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Make a Difference for Children Globally this Holiday Season

The most meaningful gifts are rarely the ones that can be wrapped and found under a tree. This holiday season, gifts can go beyond just thoughtful presents for family, friends and loved ones and can make real impact for children globally.

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(Family Features) The most meaningful gifts are rarely the ones that can be wrapped and found under a tree. This holiday season, gifts can go beyond just thoughtful presents for family, friends and loved ones and can make real impact for children globally.

As the world faces multiple crises from the war in Ukraine to the malnutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa and devastating floods in Pakistan, giving back to those in need is as crucial as ever.

Handcrafted by talented artisans from all around the world, UNICEF Market is a unique collection of carefully curated gifts ranging from jewelry to apparel, home decor, kitchenware and more. The gifts give back three times over by supporting artisans and helping local economies thrive, assisting vulnerable children in need and making for thoughtful and compassionate gifts for loved ones. By purchasing gifts from the market, individuals can contribute to creating a more equitable world for every child.

Additionally, UNICEFInspired Gifts provide meaningful opportunities to make a difference by donating important resources in the name of a loved one alongside a personalized card or e-greeting. You can help children facing the malnutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa by purchasing High-Energy Biscuits to help a malnourished child survive and grow healthy. To help provide 50 children with the essentials they need to continue their educations, your donation would provide them with backpacks, exercise books, pens and more. You can also provide a donation to fully vaccinate one child for life, providing him or her with the protection needed to live a healthy and happy life.

To help support its lifesaving mission, UNICEF USA’s partners, including MAC, Hallmark, Pandora and more are making a donation for every product sold this holiday season. For example, every cent of MAC’s Viva Glam Lipsticks is donated to organizations around the world supporting healthy futures and equal rights for all like the United Nations Children’s Fund, which is working to reduce HIV transmission from mothers to babies and help end AIDS in adolescents. In addition, for every “Pandora for UNICEF” charm sold through the new year, Pandora will donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization’s work for children’s education, gender equality, rights awareness and more.

This holiday season, spread some joy and make a difference in the world by visiting market.unicefusa.org where you can support efforts to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.

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health and wellness

Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD) 101

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Pediatric Growth Hormone

What parents should know about pediatric growth hormone deficiency

(Family Features) Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a relatively rare condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 4,000-10,000 children. Despite its rarity, GHD can significantly impact a child’s growth and development, which can potentially lead to short stature, delayed puberty, decreased muscle mass, delay in bone maturation and psychosocial implications. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, children with GHD can achieve improved growth outcomes and lead healthy lives. Increasing understanding of GHD treatment options and closing knowledge gaps can make a difference in the patient and caregiver journey. What is PGHD? 16944 detail image embed1Growth hormone plays a critical role in helping young bodies grow and develop, including improving muscle metabolism, growing bones and breaking down fats. PGHD occurs when a child’s pituitary gland is unable to produce enough growth hormone which results in noticeable changes on the growth chart. Children with PGHD may look younger than their peers of the same age and gender, and puberty may be delayed or absent. Muscle development, metabolism and bone strength may also be impacted by insufficient or inadequate levels of growth hormone. While growth hormone stimulates height increase during development, its role in the body extends beyond childhood. Even after growth plates close, growth hormone plays a vital role for cardiovascular health and for maintaining normal body structure and metabolism. Research also indicates osteoporosis as a long-term implication of GHD, highlighting its importance in overall health and well-being. What are the Symptoms? PGHD may be apparent during infancy, or it may not be revealed until later in childhood. Children with PGHD tend to have typical body proportions but noticeably slow growth. Other symptoms may include an immature or significantly younger look than other children of the same age, chubby body build, slow hair and nail growth, teeth that come in late and episodes of low blood sugar. Children who have experienced a brain injury, brain tumor or radiation treatment involving the head are at higher risk for PGHD. Genetic factors can also increase risk. How are Children Diagnosed? Generally, doctors attempt to rule out other causes of slow growth, which may include genetic short stature, poor nutrition – which may be the result of an underlying condition such as celiac disease – and other genetic conditions, such as a hypothyroidism or Turner syndrome. X-rays to evaluate bone age and imaging to identify the location of the pituitary gland can support the diagnosis. Another common screening option is a growth hormone stimulation test, in which medications are administered to trigger the release of growth hormone and blood is drawn frequently to monitor the body’s response. What Treatment Options are Available? Once a diagnosis is confirmed, children with PGHD often work closely with an endocrinologist to develop a treatment plan that includes growth hormone replacement therapy and closely monitor future growth. Dosing is based on weight and requires ongoing monitoring for adjustments. Traditionally, treatment was through daily injections, but more recently, weekly injections became available. Children with PGHD who begin treatment early in life are more likely to reach adult height consistent with their family’s stature. Learn more about PGHD at GHDinKids.com. 16944 detail image embed2

