Childhood Obesity: What Can Be Done About This Epidemic?

Childhood obesity is currently an epidemic in the United States as well as the world. It is estimated that one out of five children between 6 and 17 are overweight. Because of this, millions of children have a much greater chance of developing obesity-related disorders like heart disease or diabetes.

Parents are urged to encourage their kids to be physically active--especially because it has been shown that children who are obese have an extremely difficult time losing weight. When a child is overweight growing up, it also makes it harder for them to change their habits and their lifestyle when they become adults.

So why is there such an epidemic?  One reason is the large quantities of readily available foods which are full of sugar and fat as well as high in calories.  The other major factor is a lack of physical activity and exercise.

Just last month, First Lady Michelle Obama announced her program to help end childhood obesity in America.  The campaign is called "Let's Move" and it involves several things: helping parents become more informed about nutrition and exercise, improving food quality in schools, putting a stronger emphasis on physical education and making foods which are healthy more accessible and affordable.

In what other ways can childhood obesity be tackled?  Having parents discourage sugary and high-fat beverages and foods, improving outdoor recreational facility access, making physical education required, having communities better support activities such as biking and walking and improving traffic safety in places where children play or engage in physical activities.

The good news is, the problem of childhood obesity can be solved.  With the involvement of schools and teachers and more education about how it can be prevented, this epidemic can be turned around.

How Much Do You Know About Blood Pressure?

What exactly is blood pressure?

Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of the body, and the "pressure" is the force of the blood against artery walls. Blood is pumped out of the heart into the arteries each time the heart beats, at which time your blood pressure is at its highest. This is referred to as systolic pressure. Your blood pressure falls when the heart is resting between beats, and this is referred to as diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure is made up of both the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) pressure numbers, for example 100/70.

When you are awake and standing still or not being active, your blood pressure usually remains the same. Anything above 120/80 is considered high, because your heart has to work harder and you have a greater chance of a stroke or heart attack. Specifically, 120-139/80-89 is considered Pre-Hypertension, greater than 140/90 is Hypertension, 140-159/90-99 is Stage 1 Hypertension, and 160 or greater/100 or greater is Stage 2 Hypertension.

Fortunately, blood pressure can be lowered with lifestyle changes such as:

• Getting regular exercise
• Limiting alcohol
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing sodium intake
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat

Sometimes drugs are used to treat high blood pressure, including beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, receptor blockers and more.

Once your blood pressure has been regulated, you should still visit your doctor every few months to make sure that things are still under control.  Ultimately, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly--this way, you can find out if you need to correct any potential problems before they get too serious.

The Importance of Backpack Safety for Kids

Kids have been wearing backpacks to school for a long time.  These days, there are no shortage of styles, colors and fabrics available.

Compared to other types of bags, backpacks are a good choice because their weight is supported by the abdominal and back muscles, which are some of the strongest in the body.  A backpack's weight is evenly distributed across the body if the backpack is worn correctly.

However, if they are not worn correctly or are too heavy, they can cause back pain or strain the joints or muscles.  When a heavy backpack is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight can cause a child to pull their body back.  In order to compensate, a child may bend forward which can end up causing the spine to become compressed.

Here are some safety tips to make sure your child doesn't run into trouble due to their backpack.

Doctors and physical therapists actually recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their backpacks. Additionally, when buying a new backpack it's a good idea to go for more lightweight packs, such as ones made of canvas instead of leather.

The shoulder straps are also important, and should be padded and wide as thinner straps tend to dig into the shoulders.  Kids should be encouraged to wear both straps on the shoulders instead of just one.

Packs with multiple compartments also help to distribute weight evenly, as do packs that come with a waist belt.  Kids can also avoid backpack injuries by picking up the pack the right way---by bending at the knees and grabbing the pack with both hands when putting it on their shoulders.

Finally, encourage kids to use their desk or locker throughout the day instead of carrying a full day's worth of books in their backpack, and to bring home only the books needed for homework at night.

Backpack safety is one of the topics covered in Allegheny Medical's WellnessCare lecture series. For more information, please contact us at (412) 494-4554.

February is American Heart Month

Since 1963, February has been recognized by the American Heart Association as American Heart Month.  It was designated as such because cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of people in the United States.  Coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack, is the most common heart disease.

American Heart Month is observed in order to increase increase awareness of cardiovascular diseases and raise funds for research. Throughout the month, healthy habits are encouraged and emphasized as a means of prevention.

According to the CDC, being heart healthy means choosing healthy foods. Some of their recommendations include selecting low-fat dairy products, drinking alcohol in moderation, cutting back on sugar, eating less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day, choosing foods with very little or no salt and eating lean poultry and meats without the skin.

Additionally, it is also recommended that individuals exercise regularly, control their weight, avoid tobacco and maintain healthy blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

The importance of knowing the symptoms of a heart attack are also stressed by the CDC. Usually heart attacks begin slowly, with mild discomfort. However, some are intense and sudden. Here are some of the specific signs that may signal that a heart attack is occurring:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Arm, stomach, neck, back or jaw discomfort
• Nausea, lightheadedness or cold sweat

Women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths in the United States.  Several  lifestyle choices and medical conditions put women at a greater risk for heart disease, including cigarette smoking, poor diet, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.

Exercise, eating right and knowing more about heart diseases are great places to start.  Take some time this month to think about your own heart, and what you can do to ensure it stays healthy and strong for a lifetime.

Are There Alternatives For Treating ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and it is one of the most common childhood disorders.  ADHD can last well into adulthood.  Some of the symptoms associated with this disorder include difficulty paying attention and staying focused, becoming bored easily and hyperactivity.

Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes ADHD; however, some studies suggest that genes play a role. Most likely, ADHD is caused by a combination of factors including genetics and possible environmental factors. Nutrition, social environment and brain injuries are also being studied as potential contributing factors.

Currently, one of the most common treatments for reducing the symptoms of ADHD is to give medication, such as Adderall or Ritalin.  These are stimulants which actually appear to have a calming effect on children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.  Unfortunately, these drugs often tend to cause several side effects, such as sleep problems, irritability, decreased appetite, headaches, stomachaches and anxiety.

The good news is, while prescription medications are sometimes necessary, there are other ways that this condition can be treated.  One method is behavioral therapy, which aims to help a child change their behavior.  This type of therapy involves such tasks as finishing schoolwork or organizing. Behavioral therapy also teaches a child how handle their own behavior--for example, thinking before acting or controlling anger.  Parents and teachers are encouraged to help reinforce this.

Other alternatives also exist in the treatment of ADHD, such as other types of therapy which can be delivered via support groups, or non-stimulant medications.

Fortunately, great strides are being made in ADHD research, leading to a better understanding of not only the causes of the disorder, but also how to prevent it and develop more effective treatments for people of all ages.  Alternatives to medication such as Ritalin for ADHD is just one topic that Allegheny Medical's WellnessCare's Lecture series covers.  For more information or for a complimentary consultation with us, please call (412) 494-4554 today.