56% rise in prescriptions for heartburn and other digestive problems among kids between 2002 and 2006. More than 2 million American children 18 and under used drugs for gastro-intestinal complaints last year. 31% increase in drug use among children aged 5 to 11 but only 6% rise in children aged 12 to 18. This spurt in prescriptions was found in a Medico Health Solutions analysis on prescription data for 2002-06. Proton Pump Inhibitors are the most common medicines prescribed for Gastro Intestinal problems mainly for Gastro esophageal Reflux disease. Obesity and overuse of drugs are the major reasons behind this rise in prescriptions. More than 10% younger children and 30% older children are overweight in United States. Heartburn is a common complication of being overweight and obese. Young children generally do not need drugs for heartburn and GERD but most parents are demanding doctors for prescriptions. Parents should try to use foods (non-fatty foods) and lifestyle changes to overcome this common problem. This is another concern for kids and parents after recent reporting of deaths from cough and cold medicine use. It is better not to use over the counter (OTC) drugs unless advised by physician in young children. … [Read more...]
Childhood Obesity studies
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...]
