Raising Health-Conscious Kids

Health awareness is on the rise. Obesity is on the rise. Kids and teens need more fitness related activities. Physical education programs in schools are on the decline. Today’s children are more world-savvy and environmentally aware than earlier generations. Children today are less physically active than previous generations. Today’s kids are technology addicts. Children and teens are at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and other health-related illness. These statements, some seemingly contradictory, are all generalizations; they are also all true. So, how do we, as parents, raise health-conscious, healthy children?

Health awareness is more than just telling our kids…

A Lesson about Lifeguarding

In today’s economy, it is becoming increasingly difficult for teenagers and college graduates alike to find jobs. However, every summer there seems to be one stable job: lifeguarding.

Lifeguarding is an investment because you have to pay a couple hundred dollars to get certified, but in my experience, many employers offer to reimburse you. A lifeguard certification (life saving and first aid) is good for three years. However, you have to get recertified for CPR every year.

Some great places to work as a lifeguard would be the following:

• YMCA
• NYSC
• Your local swim club
• Your local swim school
• Your local gym
• Your College/University
• Your local Day Camp

One…

Kids and Cholesterol

It is pretty common knowledge these days that high cholesterol in adults is an indicator of increased risk of heart disease and other illness, but a surprising number of children, ages 10 – 17, also suffer from high cholesterol. In fact, it could be the most under-reported health issue they face, since it is uncommon for physicians to routinely screen kids for high cholesterol. Knowing if and when to ask your child’s doctor about cholesterol screening can greatly reduce his/her risk of bigger health problems later in life.

There are two primary types of cholesterol: HDL, or high density lipoprotein,…

So, You Say You Want a Revolution?

What would you do if you learned that your town was the fattest in America?  Well, for the residents of Huntington, West Virginia, this was exactly their predicament in 2008.  All that was going to change, though, when British chef Jamie Oliver heard the news. Jamie Oliver is an all natural chef from England.  Well known for his work in revamping the English public schools food program, his latest project is titled Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, which airs on ABC Friday nights at 9pm Eastern time.

Now, you might be asking what exactly is a food revolution?  Well, Jamie is…

Wash Your Hands

As a mom, I know I have uttered that sentence thousands of times.  Maybe millions.  As my kids have gotten older, there has been less need to say it, except when someone in our house is sick.

While washing hands is not a guarantee that the illness will be contained to one person, it definitely helps.  In our household, it usually is one of the kids who gets sick.  So, once there is a fever or a stomach ache or headache present, I usually begin to remind everyone to wash their hands.  Additionally, the sick person is given a towel…