For kids, free time used to mean playtime. They’d come home from school, grab a snack and bolt out the door to run around with friends. In the summer, they’d play all day.
But now, a lot of kids stay home and watch TV, play video games, go online, or talk on cell phones. All the while, they stuff themselves with goodies they don’t burn off in “free play.”
Since the late 1970s, children’s playtime has fallen 25 percent and their outdoor activities have dropped 50 percent, says the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.
Children watch an average of three hours of television a day, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Add time spent on TV with time on the computer and with video games, the average time each day that children are sedentary rises to 5-1/2 hours, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A serious problem Pediatricians say less free play and less physical education in school fuel childhood obesity. The percentage of children who are overweight has more than doubled in 30 years.
It may seem frivolous, but playing “is an essential activity for a kid to grow up,” says Gil Fuld, M.D., an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesman.
Benefits of exercise In addition to helping keep weight under control, exercise helps young bodies become stronger. It also lowers the risk for type 2 diabetes, and may keep blood pressure and cholesterol at a normal level. Children who get daily exercise sleep better and are less likely to let daily stresses affect them.
Children should participate in physical activities that build endurance, strength and flexibility. How much exercise is enough? Children 2 and older should get an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise every day, according to 2005 guidelines on diet and exercise from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
One of the best ways to encourage your kids to be more active is to limit the amount of time they watch TV, use the computer or play video games. The AAP recommends no more than one to two hours of media time a day for children 2 years and older.
Share what you and your family are doing to encourage playtime or exercise. Post your comments below!
School’s out and for many kids this means more TV and video game time during their summer vacation. While these forms of entertainment can be a fun distraction, experts say too much of it can be harmful to children.
A new study, “Television and Video Game Exposure and the Development of Attention Problems,” recently published on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website, found that children who exceeded the 2 hours per day of screen time recommended by the AAP were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be above average in attention problems. Early adults showed a similar association, suggesting that early video game exposure may have lasting consequences.
Researchers assessed 1,323 children in third, fourth and fifth grades over 13 months, using reports from the parents and children about their video game and television habits, as well as teacher reports of attention problems. Another group of 210 college students provided self-reports of television habits, video game exposure and attention problems.
As children grow and develop, they can be easily influenced by what they see and hear. While some television programs and video games can be educational, others have harmful effects, such as an impact on a child’s academic performance. Parents can help decrease these harmful effects by screening the type of programming and video games their kids are viewing and limiting the amount of screen time.
At CHOC, we’re passionate about keeping your kids safe–especially around water. Children and water can be a fatal combination. Drowning is a quick, silent event. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water. Please watch the above video for tips about how to be water safe to ensure a safe and memorable summer:
Never leave children alone in or near water, even a shallow wading pool. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water and it can happen in a matter of seconds. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.
Assign a “water watcher” who knows how to swim and can provide supervision of children in the water.
Place pool safety barriers, such as isolation fences, self-closing and self-latching locks, and pool covers, between your child and the pool.
Never assume your child is “drown-proof,” even if the child has had swimming lessons.
Place a phone, life-saving ring and shepherds hook at poolside.
Remove toys in and around the pool when it’s not in use to avoid any temptation for your child.
Drain waters from wading pools and water buckets when not being used.
Flotation devices, such as water wings, are considered toys and are not a substitute for adult supervision.
Water safety also includes sun safety. Make sure your children are wearing waterproof sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
Protect feet from hot sand and sharp objects by having them wear water-safe shoes.
To learn more about water safety or to have a staff member from CHOC Children’s Community Education Department come to your group of parents and caregivers of children under the age of 5, please call 714-532-8887.
Summer is officially here! As the weather warms up and you and your family start spending more time outside, it’s important to keep sun safety in mind to ensure a healthy and happy season. Check out the following Q & A with CHOC Pediatrician, Mark Colon, M.D., for some great tips about sunscreen.
Q: At what age can I begin putting sunscreen on my child, and what SPF is best for young children?
A: A child is never too young for sunscreen. But it’s wise to keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight altogether. Their thin skin can burn after just minutes in the sun. Dress infants in lightweight cotton pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a broad-brimmed hat for added protection.
Before using sunscreen, test a patch on your child’s back to make sure there’s no allergic reaction. Look for sunscreen that includes:
“Broad-spectrum” on the label. This means it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays.
SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 for UVB protection, and 45 for babies.
The new UVA “star” rating. Four stars is the highest protection available in an over-the-counter sunscreen, and the best for children
For sensitive areas, such as the nose, tops of the ears and the shoulders, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
While there are sunscreens made particularly for babies and toddlers, the most important thing to remember is that the higher the SPF and UVA stars, the better. For best results, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure. And remember to re-apply every two hours and after swimming.
A final note – just because your children are using sunscreen doesn’t mean they can stay in the sun all day. It just means they’re lessening the risks of sun damage.
