Hall About Health Summer 2023

Hallabout HEALTH

Summer 2023

Set your kids up for a life time of fitness habits

Get ready for a healthy back to school start

Kids

How

Signs kids

Simple strategies

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KIDS CAN SET THE PACE FOR Longterm Health

Long-term health is not something that many young people routinely consider. After all, it's easy to feel invincible during one's childhood and adolescence. But the steps that young people take early on can affect their health as they get older.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, establishing healthy behaviors during childhood and adolescence is more beneficial to long-term health than trying to change poor behaviors in adulthood. The following are some ways young people can set the course for healthy outcomes throughout life.

PRIORITIZE HEALTHY FOODS

According to the childhood recreation group Mountain Kids, habits and actions performed subconsciously are hard to break because repeat habits trigger dopamine in the brain, causing pleasurable feelings that reinforce the behavior. So grabbing a slice of cake after school for a snack becomes rote. Instead, stocking the refrigerator and pantry with sliced fruits and vegetables, low-fat yogurt, lean protein like hummus and whole wheat dipping crackers can set the course for more responsible eating behaviors.

EAT MEALS AND SHOP TOGETHER

Kids can learn what healthy eating and portion control looks like if it is modeled by their parents. Children should be involved with reading nutrition labels and understanding the ingredients that comprise the foods they commonly eat. When dining out, choose restaurants that utilize menus that indicate the caloric content of meals. Children will learn to recognize and embrace nutritious foods and that can continue into adulthood.

Eating as a family also benefits mental health. Stanford Children's Health says eating together as a family can encourage children's confidence in themselves and improve communication. Children who regularly converse and interact

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with their parents may be less likely to engage in substance abuse or act out at school.

INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The CDC says 21 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 are obese, and two in five students have a chronic health condition. A sedentary lifestyle may be one contributor to these statistics. At home and in school, adults can encourage physical activity as an effective means to prevent obesity. The Department of Health and Human Service recommends that children and adolescents age six and older get at least one hour a day of moderate or vigorous aerobic activity, such as running or biking. Muscle- and bonestrengthening activities also are recommended. Kids who learn early on to appreciate physical activity reap long-term benefits that extend well into adulthood.

AVOID TOBACCO

Tobacco and nicotine vaping products can contribute to many negative health conditions. Youngsters who avoid these products throughout their lives may improve longevity and reduce their risk for various illnesses.

Children who learn healthy behaviors at a young age are more likely to continue those good habits into adulthood, which ultimately benefits their long-term health.

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HOW TO ESTABLISH fitness goals for kids

Physical activity benefits people of all ages, including kids. Despite widespread recognition of the positive impact physical activity has on children, many kids are not getting enough exercise. In an analysis of data collected as part od the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that less than one in four children between the ages of six and 17 participates in 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

When established in childhood and adolescence, good habits like exercising regularly can set young people up for a long, healthy life. Perhaps in recognition of that, parents often look for ways to promote physical activity to their youngsters. Setting fitness goals is one way to help young people exercise more, and the following are a handful of strategies parents can try as they seek to promote a love of physical activity in their children.

 Include fun activities in a fitness plan. Adults recognize the importance of planning when aspiring to achieve certain goals, and a plan can be just as integral to getting kids to be more physically active. When devising a fitness plan, parents should be sure to include activities kids find fun. Just because Dad liked playing baseball doesn't mean his children will. Identify

activities that kids enjoy, whether it's hiking or cycling or playing an organized sport, and include that in the fitness plan.

 Involve kids' friends. Parents often make exercising a family affair, but a 2015 study led by a researcher affiliated with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that children who exercised with friends were far less likely to cite barriers such as lack of enjoyment or lack of energy as reasons for not exercising. In essence, kids are more inspired to exercise with friends than they are with family members. When establishing fitness goals for kids, parents can work with other parents so kids can pursue those goals together, increasing the chances that those pursuits will be successful.

