KEEPING OUR CHILDREN HEALTHY

If you look at recent health information it states repeatedly that our children are becoming increasingly unhealthy. The major culprit is excessive weight. This is one of the first warning signs of health problems. We know excessive weight increases the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Currently over one half of American adults are overweight.

Some studies have proved that children who are overweight at the age of eight are likely to be overweight as adults. Our children are heavier now than ever before. Children ages 6-11 are three times as likely to be overweight today as they were thirty years ago. Overweight adolescents age 12-17 have nearly doubled since the early 1970’s.

Even though this is difficult to hear, it is important information to know. More children are being treated for diabetes and hypertension, diseases that were once relegated to adults. Conditions that we associate with adults such as back and joint pain can also be attributed to being overweight.

With the combination of nutrition and exercise we can increase our children’s chances of good health. Changing dietary habits and adding even small amounts of consistent exercise will help to increase the immune system, lower the chances of heart disease, and diabetes.

What can we do? There are simple changes that we can make such as limiting portions. Offering better choices for snacks offer more fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks. Choose water instead of soft drinks and high sugar fruit drinks. Watch those labels. Stick to the outside aisles in the grocery stores for more nutritious foods.

Encourage less television, video game, and computer time. We have to get back outdoors! Getting our children involved in sports or outdoor activities can help increase their activity levels and provide them with necessary exercise.

There is no better legacy can we offer our children than that of good health? Let’s keep our children healthy! Learning more about good nutrition now, can create healthy habits for a lifetime. There is more information available at www.keepingkidshealthy.com

Cynthia Scurry, RN School Nurse

ALL OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COBB COUNTY SCHOOL HEALTH POLICIES. THIS IS GENERAL HEALTHCARE INFORMATION, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS SUBSTITUTE OR IN PLACE OF CONTACTING YOUR CHILD’S HEALTHCARE PROVIDER