“Wee”llness

Make Fitness Fun and a Part of your Everyday Life!

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America. Overweight or obese children can experience serious health problems ranging from asthma, sleep apnea, skin infections and joint pain to high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity can also take its toll on a child’s emotional well being leading to depression, low self-esteem and social problems.

How You Can Help Your Child and Yourself As Well:

• Limit TV, video, and computer games.
• Encourage your child to participate in sports or other activities. Great activities include dancing, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, soccer, golf, and horseback riding.
• Have birthday parties involving activity such as skating parties.
• Give gifts that encourage physical activity such as bikes, skates, hula hoops, jump ropes, etc.
• Not all children enjoy team sports, so help your child discover a suitable match for them and then support them by attending performances and games.
• Show your children that it is okay to take the stairs or park further away in the parking lot and walk to your destination.
• Walk the dog together as a family.
• Limit fast food, take out and eating out.
• Regularly eat meals together as a family
• Eat breakfast daily.
• Plan physical activity as a part of your vacation (hiking, skiing, swimming, biking, etc.).
• Promote participation, not performance and above all…HAVE FUN!

Our physicians strongly believe that all children receive their scheduled immunizations. Our immunizations are given according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Speak with one of our clinical staff or providers about recommended vaccinations for your child.

*All information below comes directly from the Center for Disease Control’s Vaccine Information Library.

• What are the side effects of vaccines?*
  • Like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild. On the other hand, many vaccine-preventable disease symptoms can be serious, or even deadly. Even though many of these diseases are rare in this country, they still occur around the world. Unvaccinated U.S. citizens who travel abroad can bring these diseases to the U.S., putting unvaccinated children at risk.The side effects from vaccines are almost always minor (such as redness and swelling where the shot was given) and go away within a few days. If your child experiences a reaction at the injection site, use a cool, wet cloth to reduce redness, soreness, and swelling.Serious side effects after vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare and doctors and clinic staff are trained to deal with them. Pay extra attention to your child for a few days after vaccination. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.
• Why are vaccines so important?*
  • On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.
• Can my child still get the disease that the vaccine is trying to prevent?*
  • It isn’t very common, but it can happen. Depending on the vaccine, about 1% to 5% of children who are vaccinated fail to develop immunity. If these children are exposed to that disease, they could get sick. Sometimes giving an additional vaccine dose will stimulate an immune response in a child who didn’t respond to 1 dose. For example, a single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95% of children, but after 2 doses, almost 100% are immune.Sometimes a child is exposed to a disease just prior to being vaccinated, and gets sick before the vaccine has had time to work. Sometimes a child gets sick with something that is similar to a disease they have been vaccinated against. This often happens with flu. Many viruses cause symptoms that look like flu, and people even call some of them flu, even though they are really something else. Flu vaccine doesn’t create immunity to these viruses.
• Why do I need to immunize my child for a disease that is uncommon or even rare?
  • That’s a reasonable question. Statistically, the chances of any particular child getting measles, pertussis, or another vaccine-preventable disease might be low.But you don’t wear a seatbelt because you expect to be in a serious accident; you wear it because you want to be protected in the unlikely event that you are. If you’re never in an accident, the benefit of wearing a seatbelt might be zero. But if you are, the consequences of not wearing it can be very high.It’s the same with vaccines. Your child might never need the protection they offer, but you don’t want him to be lacking that protection if he ever does need it.
• Where can I find out more information about vaccines?
  • https://healthychildren.org

At Eastern Pediatrics it is our goal for the children we take care of to finish life’s journey old, healthy, and happy. We believe all parents want that for their children, and we try to guide parents on teaching their children the four pillars to obtain a long, healthy, happy life.

These pillars are good nutrition, regular exercise, proper sleep, and taking care of your body. Our emphasis on good nutrition, regular exercise, proper sleep, and teaching self-care equips parents and children with the essential building blocks for a healthy and happy life. This comprehensive approach, often referred to as preventive pediatric care, is widely supported by health organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here is a breakdown of how our four “pillars” guide parents toward the goal of raising healthy and happy children:

Proper nutrition is fundamental for a child’s physical growth, brain development, and emotional regulation. The guidance we provide to parents helps establish healthy eating habits from birth, which can prevent childhood obesity and chronic diseases later in life.

Focus on breast feeding: Breast milk is considered the best nutrition for infants. By promoting breast feeding we help ensure children have the best start for a strong healthy immune system, great brain development, strong bonds between the mother and the child, and developing self regulation in relation to food.

Focus on whole foods: Advising parents to offer a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins helps ensure children receive the vitamins, minerals, and fiber they need.

Encourage family meals: Sharing meals together provides an opportunity for family bonding and is associated with healthier eating habits and lower rates of disordered eating and substance abuse in adolescents.

Manage sugar and salt: Limiting sugary drinks and processed foods helps protect against chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Regular physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, reduces stress, and improves concentration and overall mental well-being. By modeling and promoting an active lifestyle, you help children develop a positive relationship with movement that can last a lifetime.

Prioritize fun: Encouraging parents to find activities the family can enjoy together, like walks, dancing, or playing at the park, makes exercise a rewarding experience, not a chore.

Limit screen time: Setting screen time limits for children ensures they have enough time for physical activity, play, and social interaction.

Organized activity: Getting involved in dance, youth sports, or clubs helps promote exercise, social involvement, and positive role modeling.

Adequate and restful sleep is crucial for a child’s physical and emotional health. During sleep, the body and brain process information, grow, and repair themselves. Insufficient sleep is linked to mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Promote a consistent routine: Establishing a predictable bedtime routine helps signal to a child that it is time to wind down. This could include brushing teeth, reading, or listening to quiet music.

Create a good sleep environment: Limiting screen time before bed and ensuring the bedroom is calm and comfortable helps improve sleep quality.

Educate on age-appropriate needs: Providing parents with information on how many hours of sleep their child needs based on their age helps manage expectations and identify problems early.

This encompasses the broader concept of self-care and emotional wellness. It’s not just about managing physical health, but also teaching children to listen to their bodies and minds.

Model good habits: Parents who role-model self-care habits related to nutrition, activity, and sleep are more likely to have children who adopt those behaviors.

Emphasize mental health: Parents who provide a safe space for children to express their feelings help them build emotional resilience. Eastern Pediatrics also serves as an important point of referral for mental health specialists when needed.

Foster independence: Teaching children to participate in their own care—by helping with meal prep, being active, or establishing their routines—empowers them to take ownership of their health.

At Eastern Pediatrics our Board certified providers are also here to assist families when their children experience illness and injuries. This approach recognizes that the goal of a long, healthy, and happy life is achieved not through a single intervention but through a lifetime of consistent, healthy habits. By guiding parents on these four pillars, Eastern Pediatrics is empowering families to build a strong foundation for their children’s future well-being.