 Set aside time to exercise each day. Physical activity should be part of everyone's daily routine, and kids are no exception. Such activity does not need to be a grueling workout, and indeed children's bodies will need time to recover after especially strenuous exercise. But setting aside time each day to be physically active is a good way to ensure kids' lifestyles are not predominantly sedentary.

 Make the goals attainable. Parents may know before kids begin exercising or notice shortly after they start being more physically active how much kids can reasonably handle. The YMCA notes that's an important factor to consider, as fitness goals should be attainable so anyone adjusting to a new regimen, even kids, stays motivated. A child's pediatrician can advise on how much exercise youngsters should get each day, and parents can help kids gradually reach that point by setting challenging but attainable goals.

Regular physical activity can benefit kids for the rest of their lives. Parents can pitch in by embracing various strategies to help kids establish attainable goals that make fitness fun.

Signs kids could be hard of hearing

Hearing loss is often associated with aging, and understandably so. Individuals from all walks of life undoubtedly have an aging friend or relative who has experienced some degree of hearing loss, and millions of seniors across the globe would admit to having some difficulty with their hearing. But hearing loss also can affect children and, if undiagnosed, it can have an adverse affect on nearly all aspects of their lives.

The World Health Organization estimates that, as of 2021, approximately 34 million children present with hearing loss that requires rehabilitation. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that hearing loss in children can be present at birth or develop later in childhood. Hearing loss that develops later in childhood is known as acquired hearing loss, and parents can look for various signs that kids could be losing their hearing. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes that the signs of hearing loss in children may include:

 Delayed speech and/or language development

 Speech sound disorder: The ASHA notes that speech sound disorders include any difficulty or combination of difficulties with perception, motor production, or phonological representation of speech sounds and speech segments

 Difficulty in following or understanding instructions

 Frequent requests for repetition

 Use of increased volume on devices, including televisions, personal music players and tablets

 Difficulty effectively expressing themselves: Children can exhibit difficulty expressing themselves verbally and/or via written language

 Frustration with communication breakdowns

 Feeling of exhaustion at the end of a school day

 Difficulties at school: Children with hearing loss may experience academic, behavioral, or social difficulties in the classroom and on campus

What causes acquired hearing loss in children?

The causes of hearing loss in children can be as simple as cerumen (ear wax) or as complex as damage to middle or inner structures after suffering trauma to the head. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta notes that over-the-counter ear wax removal drops can effectively clean ears and restore kids' hearing, though such drops may need to be part of routine preventive health care measures. Ear infections, encephalitis, excessive noise exposure, meningitis, the presence of a foreign body in the ear, and viral infections like measles or mumps also can contribute to hearing loss in kids. Physicians can direct treatment of hearing loss based on the cause of kids' hearing loss, but it's worth noting that some hearing loss may require long-term use of hearing aids, surgery or medication.

Though often seen as a byproduct of aging, hearing loss affects millions of children as well. More information about children and hearing loss can be found at asha.org.

Simple strategies to protect kids' vision over the long haul

Parents recognize there's no aspect of kids' health that can be taken for granted. Common colds can appear overnight, and injuries on the playground can occur in the blink of an eye. Such issues may be hard to see coming, but the risk for colds, playground injuries and other health-related conditions, including childhood vision problems, can be mitigated with various preventive measures.

Vision issues that affect children can lead to a host of unwanted outcomes, including physical injuries and decreased academic performance. Though kids may ultimately need vision problems to be corrected with the help of an eye doctor, the following are some steps parents can take to protect their children's vision over the long haul.

 Schedule routine eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that children's vision can be screened by various medical professionals, including eye doctors but also pediatricians, family physicians or other properly trained health care providers. The AAO recommends children at all age levels receive eye examinations. Newborns will need eye exams so doctors can check for various indicators of eye health, while a second eye exam conducted during a well visit before the child's first birthday can confirm healthy eye alignment and movement. Exam intervals can be discussed with a physician as children age, but it's important that kids receive routine eye exams to confirm their vision is healthy and to identify any issues that could be compromising their vision.

