Family News & Events

Family News & Events
Hop on your bike for a family adventure

For cycling lovers and adventurous families who want to get out and about and be active together, hop on your bike and get down to 8th Lock, Grand Canal in Dublin.

This socially distanced cycle from Park West along the Grand Canal to Griffeen Park is said to be suitable for all ages and takes place on Sunday, August 23 from 10.45am to 1.30pm. The event is free.

Organisers, the Dublin Cycling Campaign, say: “This is a fun cycle for all the family. We will meet at Grand Canal opposite Park West Business Campus at 10.45am. There is plenty of parking if you are driving to the start point. We will depart along the canal at 11am. At the Red Bridge we will head along Hayden’s Lane to Griffeen Park. Bring a picnic! We will leave the park at approximately 1pm and return to Park West.”

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Every family member must register and adhere to social distancing.

Registration can be made at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/south-dublin-family-fun-cycle-tickets-115177932296?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Concussion could increase Parkinson’s risk

Those who’ve had a concussion are more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease later in life compared to people haven’t according to a new study.

‘Associations between concussion and risk of diagnosis of psychological and neurological disorders: a retrospective population-based cohort study’, was published in Family Medicine and Community Health.

While many people recover from a concussion, which is generally caused by a head injury, there can be more long term affects.

Researchers analysed insurance data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository, which contains information on nearly every resident of the Canadian province Manitoba.

Concussion was associated with a significantly increased risk of Parkinson’s (57%), dementia (72%) ADHD (39%) and by 72% for MADs (Musculoskeletal Ambulation Disability Symptom Complex).

There was a higher risk of ADHD among females, a risk increase of 28% and MADs by 7% than males after a concussion. There was no large difference of risk between males and females regarding Parkinson’s or dementia after a concussion.

 

Overweight children influenced more by mother than father

Children who have an overweight mother are more likely to be overweight than when they have an overweight father according to a study from City, University of London.

The data, which was collected for almost 20 years, also found that male children are more likely to be overweight if both their parents are compared to female children.

Other environmental influences are also considered including: parents’ age, their mental health, smoking or alcohol consumption, socio-economic status, employment status and ethnicity.

“The transmission of obesity by both parents, the individual father or the individual mother, depend crucially upon the gender of the child,” said Professor Jofre-Bonet, “The transmission seems to be stronger for maternal than paternal overweight.”

The results are consistent with the view that if parents are overweight or obese, there is a higher chance that their children will be overweight too.