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OECD says young Irish are among main victims of the crisis

November 7, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Development, Financial Crisis, Ireland, OECD, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

OECD says young Irish are among main victims of the crisis.

A new report by the global economic think-tank found the share increased by 1 percentage point on average in the area covered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

But Ireland suffered the biggest hike, followed by Spain which increased 6 percentage points, according to an OECD study measuring the human cost of the crisis. It found that ordinary people’s satisfaction with life has plunged in the eurozone countries worst hit by the financial crisis as faith in their governments’ ability to ease the strain has diminished.

Research finds sleep a factor in childhood obesity – Health News | Irish Medical News | The Irish Times – Tue, Nov 05, 2013

November 6, 2013

Peter Singhatey Health Education, Health, obesity, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Research finds sleep a factor in childhood obesity – Health News | Irish Medical News | The Irish Times – Tue, Nov 05, 2013.

Putting children to bed earlier may be a simple way to keep their weight down, research has shown.

Childhood obesity is not only caused by fast food, sugary drinks and lack of exercise, the new findings suggest. Lack of sleep also appears to be an important factor.

Scientists made the discovery after adjusting the sleep patterns of 37 children aged eight to 11, more than a quarter of whom were overweight or obese…

allAfrica.com: Africa Isn\’t Rising, Say Ordinary Africans (Page 1 of 2)

October 31, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Development, Gambia, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

allAfrica.com: Africa Isn\’t Rising, Say Ordinary Africans (Page 1 of 2)

via allAfrica.com: Africa Isn\’t Rising, Say Ordinary Africans (Page 1 of 2).

A pioneering new survey of public opinion in 34 countries across the continent suggests that the relatively high average growth in gross domestic product (GDP) reported in recent years is not reflected in the experiences of most citizens.

An average of one in five Africans still often goes without food, clean water or medical care. Only one in three think economic conditions in their country are good. Fifty-three percent say they are “fairly bad” or “very bad”.

The survey suggests that either the benefits of growth are being disproportionately channelled to a wealthy elite or that official statistics are overstating average growth rates (or possibly a combination of both)…

Doctors call for 20% budget tax on sugary drinks | Irish Examiner

October 7, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Health, Ireland, obesity, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Doctors call for 20% budget tax on sugary drinks | Irish Examiner.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland also called for a review of how sugary drinks are promoted and the effect their consumption has, particularly on children.

Donal O’Shea warned that such drinks provide no nutritional benefits but are linked with weight gain.

“With one in four Irish schoolchildren classified as overweight or obese, we have an epidemic and the Government must take action,” said Prof O’Shea, a hospital consultant.

“There is widespread agreement among health professionals, now backed by a convincing body of evidence, that sugar-sweetened drinks, including sports drinks, and their pattern of consumption, are significant factors in weight gain and obesity, especially among children,” he said…

Hyperactivity can be useful – especially if you’re a mother – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Sep 24, 2013

September 26, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News ADHD, Education, Ireland, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Hyperactivity can be useful – especially if you’re a mother – Family News & Advice | Parenting, Marriage & Kids | The Irish Tim – Tue, Sep 24, 2013.

‘A weight off my shoulders” is how Monaghan-based artist and fashion designer Helen Steele describes the day six years ago when she was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Today is ADHD Awareness Day, which aims to highlight the positive aspects of the condition and its link with creativity and sport.

ADHD is a genetic condition that is caused by a balance of chemicals in the brain that is different to that of the average person. It affects an estimated 60,000 children in Ireland, with the majority diagnosed between the ages of five and seven.

This misunderstood psychiatric condition leads people to assume that a child’s hyperactive and erratic behaviour is down to bad parenting.

Research by HADD, the Irish support group for people living with ADHD, found that more than six in 10 parents of children with the condition feel it isn’t properly recognised by society. Some eight in 10 parents of children with ADHD feel judged by other parents.

But Steele is “quite proud to wear the ADHD label”…

BBC News – Apple sells 9 million of its new iPhone models 5S and 5C

September 24, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized People & Society, peter singhateh, Technology 1 Comment

BBC News – Apple sells 9 million of its new iPhone models#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

via BBC News – Apple sells 9 million of its new iPhone models#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa.

Apple has sold nine million of its new iPhone models in three days.

The company said that sales of the iPhone 5S and 5C had beaten previous launches of new phones.

Apple said demand for the 5S had outstripped supply and Apple shares rose almost 6% on the news before falling back to trade 4% higher.

The 5S has a fingerprint sensor built into the phone’s main button. The cheaper 5C comes with a plastic back in a choice of colours.

Africa\’s population to \’double\’ by 2050

September 16, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Development, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Africa\’s population to \’double\’ by 2050

via Africa\’s population to \’double\’ by 2050.

Africa’s population will more than double to 2.4 billion within 40 years, thanks in large part to better healthcare, according to a major study.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is rising faster than the rest of the world because modern medicine and healthcare on the continent means more babies are surviving birth complications, and fewer adults are dying from preventable diseases. But the number of children being conceived is not dropping, or is doing so very slowly.

”This means that population growth rates would naturally rise if birth rates stay as they are,” said Carl Haub, the co-author of the report by the US-based Population Reference Bureau.

African mothers currently give birth to an average of 5.2 children, rising to 7.6 in Niger, the country with the world’s highest fertility rate, which is close to five times the European average of 1.6 children born to each woman…

Parents will receive training on bullying | Irish Examiner

September 16, 2013

Peter Singhatey Irish News Bullying, Education, Ireland, People & Society, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Parents will receive training on bullying | Irish Examiner.

Adults will be expected to teach children about the problem behaviour after attending courses paid for by the education department. A total of 40,000 euros are earmarked to deliver sessions for parents by the end of the year.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) estimates up to 40% of nine-year-olds have been victimised.

Education minister Ruairi Quinn said: “Bullying is not a problem schools can or should be left to tackle alone. Parents, families and the wider community have an important role to play in tackling all forms of bullying and in teaching children how to manage relationships, be resilient and have empathy for others.”

The minister said the anti-bullying parent training programme will be available nationwide. It will be a two-and-a-half hour session that helps parents support their children with issues of bullying and informs them about new anti-bullying procedures for primary and secondary schools…