Strollerderby : ritalin

Why the puppy games are better than the Olympics

Brett Singer — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

OK, that's not true. But if you haven't seen this dopey show on Animal Planet, you're missing out on something very cute.

Here are a few highlights:

1. Commentary: "It's going to be tough to impress the judges." True – because they're goldfish. "This is like a chess match." Indeed – if chess opponents gnawed on the pieces and sniffed each others' butts. Bob Costas doesn't get lines like these.

2. No controversy: As far as we know, the opening ceremonies were real, no protesters, journalists or grandmothers were arrested, and no one is complaining about the puppy's potentially sexist costumes.

3. Who won? Who cares?: They're, you know, dogs. They have no idea where they are or what they're doing. You can still cheer for your favorite breed (the Cocker Spaniel is really cute) but at the end of the day, it's all up to the judges… who are goldfish.

4. Two words: Waterbowl Cam.

Not sure if they're going to air this again or not, if so, I highly recommend watching it. There are a bunch of video clips on Discovery.com; here's one of the Gymnastics event.

source/image: Animal Planet

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Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

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They Say: no junk food ads at the Olympics

Brett Singer — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Like 30 million plus people, I've been watching a lot of Olympics the past few days. Which means I've seen a lot of commercials from the sponsors of the Games; I think I've seen that McDonald's ad touting chicken sandwiches for breakfast (ew) at least 50 times.

Two watchdog groups, Commercial Alert and Multinational Monitor, have released a study titled, "The Commercial Games." According to AdWeek, "The study is highly critical of the sponsorship and advertising policies of the International Olympic Committee and the various sports federations and national committees under its auspices…The groups argue that the marketing of junk foods, sodas, fast-food chains and alcoholic beverages should be eliminated from the Games. Their reasoning: such products conflict with the stated purpose of the Olympics, which they say is to 'celebrate healthful living.'…Promoting such products in the widely watched Olympics…is 'unhealthful,' and particularly inappropriate 'for an event with enormous appeal to children.'" The groups slam McDonald's and Coca-Cola the hardest, saying that both companies, "run businesses centered around unhealthy food," and suggest that, "The Olympics should not lend its name and aura to help promote more consumption of these unhealthy products."

In what could be the funniest bit of corporate protestation ever, McDonald's "objected to the study's labeling of its product as 'unhealthy,'" presumably because they now offer apple slices and stuff like that. (Don't worry; you can get "low-fat caramel dipping sauce" with them.) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not accept ads from liquor companies, although beer and wine are OK. Not surprisingly, Commercial Alert and Multinational Monitor think the IOC should ban beer and wine ads as well.

The reason for all of these ads is, of course, money. According to Ad Week, there are 63 sponsors at this years' Games, which sounds like a lot, although it doesn’t say how that compares to previous years. The article quotes "brand consultant" Robert Passikoff as saying that 63 might be too many sponsors, but he defends the IOC's right to sell as many ads as they can: "The question is why should they cut back? They're making an awful lot of money on it. Why should anyone other than the consumers and the marketing folks be the arbiter of what's right and wrong? No research group should have the right to tell them who to do business with; who put them in charge?"

Is Passikoff right? Or should the IOC be more selective about whom they allow to sponsor the Olympics?

Source: AdWeek, Image: MSNBC

Protesters and journalists arrested in China (video)

Whole lotta fakin' goin' on at the opening ceremony

Team more mature than coach

Other Old Olympians

Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Like father like son

Aussie Rower keeps his kids close

Dara Torres inspired two current Olympians

Some Parenting Lessons From Michael Phelps's Mom

Gold (OK, Silver) Medal Girlcrush: Dana Torres

Volleyball hasn’t come a long way, baby

Baby survives tornado

Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets because she wanted a boy

Jon Stewart Tackles Olympic Controversies

Olympics Opening Uses One Girl's Voice, Another Girl's Face

Do All These Chinese Gymnasts Look 16 to You?

Did Michael Phelps actually win 8 medals?

Brett Singer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Usually when an athlete is accused of cheating, it's a doping issue: this year alone, at least four athletes have been caught using banned substances. But in Michael Phelps' case, there may be something else going on.

Here's the deal, as reported in the New York Times:

The race in which Phelps won his seventh medal, tying Mark Spitz and setting him up to break the record for most gold at one Olympic Games, was decided by 1/100th of a second. Despite some "controversy" (that's what the article says; I don't recall hearing anything about this when it happened) over the results of the 100-meter butterfly, the authority that oversees swimming (FINA) decided not to release video images to help "prove" that Phelps was the winner.

