News of Interest to Moms July 6, 2009

News to know:

Autism may be linked to mom's autoimmune disease

Mothers who have autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease increases their children's risk of having autism, according to a new study.

The study is the first to find a link between autism and celiac disease. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley. The report is published in the July 6 online edition of Pediatrics.


Researches said the study reinforces the association between autism and a mother's autoimmune disease. But, they added the increased risk that autoimmune diseases contribute to autism is not huge.


Kids of parents who value exercise are more active

Both boys and girls are more likely to join a sports team or be active if their parents like team sports, according to a study in the July issue of Health Psychology.

Researchers found children of parents who valued high-intensity team sports watched less TV, spent less time on their computers, and were more active than other children.

The study involved 681 parents and 433 fourth- and fifth-grade students at 12 schools in Houston.