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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2012)
October 24, 2012 Il!‘ ^Jortlanb (Observer Page 7 Marriage Matters PSU Professor says marriage is good for us Married couples, on average, are more likely to be healthier, happier and better off financially than single people, no matter how they met or their type of marriage. That’s the conclusion of Port land State University Professor Karen Seccombe in her new text book, “Exploring Marriage and Fami lies.” In her review of the latest mar riage research, Seccombe found that the benefits of marriage are deep, far-reaching and true for men and women, straight and gay, young and old. Married people benefit economi cally from pooled income, have longer life expectancies, and are less likely to die from the leading causes of death, including coronary heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and can cer. They also report being happier than single, cohabiting, separated or divorced people. “Certainly not all marriages are good ones, but many are,” she says. “And those marriages can increase your happiness, because you’ve got a partner to share the psycho logical load.” In states where same-sex mar riage is legal, married gay couples experience the same advantages, she says. "Same-sex couples are fighting for the right to marry because they, too, know that marriage matters," Seccombe says. H ealth W atch Powerful Tools For Caregivers - 6- week educational series designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for rela tives or friends with chronic illness. Class size is limited, and registration is required. Call 503-413-8018. Leg Alert Screening -- Check for peripheral arterial disease with this safe, simple screening using ankle and arm blood pressure. The fee is $40. To schedule an appointment, call503-251-6137. Smoke-Free Support Group -- Meets Mondays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call 503-256-4000. (Associated Press/Herald & Review, Lisa Morrison) Park director Zach Shields, right, and his crew for the day look for produce such as tomatoes to harvest from the organic garden at Partnership Park in Decatur, Illinois. Organic01 Not CHICAGO ( AP)— Parents who want to reduce their kids' expo sure to pesticides may seek out organic fruits and vegetables, but they aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious than conventional foods, the nation's leading pedia tricians group says in its first ad vice on organics. Science hasn't proven that eat ing pesticide-free food makes people any healthier, the Ameri can Academy of Pediatrics said. "Theoretically there could be JLW| negative effects, especially in young children with growing brains," but rigorous scientific evidence is lack ing, said Dr. Janet Silverstein, a co author of the academy's new report and a pediatric endocrinologist at the U n iv e rsity o f F lo rid a in Gainesville. "We just can't say for certain that organics is better without long-term controlled studies," she said. The report was published online Monday in Pediatrics and echoes a Stanford University study released Pediatricians’ report says organics not proven to be any healthier than conventional foods last month. That research concluded But the pediatricians group says that while eating organic fruits and higher prices on organic foods might vegetables can reduce pesticide lead some parents to buy fewer fruits exposure, the amount measured in and vegetables — not a good strat conventionally grown produce was egy since both have health benefits within safety limits. including reducing risks for obe Since organic foods tend to be sity, heart disease and some can costlier, a good strategy for penny- cers. pinching parents concerned about Parents should aim to provide pesticides is to buy only organic their families a diet rich in fruits and versions of foods with the most vegetables, whether organic or not, pesticide residue — including along with plenty of whole grains apples, peaches, strawberries and and low-fat or fat-free dairy prod celery, Silverstein said. ucts, the report says. $1 K SEATTLE, „a betw een X U portlaad A small price to pay For total relaxation Osteoporosis Screening - An ul trasound bone density screening with personalized education; fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-261-6611. öockOd Only at AmtrakCasc8des.com/3day 1, ASCADIX
