Middle Childhood: Physical Health

Introduction

Overall health is strong and robust at this age
Percentage of obesity increases at this age compared to early childhood
- In school-age children may have increased autonomy over food choices , and prefer sweet or fast foods
- More screen time, insufficient physical activity
- Genetic variables Has long-term health and psychosocial consequences
Has long-term health and psychosocial consequences
- Diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
- Peers, bullying
- Children vulnerable to messages
Some improvement in social policies on healthy eating

Focus on maintaining healthy eating and wellness
1. Need calories for growth , energy
Balance in messages of healthy eating
1. Diet culture pervasive at younger ages, especially as media expands
2. Themes of acceptance
More time needed for school-age children in physical activity, outdoors

Chronic illnesses are on the rise
Asthma: a chronic lung disease that involves episodes of airflow obstruction.
Most common childhood chronic disease.
Incidence has steadily increased over the years.
- Exact causes are unknown, but it is believed that it results from a hypersensitivity to environmental substances that triggers an allergic reaction.
Treated with inhalers and medications.
Physical activity is a possible protective factor against asthma development.
Often monitored in school

Sleep improves for most children and then declines again as older, adolescents
CDC recommends 9-12 hours of sleep
Both lack of sleep and poor sleep quality have negative consequences for children.
Somatic complaints, poorer school performance, mood disorders, motor skills problems, behavior problems
In one study, a pattern of sleep problems over a 4- year period from preschool to school age was associated with a 16-fold increase in the risk of psychosocial symptoms, problems with social interactions, and anxious/depressed mood.
Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) may still occur. Important to look at underlying causes