According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly seven percent of kids and teens suffer a concussion. That number increases with age. By the time kids reach ages 12-17, about 12 percent suffer a concussion. Fortunately, most are able to make a full recovery with early recognition of symptoms and proper treatment. A … Continued
While many parents believe afternoon snacks spoil dinner appetites, it turns out snacks are good for kids to help them grow and develop, as well as stay focused on schoolwork. For optimal health and nutrition, it’s important for them to fuel properly throughout the day so they are prepared to learn and participate in after-school … Continued
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, social anxiety affects about nine percent of children. It typically begins in early childhood or adolescence and occurs in situations where there might be judgment or scrutiny from others. Kids with social anxiety might withdraw or limit their social experiences to avoid doing something that may result … Continued
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids ages 8-18 spend an average of 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen for entertainment. This number does not include time spent with a screen for school or educational purposes. There’s no question that now, more than ever before, screens play a big role in our … Continued
The summer of 2021 looks promising, thanks to rising vaccination rates and fewer cases of COVID-19. Many states have lifted travel restrictions and capacity limits, making domestic travel a safe possibility. If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can do many of the things you used to do before the pandemic—travel, hit the pool, eat out or … Continued
If your child is overweight, you might think he or she will eventually grow into those extra pounds. But this isn’t always the case. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity affects one in five kids and teens. There are a number of factors that contribute to this issue: increased screen time, … Continued
There’s a common saying: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is often true when it comes to healthy eating. Planning your meals in advance greatly increases the odds you’ll eat a more nutritious diet. Families today are busier than ever. Between work, school, after-school sports, music lessons, study time and more, … Continued
Weight loss is one of the top motivating factors for adults to get active. But kids are a bit different. While achieving a healthy weight is an excellent reason for kids to get enough physical activity, their motivation is usually more about having fun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids need … Continued
For some kids, a new school year leads to stress and anxiety rather than excitement. Laura Koehler, Psy. D., from Edward-Elmhurst Health, appeared on ABC7’s Windy City Live to help Chicago-area residents learn more about school refusal – who’s most affected, common signs and symptoms, and the most effective treatment options.
American kids and teens spend a lot of time playing on their phones, tablets and computers – in many cases, up to eight hours a day. This isn’t a good thing – it turns out too much screen time can greatly hinder learning and development. The amount of screen time your child should get varies … Continued
