DES MOINES, Iowa – The food choices of some new parents across Iowa and the nation are changing, as those meal decisions could impact whether their child develops a food allergy. For years health professionals suggested that parents withhold allergenic foods until one-year of age, but emerging research suggests that may be counterproductive.

Dana Morris, regional development director for the Midwest with the group Food Allergy Research and Education, cites a study published earlier this year in The New England Journal of Medicine. “Instead of withholding peanuts, which usually is the common practice, they’re suggesting that you actually give it to your infant, especially if there’s known allergies,” she points out. “So I think that the directive is starting to come down through the pediatricians, and of course, it’s, ‘talk to your pediatrician first,’ before all those decisions are made.”

The study of more than 600 children considered at high risk found that only 3 percent of those children who regularly consumed peanuts had a peanut allergy at age 5, compared to 17 percent of those children who avoided peanuts completely.

Overall, it’s estimated that about 8 percent of children have food allergies, and while some will outgrow their sensitivities, Morris notes that there is also a growing trend of adult-onset food allergies. “So we tell people, anybody can develop a food allergy at anytime,” she stresses. “Personally, myself, I developed them when I was 25 and I didn’t have any food allergies.” Morris adds the most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat and other grains with gluten.

(Iowa News Service)

Police in Creston have released a report detailing four arrests and three incidents. Officials say 35-year old Nicholas Arthur Hardisty, of Orient, was arrested Monday night in the Manor Drive parking lot, on charges of Driving While Suspended, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Hardisty was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond. That same evening, 29-year old Anna Rebecca Rufenacht, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense and Neglect of a Child. Her bond was set at $2,000.

On Saturday, Creston Police arrested 30-year old Mitchell Kenneth Venteicher, of Jefferson, for Driving While Barred, and Possession of Methamphetamine. His bond was set at $2,000. And, last Friday, 24-year old Jacob William Anderson, of Creston, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. He was cited and released on a promise to appear later, in court.

Creston Police said also, a resident at 600 S. Pine Street reported someone entered a house he is working on at 508 N. Walnut, and stole copper pipe and wiring, valued at $50. The theft took place sometime between April 15th and May 20th. A resident at 302 N. Division Street reported the back window of her 2003 Hyundai was broken out, while the car was parked at her residence. The loss was estimated at $150. The incident took place sometime between 10-p.m. May 22nd and 9:35-a.m. May 23rd. And, a resident of 208 S. Pine Street in Creston reported to police his Snapper lawnmower with bagger was stolen from his residence sometime between 10-p.m. May 24th and 11-a.m. May 25th. The loss was estimated at $300.