Scripps Pediatricians Offer New Year’s Resolutions for the Whole Family in 2017

Now’s the time for thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Scripps pediatricians have some ideas on resolutions for the whole family.

A recent informal survey of Scripps pediatricians across San Diego County revealed a half dozen key issues that were frequently raised by parents about their children’s well-being in 2016. Read more about those issues, and resolve to address them in 2017 using the advice outlined below.

Orthopedic injuries

With more young children focusing on a single sport and playing all year, pediatricians are seeing more chronic overuse injuries. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages a balanced approach to sports, especially before puberty. Growing bones are less resilient to stress, and young athletes may not recognize that certain symptoms are signs of overuse.

“Keep your child’s practice fun and age-appropriate,” said Daniel Lichtmann, M.D., a pediatrician at Scripps Clinic, Santee. “If you suspect your child may be susceptible to overuse injuries, plan to have your children have at least one day off per week and at least one month off per year from training for one sport. These breaks will allow the body to recover.”

Other key health issues cited by Scripps pediatricians include:

Nutrition

One of the most common worries that Scripps pediatricians heard from parents in 2016 was what to feed their children. The AAP encourages parents to think about their nutritional choices as health decisions.

The AAP recommends taking a broad, whole-diet approach to nutrition, avoiding highly processed foods and using small amounts of sugar, salt, fats and oils to enhance the flavors of nutritious foods. Serve high-quality protein, such as lean meats, fish, nuts and eggs; vegetables; fruits; grains; and low-fat dairy.

Most children and teens need to eat every three to four hours throughout the day to meet current daily nutritional guidelines. Younger children need to eat three meals and at least two healthy snacks, while older kids need to eat three meals and at least one snack a day.

Eating while on the go or while distracted by TV, phones and tablets may result in less healthful choices and portions, so doctors recommend a more structured eating schedule. This may include mid-morning and after-school snacks, and serving healthy items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat Greek yogurt.

Teen anxiety and depression

A study published in the December issue of Pediatrics found that major depression is on the rise in adolescents, particularly among girls. Looking at data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health from 2005 to 2014, researchers found that major depressive episodes increased in adolescents by 37 percent.

Parents can help by:

• Talking with your teen frequently
• Offering support by letting your teen know that you are there and willing to provide support
• Confirming your teen's feelings

Deferring Vaccines

Concerns about vaccine safety are still causing parents in the United States to delay some vaccines for their children. “Vaccines are one of the best ways to ensure your child stays healthy, and the reason so many shots are given so close together is that this is when your children are most vulnerable to dangerous diseases,” Lichtmann.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official vaccination schedule, supported by the AAP, targets 14 serious diseases, including whooping cough, polio and meningitis, and is very specific to keeping children as safe as possible until they are fully protected.

According to the AAP, there is no safe way to adjust the schedule and know that your child will be safe from potentially life-threatening infections. Talk with your pediatrician if you have questions about vaccines or feel strongly about delaying certain immunizations.

Screen time

The AAP released updated guidelines on television and digital media use in children and teens in October, noting that today’s children are spending an average of seven hours a day on screen media, such as television, computers and phones. While the AAP recommends specific guidelines for different age groups, they advocate that parents should act as media mentors no matter what the age of their children. Visit aap.org to view the recommendations (in the AAP Press Room, news release dated Oct. 21, 2016).

Weight and obesity

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years, and in 2012 more than one-third of children ages 6 to 11 and adolescents ages 12 to 19 were overweight or obese. Obesity can cause a broad range of health problems, such as asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. Children who are obese are also more apt to experience a negative body image, depression and low self-esteem.

Parents can help avoid weight problems by being a good role model, preparing healthy meals, removing calorie-rich snacks and staying physically active with their kids.

“To Your Health” is brought to you by the physicians and staff of Scripps. For more information, please visit www.scripps.org/Patch or call (858) 914-4275