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Vending machines have become a mainstay in many public schools today, but nutrition experts fear that the calorie-laden treats lurking inside could be contributing to our nation's obesity epidemic. Some schools have taken action against such temptations by eliminating vending machines, while others are replacing the fare with nutritional options that boast less fat and fewer calories.

Are vending machines in schools a pleasant convenience or a nutritional threat? We will explore this issue to discover the full impact they have on the overall health of our children.

Junk Food Studies

A recent study in the showed that school vending machine purchases added about 253 calories to the diets of the 22% of students who ate them daily. Researchers from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Food & Nutrition Database Research Inc. of Okemos, Michigan, conducted the study. The data was collected from 2,309 students nationwide in grades 1-12, and the findings were published in the September issue of the Journal of School Health.

The study also found that the most popular vending machine selections included soda pop, candy, chips, crackers, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Healthier selections, including low-fat milk, fruit juice, and fruit, were also purchased.

In addition to the added calories, children who regularly snacked from vending machines added ten more grams of sugar to their diet daily. The same kids consumed less fiber, iron, and B vitamins overall.

The Problem with Obesity

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Bed bugs are associated with dingy motel rooms, but more of these creepy crawlers are showing up in the most surprising places - including public schools!

School authorities in many areas are scrambling to dispel misconceptions and provide constructive information to help educators and parents keep the outbreaks under control. However, the news has many parents concerned about the safety of their children in school, as well as the possible infestations of the critter that could occur in their own homes.

What is a Bed Bug?

According to the , bed bugs are flat, oval creatures that are reddish brown in color. They are about the size of an apple seed, but are traditionally difficult to locate because they spend their days hiding in headboards, box springs and the cracks and crevices of mattresses. They come out to feed in the middle of the night, which is why people who have bed bugs in their homes typically wake up in the morning with evidence of bites on their face, neck, arms and hands. Bed bugs can be quite difficult to exterminate completely, particularly if the infestation has significantly grown before it was discovered.

Bed bug bites often appear as small red bumps with a smaller red dot in the middle. They are usually arranged in a line or cluster, and they can be quite itchy. In most cases, bed bug bites do not cause any major medical concerns, unless a person

Most parents send their children to school each day under the assumption that the campus is a safe environment for all of their students. If a risk is detected, parents generally believe that school officials will do whatever necessary to eliminate the risk before allowing children to return to the scene.

However, some public schools across the country have found dangers lurking within school walls, but have not quickly or efficiently addressed these toxins. This concern particularly applies to dangers lurking within walls quite literally, as well as floor and ceiling tiles. The danger in question here is asbestos exposure.

In this video, The Mesothelioma Center explains how many of America’s students, teachers and school staff are at danger of asbestos exposure because the deadly carcinogen lurks behind walls, above ceilings and under floors in older schools across the United States.

What is Asbestos?

According to the , or EPA, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was once commonly used in the construction of buildings. Asbestos was previously a desirable material because of its ability to insulate buildings efficiently and its relative resistance to fire.

Asbestos was widely used throughout much of the last century until health officials found a link between asbestos and some types of diseases in the 1970s. At that time, much asbestos was removed from buildings, although walls, ceilings, and floors were

When parents send their children to school, most worry about whether their children will like their teachers or succeed in their classes. Few are concerned about the potential of cancer-causing elements like PCBs lurking in or around their children's school grounds.

Alas, recent assessments of New York schools have raised some troubling findings that indeed have parents concerned about their children's exposure to these potentially harmful elements during school hours.

Study Uncovers Disturbing Findings

According to a report at the , a pilot study into the presence and potential risks of PCBs was conducted in New York City school buildings. In the first three schools examined, elevated levels of the compounds were discovered. Remediation work on the schools and surrounding areas has already begun, and the city's Department of Education has stated that all three schools are on schedule to open to students on September 8.

The Formation of the PCB Task Force

However, the assurance does little to calm the concerns of parents who send their children to schools in the city. One parent of a student at French Hill Elementary School in Yorktown Heights, Dr. Daniel Lefkowitz, discovered hazardous levels of PCBs around a window and in the soil around the school in 2004. His findings resulted in a major cleanup of French Hill Elementary that amounted to a total bill of more than $300,000.

The discovery also launched the beginnings of a PCB Task Force that calls

Summer may be coming to a close, but the school year is just starting to rev into gear. If you are concerned about how to transition your kids from the lazy, hazy days of summer to a more structured routine, you are not alone. Take advantage of these tips to help the entire family transition back to school more smoothly.

Good Nights = Better Days

Kids tend to adjust to the school routine much better if they move into it gradually. It is particularly important to get your children on a good bedtime schedule to ensure they begin their new school year fully rested.

Begin moving the bedtime clock up by 30 minutes or so a number of days before school begins. Establish a family dinner time and a relaxing evening routine that promotes restful slumber. CBS parenting expert Shannon Eis said in a that a well-rested child is one that can adapt to a new school year quickly and successfully.

Assess Physical Health

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends scheduling doctor and dentist appointments prior to the start of school to give your child a clean bill of health before the school year begins. If you have concerns about your child's physical, emotional or psychological development, discuss them with your pediatrician. Your doctor can let you know if your child's development is age-appropriate or an issue worth exploring.

Knowing potential problems ahead of time allows you and your