From Playdate to PGHD

During a visit to a friend’s house, Erin Swieter noticed her 18-month-old daughter, Ingrid, was about a head shorter than her peer who was six weeks younger. Upon learning her friend’s daughter was only in the 10th percentile for height, Swieter realized Ingrid must be even smaller. While she was hitting her developmental milestones, she was still wearing 9-to-12-month clothes and had a baby-like appearance. Swieter took her concerns to Ingrid’s pediatrician; her growth charts were monitored closely for the next several months. Following a move to a new city, the Swieters found a new pediatric endocrinologist, who was instrumental in diagnosing Ingrid. The endocrinologist reviewed previous labs and monitored Ingrid’s growth carefully, eventually diagnosing her with PGHD after a failed growth hormone stimulation test. “Receiving Ingrid’s diagnosis was a relief, as it confirmed our suspicions and gave us a clear path forward,” Swieter said. After learning about daily injections, the Swieters were hesitant about proceeding. The Swieters discussed their worries with Ingrid’s pediatric endocrinologist, who recommended weekly injections as a viable option due to Ingrid’s age and the duration of treatment she would likely need. “We had heard from other parents about the challenges of daily medications, which could pose a problem during travel, day trips or sleepovers at Grandma’s house,” Swieter said. “The weekly injection eliminates the need for a daily treatment routine.” Navigating the insurance approval process proved challenging, but once Swieter provided evidence of two failed growth hormone stimulation tests, the weekly injections were approved. “Insurance and pharmacy challenges can be frustrating, but patience and persistence are key,” Swieter said. “Educate yourself about your insurance, treatment options, and medical literature to be a strong advocate for your child.” Ingrid has embraced opportunities to share her journey with her condition through a school project, proudly engaging her classmates in conversations about her experience. At the same time, she is making strides physically, continuing to grow and thrive.   Photos courtesy of Shutterstock (mom measuring daughter and mom and son talking to doctor) Real patient and caregiver photo courtesy of Erin Swieter (mom and daughter hiking)   collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures SOURCE: Skytrofa

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What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD)

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What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD) (Family Features) Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a relatively rare condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 4,000-10,000 children. Despite its rarity, GHD can significantly impact a child’s growth and development, which can potentially lead to short stature, delayed puberty, decreased muscle mass, delay in bone maturation and psychosocial implications. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, children with GHD can achieve improved growth outcomes and lead healthy lives. Increasing understanding of GHD treatment options and closing knowledge gaps can make a difference in the patient anlifestyle clip image002 0014d caregiver journey. What is PGHD? Growth hormone plays a critical role in helping young bodies grow and develop, including improving muscle metabolism, growing bones and breaking down fats. PGHD occurs when a child’s pituitary gland is unable to produce enough growth hormone which results in noticeable changes on the growth chart. Children with PGHD may look younger than their peers of the same age and gender, and puberty may be delayed or absent. Muscle development, metabolism and bone strength may also be impacted by insufficient or inadequate levels of growth hormone. While growth hormone stimulates height increase during development, its role in the body extends beyond childhood. Even after growth plates close, growth hormone plays a vital role for cardiovascular health and for maintaining normal body structure and metabolism. Research also indicates osteoporosis as a long-term implication of GHD, highlighting its importance in overall health and well-being. What are the Symptoms? PGHD may be apparent during infancy, or it may not be revealed until later in childhood. Children with PGHD tend to have typical body proportions but noticeably slow growth. Other symptoms may include an immature or significantly younger look than other children of the same age, chubby body build, slow hair and nail growth, teeth that come in late and episodes of low blood sugar. Children who have experienced a brain injury, brain tumor or radiation treatment involving the head are at higher risk for PGHD. Genetic factors can also increase risk. How are Children Diagnosed? Generally, doctors attempt to rule out other causes of slow growth, which may include genetic short stature, poor nutrition – which may be the result of an underlying condition such as celiac disease – and other genetic conditions, such as a hypothyroidism or Turner syndrome. X-rays to evaluate bone age and imaging to identify the location of the pituitary gland can support the diagnosis. Another common screening option is a growth hormone stimulation test, in which medications are administered to trigger the release of growth hormone and blood is drawn frequently to monitor the body’s response. What Treatment Options are Available? Once a diagnosis is confirmed, children with PGHD often work closely with an endocrinologist to develop a treatment plan that includes growth hormone replacement therapy and closely monitor future growth. Dosing is based on weight and requires ongoing monitoring for adjustments. Traditionally, treatment was through daily injections, but more recently, weekly injections became available. Children with PGHD who begin treatment early in life are more likely to reach adult height consistent with their family’s stature. Learn more about PGHD at GHDinKids.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock   collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures SOURCE: Skytrofa

