“SPORTS ARE FUN”: A Guide for the Discussion of Sport-Related Films

Sport participation is an important part of the development of children and adolescents in the United States. Due to the popularity of sport-related films, coaches, athletic trainers, and parents have used these films to both educate and motivate pediatric athletes. The objective of this study was to develop a discussion guide template based on common positive and negative themes depicted in sport-related films, and demonstrate the application of this discussion guide template to a select number of sport-related films released from 2014 to 2018. A discussion guide template (“SPORTS ARE FUN”) was developed by the co-investigators, reflecting common themes of “ Sportsmanship, Participation for All, Obstacles, Relationships, Teamwork, Setting Realistic Goals, Academics, Responsibility, Exercise/Nutrition/Rest/Drugs/Performance Enhancing Drugs, Fun, Unrelenting Spirit, and “ No Pain, No Gain.” The authors hope that pediatric health care providers, athletic coaches/staff, and parents can utilize this discussion guide template in the education and development of children and adolescents who participate in sports. </jats:p

Neurodevelopmental Delay Diagnosis Rates Are Increased in a Region with Aerial Pesticide Application

A number of studies have implicated pesticides in childhood developmental delay (DD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The influence of the route of pesticide exposure on neurodevelopmental delay is not well defined. To study this factor, we examined ASD/DD diagnoses rates in an area near our regional medical center that employs yearly aerial pyrethroid pesticide applications to combat mosquito-borne encephalitis. The aim of this study was to determine if areas with aerial pesticide exposure had higher rates of ASD/DD diagnoses. This regional study identified higher rates of ASD/DD diagnoses in an area with aerial pesticides application. Zip codes with aerial pyrethroid exposure were 37% more likely to have higher rates of ASD/DD (adjusted RR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.06–1.78, p = 0.02). A Poisson regression model controlling for regional characteristics (poverty, pesticide use, population density, and distance to medical center), subject characteristics (race and sex), and local birth characteristics (prematurity, low birthweight, and birth rates) identified a significant relationship between aerial pesticide use and ASD/DD rates. The relationship between pesticide application and human neurodevelopment deserves additional study to develop safe and effective methods of mosquito prevention, particularly as communities develop plans for Zika virus control