Kids Health and Safety - for Parents of Teenagers and Tweens

Obesity, having too much body fat, is growing concern for parents and healthcare providers. The government has even taken notice. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of obesity in children has more than tripled over the last three decades

The teen years are the perfect time to start teaching kids how to cook. It is a skill that can last a lifetime with many benefits gained along the way. Not only do kids unknowingly get a math and science lesson, but they also learn about food, nutrition, and even following directions. Plus, it's a fun way to spend family time.

You may have been dreading its start, but it's here! According to the National Institutes of Health, puberty typically begins between the ages of 10 to 14 for girls and between 12 and 16 for boys.

Who doesn't love a good snack? Most kids do, especially when they get home from school and need a little something to hold them over until dinner. Smart snacking provides kids with some energy to sustain their growing bodies and replenishes the vast amounts of energy they use throughout the day. Junk-food snacking, on the other hand, can be detrimental to your child's health and may even lead to obesity. The key is to know the difference between the two and opt for the first!

Good personal hygiene is essential at any age. But when kids are young, parents do everything for them. By the time they are in school, however, it's a whole new ball game. Kids can begin taking on hygiene tasks themselves. But they will still need a little guidance in order to master it!

Child obesity is at record levels! More than 20% of kids are considered obese, which is a triple the number of obese children from thirty years ago. It is possible to help keep your child's weight in check, though. The more you know, the more your child will benefit.

Approximately 80,000 cases of child sex abuse are reported each year. And, there are many other cases that are never reported. Underreporting may happen because many parents simply don't know about it, and many children are too afraid to tell their parents. As you might imagine, child sex abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on a child's life.

While making sure kids get enough exercise is not always an issue for parents, many parents, educators, and health professionals consider a lack of exercise cause for concern. Today's kids have many options that seem to keep them more sedentary than ever before. From video games to computers and beyond, kids are often sitting in front of electronic devices, rather than keeping physically active. And that can result in some serious health problems!

One of the most popular hangouts for kids is at the mall or local shopping center. It may seem like a harmless place to enjoy some social fun, but when you dig a little deeper, it is clear to see that there are problems and safety issues parents should understand.

Maintaining your child's health as he grows can be a complex and multi-faceted task. Once your child becomes a teenager, there are several new health issues to deal with, such as sexual health, body image, and self-esteem problems. These issues can result in additional stress for your child and therefore it's important you tackle these challenges together. Creating an open dialog is important at this age.