Wellnews by Scott LaFee

Researchers at Ohio State University say the quality of the emotional relationship between a mother and young child may affect the latter's potential to become obese during adolescence.

Specifically, they say the lower the quality of the relationship in terms of the child's emotional security and the mother's sensitivity, the higher the risk that the child will be obese by the age of 15.

The study analyzed data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, which surveyed and followed hundreds of families living in nine states whose children were born in 1991. Among the key components of the study was an analysis of interactions between mothers and children at three points in time: when the children were 15, 24 and 36 months old.

The authors found that among toddlers who had the lowest-quality emotional relationships with their mothers, more than one-quarter were obese as teens, compared to 13 percent of adolescents who had closer bonds with their mothers in their younger years.

They suggested obesity prevention efforts be expanded to address mother-child bonding and not just focus just on eating and exercise. The study appears in the January 2012 issue of the journal Pediatrics.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

Everybody needs earwax. The substance, which doctors more euphemistically call cerumen, protects the inner ear from invasive bacteria, fungus, dirt, water and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal. Glands located in the outer third of the canal produce cerumen. It's primarily a mixture of shed skin cells and fatty acids.

LIFE IN BIG MACS

One hour of playing the violin burns 170 calories (based on a 150-pound person) or the equivalent of 0.2 Big Macs.

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

If you're actually reading this in a doctor's waiting room, let's hope you didn't arrive on a medical backboard — you know, those hard, plastic boards used to stabilize patients during emergencies before they're lifted onto a gurney and into the ambulance.

The board's are re-usable and, according to protocol, are scrubbed down after each use to avoid exposing subsequent patients to any diseases, microbes or bodily fluids.

However, when researchers at the University of Miami examined 55 "cleaned" backboards in active use, they found all of them were contaminated with at least 11 different strains of bacteria and microorganisms.

A solution, though, is already being marketed: a sheath of synthetic, non-porous medical-grade material that's slipped over the board and disposed of after one use. Look for it soon in an ambulance near you. (Though, here's hoping you won't need to.)

DOC TALK

Venipuncture — the drawing of blood from a vein

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Homichlophobia — fear of fog

NEVER SAY DIET

The world's speed-eating record for fruitcake is 4 pounds, 14 and one-fourth ounces in 10 minutes, held by Sonya Thomas. There is no speed record for actually digesting fruitcake because, as far as anyone can tell, it can't be.

BEST MEDICINE

Two friends were chatting about their lives, hopes and fears. After one of them went on at length about the things he was afraid of, the other commented that he sounded phobic. The fearful friend agreed, saying he had sought help.

"I almost bought a book on phobias, but I was afraid it wouldn't help me."

OBSERVATION

"Any idiot can face a crisis; it's the day-to-day living that wears you out."

— Russian writer Anton Chekov (1860-1904)

LAST WORDS

"It's me. It's Buddy. I'm cold."

— American writer Truman Capote (1924-1984). "Buddy" was Capote's aunt's nickname for him.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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