(November 20, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From the Netherlands - According to research in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, smoking during pregnancy may lead to vascular damage in children. In a study of over 700 people, researchers found that the children of those who smoked had a greater carotid artery intima-media thickness than children of parents who did not smoke. In addition, the offspring of smoking mothers were more likely to weigh more and have higher blood pressure in adolescence.

From Ottawa - According to research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, one-third of those diagnosed with asthma may not actually have the condition. In a study of nearly 500 asthma patients, researchers found that 30% had no evidence of the disease, though many had been taking asthma medication for years. The researchers suspect that some physicians are making a diagnosis based on symptoms, but are not ordering a test to confirm their diagnosis.

And finally, from Washington - According to researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research, banning fast-food ads on television may help fight childhood obesity. After studying data on nearly 13,000 children, the researchers concluded that a ban on fast-food ads could lead to an 18% reduction in the number of overweight children. So far, this type of regulation has only been enacted in Sweden, Norway and Finland.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.