Posts Tagged ‘Childhood Obesity’

Making Children’s Health a Priority

December 26th, 2009

One of the biggest problems affecting our Nation’s children today is the spreading epidemic of childhood obesity. Obesity in our children is one of the greatest leading health concerns for today’s parents. Due to the lack of activity and an uncontrolled diet, being overweight has contributed to the wide spread danger of the health of our children. Making children’s health a priority, fitness training Dallas can help you teach your children proper nutrition and exercise skills.

There are many factors that affect our children’s lack of activity today. Schools have reduced fitness programs, television has replaced the babysitter and is a form of entertainment, and modern technology has introduced the computer and video games. All of these activities require little if no physical movement at all. This sedentary lifestyle is a major issue for the health of our children.

It is our job as parents to motivate and guide our children in order to teach them techniques that they can use to live happier, healthier lives. Children learn by example, so as parents, it is our job to be role models and set positive examples. Fitness training Dallas can help you get your kids started in the right direction. » Read more: Making Children’s Health a Priority

Diabetes in Children and Youth

December 22nd, 2009

Diabetes is growing by 3 percent each year for children and youth November 14 is celebrated each year as Children’s Day and World Diabetes Day. This year the theme is “Diabetes in children and youth”. Let me take this opportunity to write about diabetes in children. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that affect children. It can strike children of any age, even toddlers and babies. If not detected during early childhood, the disease can have deadly consequences or result in serious damage to the brain. Diabetic child is often completely overlooked. This is the time miss-diagnosed as flu or doctors fail to diagnose it at all. Every parent, teacher, doctor involved in child care should be familiar with the warning signs and be alert to the threat. The warning signs are Frequent urination, Excessive thirst, Increased hunger, Weight, Fatigue, Lack of interest and concentration, Blurred vision, Vomiting and abdominal pain (often mistaken as the flu). In children with type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may be moderate or not. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Diabetes occurs as a result of problems in production and supply of the hormone insulin in the body. The body needs insulin to use energy that is stored in food. When a person has diabetes their body cannot create insulin (Type 1diabetes) or their bodies cannot use the insulin made effectively (type 2diabetes). Type 1 diabetes is most common type of diabetes in children. However, as a result of increasing childhood obesity and always lifestyles, type 2 diabetes is also increasing rapidly in children and youth. In some countries type 2diabetes has become the most common type of disease in children. Type 2 diabetes in children is probably under-diagnosed because it may have no symptoms. To prevent Type 2 diabetes in children, emphasis should be laid on physical activity, less frequent activities such as television and views of a healthy diet. If diabetes is diagnosed, paying close attention to all cardiovascular risk factors, as well as prevention is important. We need to fit in the modern industrial city on a healthy way. Diabetes is a serious health problem and expensive and there is much that can do to reduce its impact. The earliest description of diabetes from the Philippines to 2,500 years ago and the role of obesity, frequent behaviour and dietary factors are known in ancient times. What is needed now is concerted public health action against the risk factors for diabetes. We can do our bit to prevent diabetes and other diseases. Food for children with diabetes is a minor consideration. A dietician will be able to tell you more but it is certain essential that your child has a healthy, balanced diet, high in complex carbohydrates and fibre. It is necessary to be careful Sweets but it need not be 100 per cent from the menu. Some of the foods planning of goals for children with diabetes are the same as for other children. They must eat food that will help them have good general health, normal growth and a healthy weight. But children with diabetes also have to balance their carbohydrate intake with their insulin and activity levels to maintain their levels of blood sugar under control. In addition, children with diabetes should also eat foods that help maintain the level of lipids or fats in the blood (such as Cholesterol and triglycerides) in a healthy range. Food this way may help prevent some of the long-term health problem that can cause diabetes. These days, with huge amounts of food choices, we need to teach them to read the labels of food, especially the carbohydrate content. They must understand the serving size and how to change one food for another. Children with diabetes face the same challenges of food everyone – largely sticking to healthy eating habits over time. It can be difficult with so many temptations, so it is important to prepare food that your child enjoys. The food may make you plan vary depending on your child’s diabetes, but to help your child Dietician, you can tailor meals to planning your child’s food preferences and eating habits

3 Health Tips for Your Kids

December 22nd, 2009

The health of children is a major issue in the US and UK not only for each individual family but also for the governments. More and more children are falling prey to bad eating habits and are suffering from childhood obesity. What can be done to ensure that they don’t end up developing a huge potbelly and protect their health. Here are 3 health tips for your kids to help them avoid obesity problems in both childhood and when they become adults. 1. Start training them early:Training your kids on how to lead a healthy life should start early. When they are very young teach them healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Avoid putting sugary products on their soother or giving them sweet snacks and sugary drinks just for an easy life. If you train them in good health right from an early age, they would be able to make health choices for themselves when they become older. Some parents indulge their children with unhealthy foods when they are young and then can’t understand why they won’t eat fresh fruits and vegetables when they are older. Parents should encourage children to eat healthy foods right from the start!2. Eat as a family:A family which eats together stays healthy together. It is common practice nowadays for parents to eat separately or in front of the television set. It is far better to sit round the table as a family so that you can ensure that they are following the healthy eating habits that you have taught them. Eating as a family has the added advantage of each person having the opportunity to discuss their day and for you to know if there are any problems to be addressed. Share all your ups and downs!Children also learn about social skills required for when they grow up. It has been found in the UK that a number of children entering primary school for the first time do not even know how to use a knife and fork because they are so used to eating pizza or other finger foods in front of the TV. How sad is that?3. Be a role model for your kids:How can you expect your kids to follow your advice if you do not practice what you preach. Practice what you preach; your kids too will follow you! Children, especially very young children imitate their parents and copy what they do. If they see you following a healthy and perfect lifestyle they will more than likely, do the same. Keep in mind that kids, even though younger in age than you, are not fools! They see and understand more than what you think. By walking the talk and living a healthy lifestyle yourself, you will not only serve as a role model for your kids, but also improve your own health condition!Get them involved with meal planning, preparing the meal, and cooking it with close supervision and according to their age. Teach then well and let them make healthy choices for their own lunch boxes. Even if your kids follow any unhealthy eating habit, you can rectify it early before it turns into a bad habit!Follow these three easy tips to ensure that your kids have the knowledge to be able to start to live healthily throughout their entire life!