What does this have to do with Michael Phelps? Well, Omega is the official timekeeper of the Olympics. They are also one of Phelps' sponsors. As the New York Times puts it, "The most visible athlete at these Games is getting a paycheck from the same company whose equipment decides the outcome of Phelps’s events."

To me, this is much ado about nothing, and an attempt to create a problem where there isn't one.

In the first place, FINA doesn’t typically release images of the races, which the Times article mentions but not until the middle of the article. Second, Omega didn't make the decision, FINA did. And third… I don't know, is anyone all that upset about this? Is that because we desperately wanted Phelps to break Spitz's record? Maybe. Personally, I didn't care that much; although some of the races were a lot of fun to watch (like when we beat the French in the relay after they had said they would "crush" the U.S. team – put that in your beret, Frenchie!), by the time Phelps won his eighth gold medal I found I had a certain amount of Phelps Phatigue. That's not to take anything away from him; I just think the coverage got to be a little bit overblown.

If you want to talk about weird judging issues, what about the gymnastics, where the judges clearly favored the Chinese team? (Béla Károlyi, despite being a little bit scary, was right on with much of his analysis.) And if you want to say that there are potential conflicts of interest between certain parties at the Games, I'm sure there is plenty to talk about. I'm not sure, however, that this is an actual controversy.

On the other hand – isn't it fun to have two opinions on the same topic? – why not just release the images? The photo shown here certainly doesn't do much to dispel the notion that perhaps the end result of the race wasn't what we were told it was. Sports ethicists (there's a job I want) interviewed by the Times say that FINA should release whatever information is necessary to keep people from thinking that the results were tainted, especially in this case, since it is so high profile.

Image/source: NYTimes

Other Old Olympians

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Whole lotta fakin' goin' on at the opening ceremony

Protesters and journalists arrested in China (video)

Dara Torres inspired two current Olympians

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Gold (OK, Silver) Medal Girlcrush: Dana Torres

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Michael Phelps to endorse Frosted Flakes

Brett Singer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Maybe they should call them Phrosted Phlakes?

Once upon a time, Wheaties was the Breakfast of Champions, but now its Frosted Flakes. Michael Phelps will appear on a box of Tony the Tiger's favorite (phavorite? OK, OK, I'll stop) morning meal.

Naturally, some are upset with Phelps for choosing to endorse a sugary breakfast cereal. "In a country where childhood obesity is an alarming issue, Phelps' iconic image sharing space with Tony the Tiger sends the wrong message, experts say."

Personally, I doubt that any kid will buy Frosted Flakes because Phelps' image is on the box, although Kellogg's probably hopes I'm very wrong. And we know he did it because they offered him more money, rather than a more "moral" reason. Since swimming can't touch baseball or football in terms of the money an athlete can earn for competing, I don't think I have a problem with Michael making as much as he can while he can make it, especially since the IOC seems to be raking it in from their 63 sponsors.

source/image: NY Daily News

Protesters and journalists arrested in China (video)

Whole lotta fakin' goin' on at the opening ceremony

Team more mature than coach

Other Old Olympians

Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Like father like son

Aussie Rower keeps his kids close

Dara Torres inspired two current Olympians

Some Parenting Lessons From Michael Phelps's Mom

Gold (OK, Silver) Medal Girlcrush: Dana Torres

Volleyball hasn’t come a long way, baby

Baby survives tornado

Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets because she wanted a boy

Jon Stewart Tackles Olympic Controversies

Olympics Opening Uses One Girl's Voice, Another Girl's Face

Do All These Chinese Gymnasts Look 16 to You?

Other Old Olympians

Brett Singer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Dara Torres is 41, and Oksana Chusovitina is 33 (and saved her son from leukemia), but they aren't even close to the oldest Olympic athletes in history, or even this year. Most aren't in the more physically strenuous events, but competing in anything at their age is pretty impressive.

* Iain Murray is on the Australian Olympic sailing team, and at age 50 is making his Olympic debut. Murray is Australia's oldest Olympian; Andrew Palfrey, a teammate, is 41 and also competing in his first Olympics.

* Luan Jujie was 50 years old in 1984 when she won a Gold medal in fencing for Canada.

* Susan Nattrass is 57 and currently in Beijing on the Canadian shooting team. In 1976, she became the first woman shooter to compete in the Olympics.

* Hiroshi Hoketsu, a Japanese equestrian, made his Olympic debut in 1964 and is now back for a second time – at age 67.

