Talk about mixed messages. Today at the gym I was reading about ideas for combating childhood obesity. One of the author’s suggestions was making sure kids have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Sounds pretty simple, right?
And then not two hours later, the 3-year-old and I had just finished our lunch (salad, yay!) when I saw this article in the newspaper, stating that children’s exposure to pesticides like those used on fresh fruits and vegetables has been linked to attention-deficit disorder. (Salad, boo!) Those authors suggested buying organic produce – which is a great concept, except that organic produce can be pricey.
The government regulates the amount of pesticide residues that can be left on our food, and the limits are pretty low. Still, there are worries about their cumulative effects, especially on children. This is because their exposure relative to their body weight is higher than adults’, and their brains are still growing and developing.
In this research, of the 1,139 children tested, 94 percent had detectable levels of pesticides in their urine. The kids whose levels were highest also had increased chances of having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to the study, lead by a researcher from the University of Montreal and published today in Pediatrics.
So what’s a parent to do? Definitely don’t toss up your hands and bring out the Doritos. Experts across the board agree that the health benefits of fruits and veggies outweigh the pesticide risks. But it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Here are some tips:
By Amy De La Hunt, Health Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy De La Hunt is a journalist and editor who lives in the St. Louis metro area and works across the country as a writer, copy editor, project manager and editorial consultant on everything from fiction books to monthly magazines to blog posts. When she's not chauffeuring her teenage sons to activities, Amy is an enthusiastic amateur cook, landscaper, Latin dancer and traveler. Follow Amy on Instagram @amy_in_words
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