Preventive Measure on Obesity in children
Obesity in children is one of the major problems causing health issues in children. Statistics show that 10% of children between the ages of 4 and 5 are overweight. More studies show that obesity is prevalent in girls more than in boys at a young age (Cherlin 1991). It is essential to address the issue of obesity as it may result in specific health problems. Parents and guardians have the task to ensure that children live healthy lifestyles. Health care guidelines have explored various ways to reduce the level of obesity in children. Healthy lifestyles for children above two years include dietary guidelines recommended as preventative strategies.
Caregivers and parents can prevent obesity in children by giving them healthy meals. They should ensure that what the children eat provides nutrition in their bodies and reduces their risks of obesity. Foods recommended in one serving should have a balance or necessary amount for children's growth (Lake 2012). It is unwise to give children proteins all the time until it is too much for the body. The parents can educate their children on the importance of a balanced diet. This is where every class of food is eaten in a limited way to avoid any risks resulting in too much fat or sugars or any other mineral.
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The other way to reduce the rate of obesity in children to encourage engagement in physical activities. In the 21 st century, television, video games, and computers have made children forget the importance of physical activities. Parents and caregivers need to allocate time for play (Cherlin 1991). This could involve all family members so that the children take part in the activities. Walking, riding bicycles, and taking part in physical games like football helps maintain a healthy body. If parents and caretakers can help children avoid being overweight, the risk of disease on children could be lower, and obesity would not be an issue in children's lives.
Parent needs to take their children for regular checkups in hospitals. They should keep track of children's health and focus on any deficiencies. They should act as examples to their children and maintain specific rules that enhance healthy feeding and a healthy lifestyle as a whole. Children only require good guidance and proper parenting practices so that parents and caregivers can take care of their health.
Effects of Divorce on children
Divorce makes most children experience difficult times in their lives. This is because, as a child, the presence of both parents happily living together makes them very happy. However, when the parents part, the children are heartbroken and cannot understand why their parents need to stay apart. Their love for both parents makes them experience a series of emotional problems. For example, children whose parents are divorced often deal with anger problems. They experience anger because the changes that occur in their lives are overwhelming for them. The fact that they cannot influence the decisions made by both parents to make the furious, and they do not know how to deal with that kind of anger.
Most children also withdraw socially. This is because they feel unattached to other people. Most children think that there is no reason to associate with other people while their parents do not stick together. They lack meaning in friendships (Fagan 2012). They may also be dealing with feelings of anxiety and shyness. Some children lose their confidence and wonder whether they are the reason their parents cannot stay together. They may also be fearful of how society will perceive and what to explain to their friends when stories of their parents come up in conversations.
Children who go through parents’ divorce experiences often get introduced to destructive behavior. This is because divorces are a result of unresolved conflicts. These children's anger and frustrations may make them rebellious. As a result, children engage in drug abuse or theft. The problems on behavioral change arise since most kids value both parents' company (Willms 2004). They question love and why they should be denied the love for both parents. Destructive behavior is a way to deal with their anger and fury. Most of the teenagers who experience divorce are at higher risk of engaging in crimes. Smoking habits and the use of drugs eventually lead to problems with their health. Therefore, it is essential to monitor and take strategic measures to care for kids whose parents are divorced. More health problems that are associated with divorce include insomnia, where they may lack sleep.
Depression can also be an effect of divorce. Children from divorced families often develop clinical depression. This is usually prominent in children above eleven years (Fagan 2012). Their inability to accept change brought by divorce makes them fall into depression. The younger kids may show regression in their behavior. Some would start wetting their beds, sucking their thumbs, and, in other cases having temper tantrums. However, parents must reassure their children consistently so that they feel safe and attached to both parents despite the divorce.
References
Cherlin, A. J., Furstenberg, F. F., Chase-Lansdale, L., Kiernan, K. E., Robins, P. K., Morrison, D. R., & Teitler, J. O. (1991). Longitudinal studies of the effects of divorce on children in Great Britain and the United States. Science , 252 (5011), 1386-1389
Fagan, P. F., & Churchill, A. (2012). The effects of divorce on children. Marri Research , 1 , 1-48.
Lake, A. M. (2012). Pediatric obesity: preventive measures in early childhood. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition , 36 , 76S-80S.
Willms, J. D. (2004). Early childhood obesity: a call for early surveillance and preventive measures. Cmaj , 171 (3), 243-244.
Cherlin, A. J., Furstenberg, F. F., Chase-Lansdale, L., Kiernan, K. E., Robins, P. K., Morrison, D. R., & Teitler, J. O. (1991). Longitudinal studies of the effects of divorce on children in Great Britain and the United States. Science , 252 (5011), 1386-1389