Do you have any great sun safety tips? Post a comment and share!
Did you know melanoma – the most common and deadliest form of skin cancer – is linked to excessive sun exposure during childhood? Studies indicate that as few as four severe sunburns before age 16 greatly can increase the risk of melanoma in later life.
The number of reported cases of melanoma is rising in epidemic proportions, says oncologist Leonard Sender, M.D., Medical Director of the CHOC Cancer Institute. The disease is being increasingly diagnosed in younger adults. Given the popularity of tanning among young people, it is important that parents educate their children about too much exposure to the sun and the effects of tanning beds.
A new study from the University of Minnesota, featured on the American Cancer Society’s website, found that people who use tanning beds are more likely to develop melanoma, than those who don’t. The study also found that the risk of getting melanoma is associated more with how much a person tans and not the age at which a person starts using tanning devices. Risk rises with frequency of use, regardless of age, gender, or device.
Fortunately, there’s quite a lot you can do about it. Sunscreen is very important, but it does not completely protect your child from the sun. To fully protect your child, long sleeves, pants, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat are a must. Try to avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the brightest part of the day.
Also, Dr. Sender advises parents to make sunscreen a morning habit, rain or shine, every day of the year. Apply it liberally to the face, top of the ears, back of the neck, and then to any other parts of the body that will be exposed. At the beach or the pool, reapply sunscreen whenever your child comes out of the water. For more sun safety tips, click here: http://www.choc.org/community/index.cfm?id=P00374
Although the official first day of summer is still a couple weeks away, kids in Orange County are already gearing up for summer, with school out starting next week! For parents this could mean trying to keep your little ones busy throughout their vacation. For some kids, summer can also be a time for packing on extra pounds if they don’t keep active.
A recent study suggests that for the youngest students, summer months may be worse than the school year when it comes to weight gain. Researchers think children may eat more during the summer, when the days are less structured. Also, physical education during the school year may help kids burn extra calories.
Just like adults, kids need to balance the calories they eat with the calories they burn to prevent extra pounds. That means healthy eating and an hour of physical activity on most days of the week.
Luckily, summer’s sunshine offers the chance to get out and get moving. Follow these tips to help keep your kids happy – and healthy – this summer:
Plan active vacations. Take a trip to the mountains and hike. Or, bike around your neighborhood.
Limit screen time—including TV and video games—to two hours a day or less. Encourage your kids to go outside and play. Hopscotch, swimming, tag and hide-and-go-seek all count as exercise.
If they’re interested, sign your kids up for a summer sports league.
Walk with your family instead of driving to visit friends or run errands in the neighborhood.
To help strengthen your muscles, try working in the garden together.
Q & A with Dr. Nadia Torres-Eaton, Pediatric Psychologist at CHOC Children’s
Q: What is performance anxiety in sports? Could this have an effect on my child’s physical performance or well being?
A: Performance anxiety is related to what we know as “stage fright.” This is often used to describe the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia, which may be induced in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of a crowd. In sports, the worry or fear is directly related to being evaluated about his/her performance in competitive sports. Some people describe it as that moment when the athlete freezes. The fear of failure becomes so overwhelming that the skill level of the athlete appears to diminish because they feel nervous or insecure.
It is important to remember that a normal degree of anxiety will be present in children whenever they participate in competitive sports. However, some common causes of sports performance anxiety are being very critical and making comparisons. Overly critical parents and coaches can place extra pressure on the child and lead them to believe that they are not very good. When children hear coaches or parents comparing them to other players it can cause children to feel as if they disapprove of their performance.
Common symptoms include: refusal or fear of participating, low self-esteem, making negative comments about their skills, saying that they don’t belong on the team.
Q: Do girls differ from boys in the way they cope with performance anxiety?
A: Research shows that girls tend to report more anxiety than boys and that they have slightly more elevated sports performance anxiety than boys. These differences tend to be present in older children.
In general, younger children have limited sports skills, make mistakes more often and showcase less worry. However, once they become more aware of other’s skills and they begin to compare themselves then it is possible to begin seeing anxiety symptoms.
Studies have shown that boys tend to seek out information to help them take direct action about how to cope with the stressful event. Girls on the other hand, tend to avoid appraising the situation, which can lead to not doing anything about the situation. If the athlete does not learn coping strategies for these symptoms, regardless of gender, the athlete could experience “burn-out” and may ultimately quit sports.
Q: What advice do you have for parents to help their young athletes cope with performance anxiety?
A: Praising children for the good things they do rather than focusing on the things they do wrong and avoiding comparisons are two common ways to combat performance anxiety. Witnessing the progress they make is invaluable to children and is a self-esteem builder. Encouraging children to have fun and being on a team that has a strong bond and team spirit can also help.
Parents and coaches should also set reasonable expectations and try seeing the game through the eyes of the child. Surveys of kids in all age groups and sports showed that winning was actually the last reason they participated in sports. Keeping this information in mind could help parents maintain their child’s perspective rather than focusing on winning.
