with trauma. This law says that schools across Illinois will have to teach trauma training. The article discusses trauma and how important it is to combat it by implementing resources for children in schools. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about what trauma is and provide resources for students who might struggle with it.

Willis, K. (2024, January 17). New Children’s adversity index law will help district 186 assist children with trauma. WICS. https://newschannel20.com/news/local/new-childrens-adversity-index-law-will-help-district-186-assist-children-with-trauma

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New children’s adversity index law will help District 186 assist children with trauma | WICS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New children’s adversity index law will help District 186 assist children with trauma

# data[].attributes.body
This personal health and wellness article from CNN explains how Americans with diabetes will get a break on their insulin costs in 2024. The high cost of insulin has caused a lot of issues over the years, and major drug companies are finally cutting prices. There is now a $35 monthly price cap. In the PK-4th Grade classroom teachers can talk about the price of medications and how it affects people who need them.

Luhby, T. (2024, January 2). More Americans can now get insulin for $35 | CNN politics. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/01/politics/insulin-price-cap/index.html#:~:text=More%20Americans%20with%20diabetes%20will,to%20%2435%20for%20many%20patients.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
More Americans can now get insulin for $35 | CNN Politics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More Americans with diabetes will get a break on their insulin costs in 2024.