Is your booster seat putting your child at risk? Regular automobile seats are not designed to protect children. This is why U.S. law mandates booster seat and seat belt use for small children. The booster elevates the youngster in the seat, so both the lap belt and shoulder harness fit the child more like they do an adult. The purpose of every booster is to prevent injury to a child's vital organs and spine in the event of a collision.

There are two kinds of booster seats. The most basic kind is the so-called backless booster seat. The other type is a seat bottom/back combination: the high-back booster, which also has a head restraint and side head protection to prevent bending of the head and neck in the event of a car accident. A recent study demonstrated that the high-back booster reduced injuries by a very commendable 70 percent, while the backless booster was shown to be no more effective at reducing injuries than seat belts without the booster. So replace those backless boosters right away!

There are a few simple ways to determine whether your child should be using a booster seat. Children should ride in a booster seat until they are at least 57 inches tall (4 feet, 9 inches). Once they have reached this height, if your child cannot sit all the way back against the vehicle's seat back and bend the knees over the edge of the seat, they should remain in a booster.

Your child is precious cargo. It's up to you to ensure that your child is safe while traveling in any vehicle.

Click here for more information.

Eating disorders affect almost 5 percent of all young American women. Surprisingly, the first-ever national survey on eating disorders reported that binge eating is more prevalent than anorexia and bulimia combined. Binge eating occurs when people undergo frequent, uncontrolled eating binges without purging. It reportedly affects 3.5 percent of women compared to anorexia (1 percent) and bulimia (1.5 percent).

Experts believe eating disorders are closely associated with social issues and a negative self-image. A recent study of 242 college students found that concern over outward appearance is uniquely predictive of an eating disorder, even compared to low self-esteem, neuroticism or insecure attachment styles.

Reports indicate the best cure for a negative self-image is positive, self-affirming thoughts, reminders of your personal strengths, and close relationships with a social support network. So be kind to yourself and nurture the positive relationships in your life. You deserve it.

Click here for more information.

Surely you've heard of cholesterol, but do you know what your cholesterol score is or how it could affect your health, now and years from now?

One of the first steps in getting your cholesterol under control is knowing your numbers. A "safe" total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL. A score of 200 or higher signifies increased risk for developing heart disease; over 240 puts you in the high-risk category. Most importantly, find out your ratio of "good" HDL to "bad" LDL cholesterol. An LDL cholesterol level of less than 130 mg/dL is acceptable for most people, and the recommended HDL level is at least 40 mg/dL for men and at least 50 mg/dL for women.

Once you know the numbers, take a look at your diet. Consumption of foods high in saturated fat and LDL cholesterol is a major reason for out-of-control cholesterol levels and rising heart attack rates in the United States. While saturated fat increases LDL and total cholesterol in the bloodstream, unsaturated fats increase HDL cholesterol and reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. So on your next grocery shopping trip, be sure to select a few foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like fish, olive oil, olives, avocados and nuts.

LDL cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fats can have a profound impact on your health. Find out which foods and lifestyle choices can help you win the battle against high cholesterol.

Click here for more information.