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Food and Beverage

MAHA report on children’s health highlights harms of ultraprocessed foods – a food scientist explains the research

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ultraprocessed foods
Ultraprocessed foods contain ingredients not found in a typical kitchen and are often designed to be extremely palatable. beats3/iStock viaGetty Images Plus
Paul Dawson, Clemson University On May 22, 2025, the White House released a new report highlighting what it claims are the causes of chronic disease in children. The report fleshes out many of the themes that have emerged as priorities for the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. One major area of focus is the negative health effects of ultraprocessed foods. The report points to the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet as a key contributor to chronic illness in children and cites research that finds that nearly 70% of children’s diets and 50% of pregnant and postpartum women’s diets in the U.S. consist of ultraprocessed foods. The Conversation U.S. asked Paul Dawson, a food scientist at Clemson University, to explain how the government’s stance on the harms of ultraprocessed foods squares with the science.

What are ultraprocessed foods?

Concerns that ingredients used by food manufacturers can contribute to chronic illness first emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, when research began linking processed food consumption to increasing rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The term “ultraprocessed food” dates back to the 1980s and was used to describe convenience foods and snacks that contained high amounts of additives and had low nutritional value. As research on the health effects of ultraprocessed foods began to build, experts in public health and the food industry have debated the meaning of the term. Increasingly, researchers are settling on defining ultraprocessed foods based on a framework called the Nova Food Classification System, created in 2009 by nutrition researchers in Brazil. The framework assigns foods to one of four groups based on the level of processing they undergo:
  • Group 1 – Unprocessed or minimally processed foods: This category includes raw fruits, vegetables and meats that may be cleaned, frozen or fermented but remain close to their natural state.
  • Group 2 – Processed culinary ingredients: Think salt, sugar, oils and other ingredients extracted from nature and used to cook and flavor foods.
  • Group 3 – Processed foods: Foods in this category are made by adding ingredients like salt or sugar to Group 1 items — for example, canned vegetables or cheese.
  • Group 4 – Ultraprocessed foods: These are mostly foods that contain ingredients not found in a typical kitchen, such as hydrogenated oils, modified starches, flavor enhancers, color additives and preservatives. Examples include chips, sodas, candy bars and many frozen meals, which are designed to be hyper-palatable and often nutrient-poor.

What does research say about ultraprocessed foods?

A growing body of research links ultraprocessed foods with many negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline. One issue is that these products are typically high in added sugar, sodium, saturated fats and chemical additives, and low in fiber, vitamins and essential micronutrients.
Limiting ultraprocessed foods in the U.S. will be a challenge.
But some studies also suggest that what makes these foods harmful isn’t just the ingredients but also how they’re made. That’s because the industrial processing of fats and starches can produce harmful compounds. For example, a substance called acrolein, formed when oils are heated at high temperatures, has been linked to DNA damage. Studies are also finding that microparticles from packaging and plastics, now found in air, water and food, may disrupt the gut microbiome, a key player in immune and metabolic health. One drawback of nutrition studies is that they often rely on self-reported dietary data, which can be inaccurate. They can also have confounding factors that are difficult to account for, such as lifestyle patterns. However, the consistency of the findings across diverse populations gives credence to the growing concerns about ultraprocessed foods. An important caveat, however, is that not all ultraprocessed foods are created equal. They vary in how nutritious they are, and some ultraprocessed foods play an important role for vulnerable populations. For example, foods containing the slow-release carbohydrate sweetener sucromalt help people with diabetes prevent blood sugar spikes, and hypoallergenic infant formula can be lifesaving for infants that cannot digest milk at a young age.

How does the MAHA report fit with current dietary guidelines?

The report echoes key themes of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a document jointly published by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services every five years. Both the MAHA report and the federal guidelines encourage the consumption of nutrient-dense, whole foods. One critical difference between them is that the 2020-2025 dietary guidelines make no mention of ultraprocessed foods. Some public health experts have noted that this omission may reflect food industry influence.

What happens next?

Kennedy has stated that a follow-up report outlining a strategy and potential policy reforms for addressing childhood chronic illness will be released in mid-August 2025. However, change is unlikely to be straightforward. Ultraprocessed foods represent a significant industry, and policies that challenge their prominence may encounter resistance from influential commercial interests. For decades, U.S. agricultural subsidies, food policy and consumers have supported the mass production and consumption of ultraprocessed foods. Reversing their overconsumption will require structural shifts in how food is produced, distributed and consumed in the U.S.The Conversation Paul Dawson, Professor of Food Science, Clemson University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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