Harvard Health Content API

More than half of families use soft bedding for sleeping infants, despite warnings that the practice is unsafe, a study shows. Soft bedding includes quilts, blankets and pillows. They have been shown to increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-related suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised against soft bedding for babies since 1996. They should be placed on a firm surface without any objects that might trap air. The bed should be covered only by a fitted sheet. The new study looked at results from a U.S. phone survey on infant sleep habits. It was done each year from 1993 through 2010. Researchers interviewed parents of babies younger than 8 months old. Use of soft bedding dropped from 86% in the first 3 years of the survey to 55% in the last 3 years. Bedding use of was most common among teen mothers (80%).

Nearly half a million cancers worldwide each year are linked with excess weight, a new study estimates. The study was based on 2012 cancer data. Researchers looked at 184 countries. They found there were 481,000 obesity-related cancers that year. That’s about 3.6% of all cancers in the world. About 2 out of 3 occurred in North America and Europe. In developed nations, about 8% of cancers in women were linked with obesity. The rate was 3% for men. In developing nations, rates were 1.5% for women and 0.3% for men. Cancers of the breast, uterus and colon among older women accounted for 250,000 cases. That was nearly three-quarters of all obesity-related cancers among women. Nearly 90,000 cases among men were colon and kidney cancers. They accounted for more than two-thirds of the obesity-related cancers among men. Rates of obesity-related cancers also varied by country and by region.

A cup of yogurt a day may help keep diabetes away, a new study suggests. But the reduction in risk was relatively small. The study was based on information about the diets of nearly 200,000 health professionals. They were part of three long-term studies. Researchers asked them regularly about their diets, other habits and health. They kept track of people for up to 30 years. During the study, about 15,000 developed type 2 diabetes. Researchers took account of other things that affect diabetes risk, such as weight, age, smoking and high blood pressure. After these adjustments, they found no link between type 2 diabetes risk and the total amount of dairy products people ate. But for those who ate yogurt, the risk was lower. Researchers then combined their results with other studies that looked at diet and type 2 diabetes risk.

Growing numbers of U.S. children are being diagnosed with eczema, a new report says. The report comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It offers updated information and advice for pediatricians. These doctors treat most of the children with this condition. Eczema is an allergic skin condition. It is also called atopic dermatitis. Most people are diagnosed before age 5. A national health survey found that eczema rates rose for U.S. children between 2000 and 2010. Eczema increased from 9% to 17% among black children. Rates rose from 5% to 10% for Hispanics and 8% to 13% for non-Hispanic whites. Treatments include skin care with mild soap and regular use of moisturizers. Steroid creams or ointments also can be applied to the skin. They can help to control the condition and ease symptoms. Baths with diluted bleach can help to prevent infections.