Page 6 - Healthy Kids Now - Fall 2022

Top tips for a healthier school year
School is starting up again soon, and it’s time to get ready now. Grab your shopping list for school supplies, create a space for homework, and make your list of back- to-school health tasks to complete. Here are some tips to kick things off.
See the doctor
Make sure your child has an annual well-child visit. Schedule it early. Your child’s provider can check your child’s overall health, development, and vaccine needs. If your kid plans to participate in sports, you can get any required forms signed at the same time.
Make meals powerful
Start the day with healthy breakfasts, which help kids focus, do better in school, and have more energy. Refresh lunches this year with balanced, nutritious foods. Include a lean protein food, fruits and veggies, and a whole grain. Today’s cafeteria food is more nutritious and kid-friendly than ever before. Some students are even eligible for free or low-cost school meals.
Type 2 diabetes cases rise in children during the pandemic
It’s true that the rates of diabetes were already going up in youth before COVID-19. But during the pandemic, children are getting less exercise, eating more unhealthy foods, using screens more, and getting less sleep.These are all risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Altogether, this caused rates of childhood diabetes to rise quickly.
Type 2 diabetes often does not cause symptoms. When it is not treated, diabetes can cause problems all through your child’s body. Their heart, nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes could be damaged.
Your child is at higher risk for diabetes if they are:
• overweight or obese
• have a family member who
has diabetes
• Black or Latino
Talk with your child’s provider about getting your child’s blood sugar tested.
Sources: Diabetes; American Academy of Pediatrics; National Institutes of Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Diabetes Association
Reset routines
Find a quiet space to be used daily for homework. Plan for your child to do homework at the same time every day. Remember to consider how much time your child needs for homework before making decisions about joining after- school activities and sports.
Your child will be able to focus and learn better with a good sleep schedule. Turn off electronic devices at least one hour before bed. Set the same bedtime each night, even on weekends and during school breaks.
Bust stress with exercise
School pressures can be hard on your child’s mental health. Your child can reduce stress with exercise. Exercise can lower tension levels and boost their mood, self-esteem, and school performance at the same time. It also helps children maintain a healthy weight and build strength and bone mass.
Ideas to help your child be more active include:
• playing with friends outside
• joining a team sport or activity, such as baseball, track or
ice skating
• walking in neighborhood parks
• riding bikes in the neighborhood
• helping with chores
• volunteering for a community service, like cleaning
up parks
• visiting local playgrounds
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; National Science Foundation; American Diabetes Association; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; American Heart Association
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