* Oscar Swahn (Shooting) competed in his last Olympics in 1920 at the age of – are you ready for this? – 72. (He was planning to go in 1924 but he got sick. Wimp.) Over his career, Swahn won three gold medals, two bronze, and a silver in 1920, making him the oldest Olympic medallist ever. Fun fact: his son competed with him in 1908, 1912 and 1920.

For more, see NBCOlympics.com

Image/Source: nbcolympics.com

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Gold (OK, Silver) Medal Girlcrush: Dana Torres

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Baby survives tornado

Aussie Rower keeps his kids close

Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets because she wanted a boy

Protesters and journalists arrested in China (video)

Whole lotta fakin' goin' on at the opening ceremony

Team more mature than coach

Jon Stewart Tackles Olympic Controversies

Olympics Opening Uses One Girl's Voice, Another Girl's Face

Do All These Chinese Gymnasts Look 16 to You?

Like father like son

Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Brett Singer — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 GMT

We've seen quite a bit of Michael Phelps' mom Debbie in Beijing. Bob Costas interviewed her and her record-setting spawn after Mike beat Mark Spitz's record by winning of eight medals in one Olympic games.

But Phelps pop, Fred, isn't there. Where is he? He's at home, in Baltimore. Watching the games on TV.

According to multiple sources, "Fred and Debbie separated for good in 1993, and the divorce was finalized the next year, when Michael was 9." This site implies that Fred "walked out" on Debbie and Michael, which I guess is possible, but I don't know since this is the only source of that I've found.

The same site claims to have a photo of Fred Phelps, but I think the photo on Cleveland.com is more accurate.

That article, written by Tim Warsinskey, asks the question, "Are you wondering what I'm wondering?" Tim wanted to know where Phelps' dad is; as a reason, he says that he is a father himself. I'm a dad as well, but I have to admit that "where's Michael's father?" isn't a question I asked as I watched the Olympics.

For his part, Fred said, "This is just about Michael. This is his glory, his time to shine, and I want him to get everything he wants." So even if he did "walk out" on his family (not saying he did, just saying if) at least he's not trying to claim that he's the reason Michael won all that gold.

image: Cleveland.com

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Gold (OK, Silver) Medal Girlcrush: Dana Torres

Volleyball hasn’t come a long way, baby

Baby survives tornado

Aussie Rower keeps his kids close

Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets because she wanted a boy

Protesters and journalists arrested in China (video)

Whole lotta fakin' goin' on at the opening ceremony

Team more mature than coach

Jon Stewart Tackles Olympic Controversies

Olympics Opening Uses One Girl's Voice, Another Girl's Face

Do All These Chinese Gymnasts Look 16 to You?

Like father like son

Some Parenting Lessons From Michael Phelps's Mom

Jen Chaney — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:02:00 GMT

Deborah Phelps -- mother of swimming stallion and Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps -- could teach us all a few lessons about parenting.

As this New York Times article notes, she didn't have it easy as a mom. Following a divorce, she raised three kids, including Michael, as a single parent. And when the budding athlete was in fifth grade, she had to deal with the possibility that he might have A.D.H.D. But she did several things right, as the following list -- again, based on the Times story -- indicates. It's a reminder that we all have the ability to bring up children who can maximize their potential, no matter what anyone else says.

1. She Ignored Nay-Sayers. As a school teacher herself, Deborah Phelps listened and took it to heart when teachers told her that Michael was having problems in school. But she didn't accept one's assessment that: "Your son will never be able to focus on anything." She heard it, but she didn't accept it. Instead, she focused on how to help Michael. (P.S. That teacher has to feel pretty stupid right about now.)

2. She Took the Advice of Medical Professionals. When the family doctor said he thought Michael had A.D.H.D., she put the boy on Ritalin to see if it made a difference. She says it did improve his ability to focus but not as significantly as she might have hoped. Still, she was willing to take a doctor's advice, then resort to Plan B. And that meant...

3. She Listened to Her Child. After two years on Ritalin, Michael said he didn't want to take it anymore because he always had to go to the nurse at lunch for his pill, and that made him uncomfortable. After considering that and again consulting with the doctor, she took him off the meds. Obviously kids don't always know what's best for them, but allowing him to play a role in making decisions for himself surely created a level of trust between Michael and his mom.

4. She Played to His Strengths. When Michael couldn't focus on reading, she gave him the sports pages to read. And when he clearly proved he could excel and focus on swimming, she encouraged his gifts. As a result, he is one of the all-time greats (if not the greatest) in swimming history.

Deborah Phelps has every reason to be enormously proud of her son. But she can be pretty proud of herself, too. Under trying circumstances and while dealing with plenty of self-doubt (she still says she's not sure putting him on Ritalin was the right choice), Deborah Phelps did a hell of a job raising that kid.