If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, or feel that the symptoms mentioned appear to be having a serious effect on your child, please talk to your child’s pediatrician, who may then refer you to a pediatric psychologist.
To contact CHOC Children’s Psychology Department, please call 714-532-8481.
Facing surgery can be a scary time for children and their parents. Dr. Ali Kavianian, M.D., surgeon-in-chief at CHOC Children’s explains what some of the most common surgeries in children are, and when to know when your child may need surgery.
Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia is one of the most common conditions in infants and children, and it is usually more common in boys, according to Dr. Kavianian.
A hernia occurs when part of the abdominal organ pokes through a weak area of abdominal wall muscles. Dr. Kavianian says an inguinal hernia can be present from birth to adulthood and usually does not cause any symptoms except for a bulge in the groin or scrotum.
When the hernia content gets caught and can’t return to the abdomen, it is called incarcerated. If this happens, you should take your child to the emergency room immediately. Alarming signs include severe pain at the hernia site. Younger infants usually just cry.
If you discover a lump or bulge in or around the groin area, you should see your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible. A simple outpatient surgery by a pediatric surgeon can resolve the problem.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, a small tubular-shaped organ that is connected to the large intestine, becomes swollen and infected. Pain usually starts in the middle of the abdomen and then moves to the right side and lower part of the abdomen. The child may develop a fever and start vomiting.
If you think your child has appendicitis, take him or her to the pediatrician or emergency room without delay. If the operation is done before the appendix is ruptured, surgery is minor. A ruptured appendix usually requires five to seven days in the hospital.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is becoming more common so parents should be aware of this serious condition. It starts with a red pimple which can be seen around the buttocks or belly and can be mistaken for a diaper rash. But, within a very short time it becomes very red, swollen, and painful, and the child will develop a fever.
If you observe such a condition, take your child to the emergency room immediately. He or she will then likely be admitted to the hospital. Good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, can reduce the risk for this infection.
It’s National Infant Immunization Week, April 24-May 1, and CHOC Children’s would like to remind parents about the importance of getting their babies fully immunized by age two.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants and young children need to be immunized because the diseases prevented by vaccination can strike the unprotected at an early age. These diseases can be far more serious among infants and young children.
Although children receive the majority of the vaccinations, adults also need to stay up-to-date on certain vaccinations, including tetanus and diphtheria.
This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) launched “Protect Tomorrow,” an awareness campaign that educates parents on the importance of childhood immunizations. To view the AAP’s public service announcement, click here: http://www.aap.org/protecttomorrow/.
To make sure that your child is protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases, call or visit your child’s pediatrician to find out if your child’s vaccines are up-to-date. Also, check out these resources below:
I think my child has sprained her ankle. How can I tell when to call the pediatrician? – A common question for many parents. Did you know that the ankle is the most commonly sprained joint, followed by the knee and wrist? This may seem like an innocent injury, but in some cases, the symptoms, which can include swelling, inability to walk or bear weight – ouch! – can be quite painful and uncomfortable.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), sprains are injuries to the ligaments that connect bones to one another. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched excessively or torn. In a mild sprain, the ligament is overstretched. More severe sprains can involve partial tearing of the ligament, or complete tearing.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of sprains in young children include: pain; swelling around the joint; inability to walk, bear weight, or use the joint. Please note that the symptoms of a sprain may resemble those of a fracture or other conditions. Be sure to consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.
When to call the Doc
Make sure to call your child’s pediatrician if your child has a joint injury and has excessive swelling or pain. The pediatrician will examine your child, and your child may then undergo x-rays – to determine that it’s not a fracture or break; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and/or other procedures.
Treatment
Specific treatment for a sprain will be determined by your child’s physician based on your child’s age, extent of injury, medical history, overall health, etc. Initial treatment may include R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Other treatment options may include: splint/cast, crutches/wheelchair, or physical therapy, among other options.
Most mild sprains will heal within two weeks without consecutive complications. Your child’s physician should be called any time a joint injury fails to heal or swelling recurs. Disregarding these signs could result in more severe damage and long-term disability.
For kids, free time used to mean playtime. They’d come home from school, grab a snack and bolt out the door to run around with friends. In the summer, they’d play all day.
School’s out and for many kids this means more TV and video game time during their summer vacation. While these forms of entertainment can be a fun distraction, experts say too much of it can be harmful to children.
At CHOC, we’re passionate about keeping your kids safe–especially around water. Children and water can be a fatal combination. Drowning is a quick, silent event. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water. Please watch the above video for tips about how to be water safe to ensure a safe and memorable summer:
Summer is officially here! As the weather warms up and you and your family start spending more time outside, it’s important to keep sun safety in mind to ensure a healthy and happy season. Check out the following Q & A with CHOC Pediatrician, Mark Colon, M.D., for some great tips about sunscreen.
