Your Kids Health Guide & Information Center!
Your child's health includes physical, mental and social
well-being. Most parents know the basics of keeping children
healthy, like offering them healthy foods, making sure they
get enough sleep and exercise and insuring their safety.
It is also important for children to get regular checkups
with their health care provider. These visits are a chance
to check your child's development. They are also a good
time to catch or prevent problems.
Other than checkups, school-age children should be seen
for
- Significant weight gain or loss
- Sleep problems or change in behavior
- Fever higher than 102
- Rashes or skin infections
- Frequent sore throats
- Breathing problems
Exercise for Children
Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at
least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise
helps children
- Feel less stressed
- Feel better about themselves
- Feel more ready to learn in school
- Keep a healthy weight
- Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints
- Sleep better at night
As kids spend more time watching TV, they spend less time
running and playing. Parents should limit TV, video game
and computer time. Parents can set a good example by being
active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone.
Competitive sports can help kids stay fit. Walking or biking
to school, dancing, bowling and yoga are some other ways
for kids to get exercise.
Health
The health of the Nation's children continues to improve
in many areas. In contrast to these improvements, the prevalence
of overweight among U.S. children has increased sharply.
HEALTH: Overweight
Percentage of children ages 6 to 18 who are overweight.
Overweight is defined as body mass index (BMI) at or above
the 95th percentile of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention BMI-for-age growth charts. BMI is calculated
as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in
meters.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Behavior and Social Environment
Young people's participation in illegal or high-risk behaviors,
such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs,
and engaging in violent crimes, has long-term consequences
for our Nation's youth.
A good size decline in the level of violence affecting
young people is one of the most favorable trends in recent
years. Dramatic declines have been observed in both serious
violent crime victimization of youth and offending (perpetration)
by youth.
Prevention of cigarette smoking among adolescents is a
national public health priority.
Illicit drug use did not decrease significantly. Nonetheless,
illicit drug use is lower overall.
Heavy drinking by youth remains steady across all age groups.
The pattern of illicit drugs and heavy drinking is a big
issue.
Economic Security
Economic indicators, such as poverty status, secure parental
employment, and food security, offer some insight into the
material well-being of children, and to what extent they
may have difficulty growing up and achieving their goals
because they lack economic resources.
Child Safety
As parents, we want to keep our children safe from harm.
Take steps to keep your children safe by
- Installing the right child safety seat in your car
- Teaching children how to cross the street safely
- Making sure they wear the right gear and equipment
for sports
- Installing and testing smoke alarms
- Storing medicines, cleaners and other dangerous substances
in locked cabinets
- Babyproofing your home
- Not leaving small children unattended
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