Eat your vegetables, don’t drink too much soda, get some exercise. We all know what we should be doing, but few of us actually stick to what we know. In fact, it is rare that you will find a family that sticks to a healthy diet, limits the amount of time in front of the computer or TV and encourages regular exercise. Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic in the Unites States.
According to data from CDC and NHANES surveys from 1976-1980 and 2003-2006, obesity rates in children from 2-5 years old has risen from 5.0% to 12.4%, 6-11 years old from 6.5%-17.0% and in children from 12-19 years old from 5.0%-17.6%! This drastic raise in obesity rates is increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol) and Type 2 (Adult onset) Diabetes in children.
Several factors are contributing to the increase in these obesity rates. First of all, there is a drastic imbalance between the amount of calories consumed and calories burned on a daily basis. High caloric foods such as fast foods and those which are processed have little nutritional value and are unable to be broken down easily by the body. Foods and drinks with high sugar content are easily converted to fat. Also, most children lead a sedentary lifestyle. One study found that children between the ages of 8-18 years old spend a little over 3 hours per day watching T.V., DVD’s, playing video games or spending time on the computer.
Environmental and behavioral factors are also contributing to the obesity rates in children. Young children are easily influenced at home, in school and their community. It is essential that as parents, you give your children the proper guidance and healthy eating habits. Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of a family meal and parents like the time spent with their children. This is also a great way to introduce health eating habits. Children who are raised in families that have regular meals together have been shown to be more likely to eat more fruits, vegetables and grains, are less likely to snack on unhealthy foods and are even less likely to use alcohol and smoke.
Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are five of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits:
1)Have regular family meals.
2)Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks
3)Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
4)Avoid battles over food.
5)Involve the kids in the process
By making some simple changes in your family eating habits, you are greatly reducing the risk of poor health for your children, now and in the future.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Should my children see a Chiropractor?
It is all too often that I am adjusting a child and another nearby patient says to me “I had no idea that you can adjust children, why do they need chiropractic care?”. Well, in my opinion, all children should be adjusted! Many spinal problems that affect adults began as early as birth. Even “natural” child birth places significant stress on the spinal column and developing nervous system. Theses stresses on the nervous system have often been traced to be directly related to common infantile disorders such as colic, nursing difficulties, chronic ear infections, sleep disturbances and allergic reactions. As the infant grows, learning to hold their head upright, sitting, crawling and walking, all pose an opportunity in spinal development where minor trauma may adversely affect spinal alignment and the nervous system.
As your children grow up, they learn new skills such as riding a bike, playing sports and interactive video games, all of which carry the possibility of causing mild spinal misalignments (subluxations). If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Because the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of all systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal and immune system; any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference.
Through a thorough case history and examination, chiropractors are able to determine if subluxations are present. Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit your child’s size and weight. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. In fact, most parents tell me that their children look forward to their next visit and really enjoy the treatment! They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.
So, like I said at the beginning of this article, it is imperative to have all children checked for spinal misalignment. Many of you reading this article have experienced the power of chiropractic care, not just for pain relief, but for when you have been sick or run down, suffering from allergies or asthma. Give your children every advantage that you can to allow them to grow up as health and happy as possible.
As your children grow up, they learn new skills such as riding a bike, playing sports and interactive video games, all of which carry the possibility of causing mild spinal misalignments (subluxations). If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Because the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of all systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal and immune system; any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference.
Through a thorough case history and examination, chiropractors are able to determine if subluxations are present. Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit your child’s size and weight. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. In fact, most parents tell me that their children look forward to their next visit and really enjoy the treatment! They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.
So, like I said at the beginning of this article, it is imperative to have all children checked for spinal misalignment. Many of you reading this article have experienced the power of chiropractic care, not just for pain relief, but for when you have been sick or run down, suffering from allergies or asthma. Give your children every advantage that you can to allow them to grow up as health and happy as possible.
