Children Health Information

The health of our children is one of the top health concerns people have. There are major health issues that are sometimes unique to children.

Children health concerns range from cancer, obesity, juvenile diabetes, mental health and more.

Below is a sample of the informative children's health information found in this section:

Childhood Obesity
The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.1%. 

A child being overweight is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by genetics and health. An estimated 61% of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. 

Children who are overweight are at a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. 

Overweight young people are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. 

Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases.

Have you and your family lived in an older home with asbestos insulation?

ASBESTOS AND CHILDRENS  MESOTHELIOMA
Children being exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.  Children with malignant mesothelioma have played or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos. After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a long time for malignant mesothelioma to occur. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include the following:

a) Living with a person who works near asbestos.
b) Being exposed to a certain virus.

SIGNS OF CHILDRENS MESOTHELIOMA
Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.  Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

a) Trouble breathing.
b) Pain under the rib cage.
c) Pain or swelling in the abdomen.
d) Lumps in the abdomen.
e) Weight loss for no known reason.

Childhood Vaccines - Get Them!
Immunizations are one of the best ways to protect children from a multitude of serious diseases. Children in the United States routinely get vaccines that protect them from more than a dozen diseases. Some vaccines are given in combination with others. Most vaccines require multiple doses given at various intervals.

For the sake of your child's health, take the time to understand the benefits and risks of vaccines.  The majority of vaccines protect against serious, potentially fatal diseases that are most likely to occur when children are very young. The immune systems of infants are still developing and may need help fighting serious infection. If we wait until the child is older, we may return to an era of high infant mortality, and many children may never reach school age.

Children's Diet - You Can Start Today!
Parents play a big role in shaping children's eating habits. When parents eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and sugar and high in fiber, children learn to like these foods as well. It may take 10 or more tries before a child accepts a new food, so do not give up if your child does not like a new food right away.

Parents have an effect on children's physical activity habits as well. You can set a good example by going for a walk or bike ride after dinner instead of watching TV. Playing ball or jumping rope with your children shows them that being active is fun.

With many parents working outside the home, child care providers also help shape children's eating and activity habits. Make sure your child care provider offers well-balanced meals and snacks, as well as plenty of active play time.

If your child is in school, find out more about the school's breakfast and lunch programs and ask to have input into menu choices, or help your child pack a lunch that includes a variety of foods. Get involved in the parent-teacher association (PTA) to support physical education and after-school sports.

Your child's friends and the media can also affect his or her eating and activity choices. Children may go to fast food places or play video games with their friends instead of playing tag, basketball, or other active games. TV commercials try to persuade kids to choose high-fat snacks and high-sugar drinks and cereals. When parents help their children be aware of peer and media pressures, youngsters are more likely to make healthy choices outside the home.

All children benefit from healthy eating and physical activity. A balanced diet and being physically active help children:
Grow.
Learn.
Build strong bones and muscles.
Have energy.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Get plenty of nutrients.
Feel good about themselves.

Children's Oral Health
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children. This preventable health problem begins early: 28 percent of children aged 2-5 years have already had decay in their primary (baby) teeth.

By the age of 11, approximately half of children have experienced decay, and by the age of 19, tooth decay in the permanent teeth affects two-thirds (68 percent) of adolescents. Low-income children have twice as much untreated decay as children in families with higher incomes.  This may result in pain, dysfunction, underweight, and poor appearance-problems that can greatly reduce a child's capacity to succeed in the educational environment.