Is This Any Way to “Treat” Children?

By Pam Leo

“How come the Easter Bunny didn’t bring
us good things like broccoli and carrots?”
- Jared LeDuc (age 5)

It seems no coincidence that children are sick more often November through April than they are May through October. Sugar suppresses the immune system. Many children barely recover from the Halloween sugar, when it’s on to the Christmas candy season, then Valentine’s Day candy and finally Easter candy. Other than birthdays there are no major sugar-filled holidays again until October.

Could the improvement in children’s health during summer be due to something more than better weather? The custom of giving children candy as a way of showing our affection is becoming a threat to their health and well being. It’s time to re-think how we “treat” children. Read more

Health Risks for Children

By Christine Wood, M.D.

www.kidseatgreat.com

What parent wouldn’t want to give the gift of good health and a lifetime of good eating habits to his or her children? As a parent and a pediatrician I feel very strongly that we, as parents, have a job to do in protecting and nurturing our kids. We suffer as much as our child does with every cold, fever, cut, bruise, ache, and pain. We do our best to protect them by using car seats and bike helmets, and by being watchful parents. Read more

Obesity Trends In Children - Who Is To Blame?

By Christine Wood, M.D.

www.kidseatgreat.com

The public health alarm has sounded and most people are well aware of the increase in overweight children in the U.S. The questions we are grappling with - why is this trend occurring and what does it mean for the future of our children?

Answering the first part of this question could be stated very simply - too many calories and too little activity, but in reality it is more complex.

The media marketing food and sedentary activities to our children, cheap processed food choices, the ease of fast food for stressed out parents, schools offering sodas and candies, communities that make driving necessary and walking almost impossible, and the list could go on and on.

But who is ultimately responsible for the problem? Read more

Smart Food Shopping Tips For Healthier Kids

By Christine Wood, MD

When we walk into the grocery store and see all the choices available, it can be an overwhelming experience. With over 12,000 new processed food choices introduced each year into the United States, no wonder we are overwhelmed! When I walk by that fruit roll-up section, I realize how food choices have expanded and how many choices are marketed to children. Here I present a few principles of how to shop smart for the family. Read more

Fighting Media Influence On Your Kids

Christine Wood, M.D.

www.kidseatgreat.com

The American Academy of Pediatrics now urges no television watching for children under two years of age and a maximum of one to two hours a day of good quality TV and video or computer games combined for older children.  More TV time means a higher risk of obesity in children.

My recommendations are to work hard to limit television under two years and time watching television or other computer games, etc. to no more than 2 hours combined.

Here are some general recommendations to help you set limits with your kids. Read more

Picky Eaters

By Christine Wood, MD

Picky eaters in preschoolers are one of the most common feeding problems I am asked about in my pediatric practice. How many times have you faced these scenarios in your home? Read more

Brighter, Brainier Babies with Healthy Fats

By Christine Wood, M.D.

www.kidseatgreat.com

What parent doesn’t dream of having an intelligent baby and child?  Are there things that a mother can provide in her diet and in her baby’s diet that may promote a smarter baby?  Studies have shown that breastfed babies have higher IQ’s than those babies fed formula. Read more

Brighter, Brainier, Breakfasts

By Christine Wood, MD
www.kidseatgreat.com

Do you ever skip breakfast because you are in a hurry or just not hungry?   While 99 percent of 3^rd graders say they eat breakfast, the number drops to 85% when these students reach the 8^th grade.  Breakfast feeds the brain and has been proven to enhance school performance.  Read more