Young children are not doing enough exercise, according to a research study on 11-year old children. Fewer than 3% of children are getting enough exercise. Children should do 1 hour per day of moderate to vigorous exercise. This research study was published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood. Calculated children’s percentage body fat – a reliable indicator of overweight and obesity – at the age of three-and-a-half and seven years. Children who had acquired a high percentage body fat by the age of three-and-a-half were significantly more likely to be obese at the age of seven than those with low percentage body fat. Childhood Obesity levels are on rise due to decrease in exercise activity of children. 20% of children will be obese by 2010. Girls who have a fat mother are more likely to become obese than their friends with slimmer parents. Children will have 4% more body fat if their mothers are obese. Children who spent more than 3 hours a day watching television had 5% more body fat than those watched less than 1 hour. Childhood obesity levels are in opposite direction to exercise activity. Every additional 1 hour of inactivity will contribute to 1% of body fat. Parent’s role: Parents play crucial role in the lives of children in passing genes or in creating suitable environment. Parents are the first role models for every child. They closely imitate them and follow their lifestyle. They should have good eating habits and lifestyle. … [Read more...]
Children will suffer from parent’s smoking
According to a study presented at the American thoracic society international conference 2007, Kids may suffer from respiratory problems due to the smoking habits of their parents. Children of smoking parents show more respiratory problems like puffing, wheezing and may suffer from pneumonia. Even those children who do not suffer from any respiratory problems in childhood may suffer from lung diseases in the later stages of life. This study was done on 244 children (4-12 ages) without any previous history of lung disease to understand the effects of passive smoking. These children were divided into 4 groups according to the smoking pattern of their parents. 4 Groups of children: 1. Children whose parents have never smoked.2. Smoking after birth but not during pregnancy. 3. During pregnancy but not after birth 4. Both before and after birth.According to study, children whose parents are smokers are experiencing respiratory problems than children of non-smoking parents. Smoking after birth appeared to be more harmful than smoking during pregnancy. Even though some children of smoking parents have not shown any signs of respiratory diseases, they are still suffering from reduced lung function which could worsen progressively if they are under constant exposure. Children of these parents generally suffer from Asthma, Pneumonia, Bronchitis and infections in the later stages of life. The American Lung Association defines second-hand smoke as a mixture of smoke that is expelled from the blazing end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and that which is exhaled from the lungs of a smoker. … [Read more...]