 Feed children a healthy diet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which have the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain healthy vision.

 Monitor screen time. The CDC notes that excessive screen time can exacerbate uncorrected vision problems. Daily screen time limits can help protect kids' vision, and parents should ensure kids take frequent breaks when using digital devices. Frequent breaks from additional activities like reading, writing and drawing also can protect kids' vision.

 Squeeze in time outdoors. Access and exposure to nature pays a host of health-related dividends, including some linked to eye health. The CDC notes that going outdoors affords kids' eyes the opportunity to look at distant objects, which can provide a respite from the eye strain and fatigue that can develop when looking at screens or books.

 Provide protective eyewear, including sunglasses. Exposure to UV rays from the sun can harm children's eyes, so kids should wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection when spending time outside. The CDC also urges children to wear protective eyewear when engaging in activities such as sports that can increase their risk for eye injury and vision loss.

HOW TO CREATE A GREATER life BALANCE work

A more even balance between professional and personal life is a goal for many individuals. The demands of work too often extend beyond traditional working hours, leaving many professionals to confront work-related challenges long after they've left the office or left the desks in their home offices. With work never more than a smartphone notification away, it can be hard to create and maintain work-life balance.

Work-life balance is rarely discussed in terms of individuals' overall health, but that could be a mistake. In fact, the organization Mental Health America¨ notes that when workers' lives are balanced and workers are happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days and are more likely to remain in their jobs. Each of those things benefits workers and employers equally.

With so much to gain from creating a greater balance between work and life, professionals can consider these tips to do just that.

 Make a concerted effort to be an effective communicator. MHA notes the benefits of being honest with colleagues and superiors when challenges feel overwhelming. Open and effective communication can be a great way to solve workrelated problems, but MHA urges professionals to remain calm and suggest practical alternatives when confronting such issues. Simply accepting more work or responsibilities when you already feel overwhelmed can tip the scales even further away from an even work-life balance.

 Establish manageable daily goals. MHA reports that research has found that individuals feel less stressed about

work when they feel as though they have more control over it. Setting daily goals is a great way to achieve that sense of control, and this can be as simple as creating a daily to-do list.

 Seek alternatives to your working arrangement. Previously unthinkable working arrangements are now possible after companies were forced to confront pandemic-related changes to their operations. If you've found it impossible to create an equitable balance between work and life, speak with your supervisor about alternatives to your arrangement. Flex time and hybrid working are some measures that could ensure you have as much time for your personal life as your professional life.

 Unplug at the end of the workday. One of the simpler, though not necessarily easier, ways to create and maintain a greater work-life balance is to unplug at the end of the workday. Turn off work-related smartphone notifications at the end of the work day so you aren't tempted to work during those of times of day that you've earmarked for your personal life. Smartphones can be addictive, so unplugging could test your resilience. If possible, block work-related notifications automatically after a certain time each day so you don't have to turn them off manually. Once the blocking is automated, you might not think twice about all those missed emails.

There's no secret formula for establishing a healthy work-life balance. But various strategies can help professionals achieve greater balance between their professional and personal lives.

Immunization guidelines for newborns to 15 months

New parents have a lot on their plate. The birth of a child is a special time in the lives of a family. Shortly after the birth of a child, new parents learn how significant a role their child's pediatrician plays in the early months of the youngster's life.

New parents rely on pediatricians to help them get through the first months of a child's life, when every sneeze or sniffle can raise an eyebrow. Protecting newborns and young children from illness is a priority for new parents, and one way to do just that is to adhere to vaccination schedules. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend various vaccines for newborns and children up to 15 months old, a period when parents tend to be especially mindful of illness. The following CDC guidelines can help parents ensure their youngster stays on schedule with their vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: Children should receive their first dose at birth, and then their second dose between one month or two months of age. A third dose is recommended between six months and 15 months.