Can a Child's Diet Relieve Hyperactivity?

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:37:00 GMT

Norwegian scientist Karl Ludvig Reichelt posited a theory in the mid-90s that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) might be linked to an inability to break down a certain kind of protein in milk.

A number of families in Oslo removed milk from their children's diets and saw a marked improvement in their hyperactivity, without the use of medication.

MLB Overrun With Hyper Players

Amy S.F. Lutz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:34:00 GMT

With the steroid scandal rocking the major leagues, it seems hardly newsworthy to mention the less dramatic, though also performance-enhancing drug that many players are using - legally.

Although amphetamines are prohibited by MLB rules, players can take other stimulants, such as ritalin or adderall, if they can prove the need for a "therapeutic-use exemption" due to ADD. Stimulants boost athletic performance because they "mask pain and increase energy and reaction time."

And what do you know? According to Slate, over the course of one year, player claims of ADD jumped from 28 to 103. That's significantly above the rate of ADD seen in the general population, although that rate is also increasing.

Of course, to be fair, I suppose we need to consider the possibility that boys with ADD are disproportionately drawn to baseball over other sports. Baseball, the slowest moving of all the major sports, the only one in which players spend half the games sitting in a dugout and . . . chewing.

I'm doubtful. I've got no statistics to back me up on this, but I'm doubtful.

ADHD Drugs Aren't All That

Karen Murphy — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:15:00 GMT

A new study of the effects of long-term use of ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Concerta indicates that the drugs when used over a several-year period may be no more effective than therapy without drugs. Even worse, the study found that long-term use of these drugs may inhibit kids' growth. Yikes: short kids with even shorter attention spans, and the frustration about both to match.

The new study negates an earlier one which claimed that the drugs were better than therapy, but only looked at a one-year treatment period rather than three.

Here's a nice quote: "There's no indication that medication's better than nothing in the long run."

Makes you feel good about how our kids are being medicated, doesn't it?

And I'm even more concerned about the side effects that the drugs seem to be having, slowing kids' growth in terms of both height and weight. Short adults are known to consider themselves less happy and less healthy than their taller counterparts, so adding that onto the effects of ADHD and how it is perceived only adds up to trouble, in my mind. (We won't even talk about the thing that pedophiles tend to be shorter than average, too.)

My confidence in the medical community continues to diminish with news like this. It sure seems like medicine likes to throw drugs at people in a vain attempt to "fix" them, doesn't it?

Therapist Keeps the Attention of ADHD Fathers

Madeline Holler — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:21:00 GMT

Move over Ritalin. There’s a new ADHD treatment in town.

A therapist has come up with a simple way to help treat kids with behavioral, emotional and learning problems.

Soccer therapy with Dad.

As a graduate student, Gregory Fabiano noticed a pattern at summer camps for kids with ADHD and their parents. The fathers would bring the kids to the soccer matches and watch. When sports time was over and talk therapy ready to start, moms would drive up and wave good-bye to Dad and the kids. Even those few fathers who braved the open emotions of sad adults sitting in a circle didn’t stick with this traditional form of therapy for long.

So Fabiano developed a program: COACHES, Coaching Our Acting-Out Children: Heightening Essential Skills. The kids play soccer games, the dads right along with them. Later, when the kids are working on soccer skills, the fathers meet to learn parenting strategies for their children’s particular challenges.

The fathers stay involved in their kids’ therapy, they learn to parent their children, who are learning coping skills of their own. And the moms? I guess they're on the sidelines arranging Capri Suns and carrot sticks.

Kids of Divorce Prescribed More Ritalin

Karen Murphy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:52:00 GMT

A sobering finding came from a recent Canadian study of kids from divorced families: the rate at which they were prescribed Ritalin was double that of kids from "intact" families. While I'm skeptical about interpretations of statistical information that confuse causation with correlation, as the parent of divorced kids myself, I've got to pay attention and investigate when it's suggested that my kids may have issues that can be traced to the stress and transition pains they're going through as a result of divorce.

Ritalin is often prescribed, and many would say over-prescribed, to kids evidencing symptoms of ADHD and purportedly provides a calming effect. But kids going through divorce or any kind of stress may have the same symptoms; does it work for them and is medicating the symptom really helping? I'd much rather provide support and understanding to my kid, or even therapy, than go with medication for what is likely a temporary situation. That's not to say that some kids don't benefit from Ritalin, but the fact that more kids of divorce are taking it doesn't tell me that they need it. In fact, it tells me that it's likely that their real problems are being swept under the rug.