Researchers at Duke University have found a new way to combat childhood obesity: reading.

Experts there had young obese girls who were already in a comprehensive weight loss program read a book that emphasized healthy lifestyle changes and positive role models.

After six months, the researchers found the girls who read the book had slightly lower BMI scores than those who didn't.

While the weight difference wasn't extreme, experts say any decrease in BMI among obese adolescents is positive because during this stage of life they're normally rapidly gaining weight.

The book was called "Lake Rescue" by Beacon Street Press.

And in other medical news…
Adding a fan to the nursery may lower the risk for sudden infant death syndrome, according to a new study.

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente studied data from interviews with 185 mothers whose children died from SIDS and compared them to responses from over 300 randomly selected mothers.

They found infants who were in high-risk situations like they were sleeping on their stomachs or sharing a bed had a reduced risk for SIDS if their room had a fan in it.

In fact, using a fan during sleep lowered the risk for SIDS by 72 percent.

Experts say proven methods like laying a child on their back for sleep, using a pacifier and firm bedding should still be used at all times.

Experts suspect keeping the room well ventilated may lower the risk of re-breathing carbon dioxide but more research is needed.

Children were more likely to die from SIDS if they were on their stomach, didn't use a pacifier, had bedding or clothing covering their head, slept on a soft surface or shared a bed with someone other than a parent.