Pediatric Chiropractics
As the weather warms up, it comes time to dust off that catcher’s mitt, clean those soccer cleats and get out the bathing suits. There is a sense of excitement in the air. One that can only be described as Spring and Summer. During this time of year, many families will spend countless hours at the baseball diamond, soccer field, swimming pool and even the playground. But, did you know that this is also a time of the year when many new injuries can occur in your children?
In the United States, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and about 3 million injuries occur each year, which cause some loss of time and participation. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains. Obviously, some sports are more dangerous than others. For example, contact sports such as football can be expected to result in a higher number of injuries than a non-contact sport such as swimming. However, all types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part. Did you know that most organized sports-related injuries (about 60 percent) occur during practice and not the actual game? Also, children who are less developed than a more mature child of the same age and weight are more at risk for injury. Hormones even have an affect of injury rate in children. Before puberty, boys and girls carry approximately the risk of sports related injuries. However, during and after puberty, boys are at a greater risk.
In preparation for this exciting time of year, parents must take precautions to reduce the risk of traumatic and overuse injuries in their children. Everyone knows that proper warm ups, stretching and cool downs are essential. But, did you know that dehydration is a major cause of muscle injury. Sports and other vigorous activities can cause excessive fluid loss from perspiration. Sodium depletion has also been associated with muscle injury. Loss of sodium, the most abundant chemical constituent of body fluids outside the cell, is usually a function of dehydration. To reduce the risk of injury due to dehydration, follow these simple rules.
1)No soda! Sugar will increase the rate of dehydration.
2)Drink 4-6 8oz glasses of water per day minimum.
3)Mix your favorite sports drink 50/50 with water to replace electrolytes including sodium.
Another simple step that you can take to help reduce the risk of injury is to have your child check by a qualified pediatric chiropractor. Probably more than any other health profession, chiropractic’s approach to health closely relates to the needs of the athlete. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops and positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the structural system. Pediatric chiropractors give special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, minimum risk of injury and fast recovery. Many world class and Olympic athletes, as well as most professional sports teams, have retained sports chiropractors to provide care to enhance their performance.
Call our office today to set up a consultation with Dr. Beck to assess and correct the possible risk of injuries that your children may face this sports season. Dr. Beck is a board certified diplomat in clinical chiropractic pediatrics.
In the United States, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and about 3 million injuries occur each year, which cause some loss of time and participation. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains. Obviously, some sports are more dangerous than others. For example, contact sports such as football can be expected to result in a higher number of injuries than a non-contact sport such as swimming. However, all types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part. Did you know that most organized sports-related injuries (about 60 percent) occur during practice and not the actual game? Also, children who are less developed than a more mature child of the same age and weight are more at risk for injury. Hormones even have an affect of injury rate in children. Before puberty, boys and girls carry approximately the risk of sports related injuries. However, during and after puberty, boys are at a greater risk.
In preparation for this exciting time of year, parents must take precautions to reduce the risk of traumatic and overuse injuries in their children. Everyone knows that proper warm ups, stretching and cool downs are essential. But, did you know that dehydration is a major cause of muscle injury. Sports and other vigorous activities can cause excessive fluid loss from perspiration. Sodium depletion has also been associated with muscle injury. Loss of sodium, the most abundant chemical constituent of body fluids outside the cell, is usually a function of dehydration. To reduce the risk of injury due to dehydration, follow these simple rules.
1)No soda! Sugar will increase the rate of dehydration.
2)Drink 4-6 8oz glasses of water per day minimum.
3)Mix your favorite sports drink 50/50 with water to replace electrolytes including sodium.
Another simple step that you can take to help reduce the risk of injury is to have your child check by a qualified pediatric chiropractor. Probably more than any other health profession, chiropractic’s approach to health closely relates to the needs of the athlete. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops and positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the structural system. Pediatric chiropractors give special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, minimum risk of injury and fast recovery. Many world class and Olympic athletes, as well as most professional sports teams, have retained sports chiropractors to provide care to enhance their performance.
Call our office today to set up a consultation with Dr. Beck to assess and correct the possible risk of injuries that your children may face this sports season. Dr. Beck is a board certified diplomat in clinical chiropractic pediatrics.
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