• Rotavirus: The rotavirus vaccine schedule will depend on which vaccination children receive, so parents can discuss that with their child's pediatrician. The CDC notes the first dose should be administered at two months and the second at four months. Subsequent doses, if necessary, will depend on which vaccine was administered.

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis): The first dose should be administered at one month, followed by a second doese at four months and a third dose at six months. Parents can discuss when a child should receive a fourth dose with their pediatrician.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): The first dose should be administered at two months and the second at four months. Additional doses will be necessary, but the timing will depend on which vaccine a child receives.

• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13, PCV15): The first dose should be administered at two months and the second at four months. A third dose should be administered at six months, and parents can discuss the time of a fourth dose with their pediatrician.

• Inactivated poliovirus: The first dose should be administered at two months and the second at four months. A third dose can be administered between six and 15 months, but the timing can be discussed with the childÕs pediatrician.

• COVID-19: The recommended vaccination schedule for COVID-19 shots for kids between the ages of six months and four years will depend on which vaccine the child receives. The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is a three-dose series.

• Influenza: The CDC recommends annual vaccination against influenza beginning at six months. Vaccines may be single- or two-dose.

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): A routine MMR vaccination is a two-dose series that begins at age 12 to 15 months.

• Varicella (VAR): The first dose of the VAR vaccine should be administered at age 12 to 15 months.

• Hepatitis A: A routine vaccination for the two-dose Hepatitis A vaccine is administered at age 12 to 23 months. Vaccinations can protect children in both the short- and long-term. More information about childhood vaccinations can be found at cdc.gov.

HOW PET PARENTS CAN APPROACH EXCESS WEIGHT GAIN IN DOGS

Maintaining a healthy weight is no small task. Shifting metabolisms as human beings age require routine tweaking of diets so adults can avoid putting on extra weight. Though that's a concept many adults recognize, few may realize that dogs are vulnerable to weight gain as well. And just like their human companions, dogs who carry excess weight could be vulnerable to a host of dangerous ailments.

A veterinarian can help dog owners determine if it's time to tweak an animal's diet. In the meantime, if man's best friend seems to be putting on a few extra pounds, dog owners can look to a host of variables to determine if they're contributing to weight gain.

TREATS

It's hard to resist a dog's wagging tail, and few things excite dogs more than treats. However, excessive amounts of treats can do more harm than good. In an interview with PetMD.com, Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, noted that pets need approximately 20 to 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. So a 20-pound dog will only require between 400 and 600 calories per day. The majority of those calories should come from healthy dog foods, not treats. Dog owners should read dog treat packaging to determine how many calories each treat contains. The results may be shocking. If dog treats are a daily component of a dog's diet, limit their consumption and look for lowcalorie treats to help dogs shed excess pounds.

EXERCISE

A sedentary lifestyle is as detrimental to dogs as it is to their human companions. The American Kennel Club notes that the amount of exercise dogs need is breed-specific. For example, a high-energy breed like a border collie will require more exercise than a low-energy breed like an English bulldog. Preexisting health conditions also must be considered when determining how much exercise a dog needs. Dog owners can develop an exercise regimen with their veterinarians, but it's important to note that the AKC says even senior dogs need daily exercise.

FOOD QUALITY

The quality of food also must be examined if dogs are putting on excess weight. Even if dogs' calorie intake is adequate and not excessive and the animals exercise regularly, they could still be gaining weight if the quality of their food is subpar. It can be difficult to determine what is and isn't a quality dog food, and the AKC notes that breeds have different nutritional needs based on their size. But if excessive treats and lack of exercise are not the culprits behind weight gain, low-quality dog food could be to blame. A veterinarian can help dog owners pick a healthy food, and during that discussion the vet will likely examine the pet to determine if the weight gain is linked to an undiagnosed medical condition.

Weight gain in dogs can contribute to a host of negative health outcomes. It's up to dog owners to take steps to ensure dogs maintain a healthy weight.