Be Aware and Take Care: Environment, Health, and Children

Healthy Kids Make Happy Kids
Source: http://webndbitesoflife.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/make-sure-your-children-have-the-best-chance-to-be-healthy/

 

 

We're kicking off the month of October today, which holds nice, mild to crisp days and pretty fall colors.  As the segway month into cooler weather hibernation, October has aptly been named National Farm-to-School month, Children's Health Month, and International Walk to School Month to remind the public that we still need to be connected to the outdoors and thinking about environmental health.

 

Obesity is still on the rise in the nation and statistics show that the epidemic is even more prevalent in North Carolina than other parts of the country.  Data from the 2004 NC Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance System (NC-NPASS) show that childhood obesity affects:

•27.2 percent of youth 12 to 18 years of age
•23.8 percent of children five to 11 years
•14.9 percent of preschool children

Source: http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/advice_from_doctors/your_childs_health/obesity

 

Studies have shown a correlation suggesting that the amount of time spent outside decreases obesity and ADHD symptoms, and it has been shown to improve school performance on End-of-Course standardized tests.

Sources: http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Time_Spent_Outside; https://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Benefits.aspx

Environmental factors also play a role in the childhood obesity epedimic by affecting our eating habits.  These include lack of access to healthy food choices and oversized food portions.  Often the cheapest and easiest foods to obtain are processed foods that are high in fat and in high in sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup. 



Healthy Choices!
Source: http://www.fitnessmantra.info/

For many school children, the cafeteria is where they will consume over 50% of their meals for the day.  National Farm to School month promotes Farm to School programs that are based on the premise that students will choose healthier foods, including more fruits and vegetables, if products are fresh, locally grown, and picked at the peak of their flavor and if those choices are reinforced with educational activities. Farm to School programs not only benefit children by providing healthier choices, but also benefit the environment by promoting local farmers and decreasing the need for fossil fuels.  For complete information on this program and how you could become involved in your child's school, click here.

Another children's health issue in North Carolina is asthma. A recent survey of North Carolina middle school children revealed that 10 percent had been diagnosed with asthma and another 17 percent had asthma symptoms that had never been diagnosed.  Asthma in children has been linked to both outdoor and indoor air quality.  Source: http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oii/mold/healtheffects.html

To learn more about environment and children's health, visit the EPA's website. The EPA is celebrating Children's Health Month with the mission to protect human health and the environment.  Children are more affected by pollution than adults for many reasons. They are smaller, their organ systems are still developing, their play and learning behaviors expose them to additional environmental threats.  Learn more here.

Stay tuned for more events in October that promote children's environmental health.