WELLNESS CORNER ARCHIVE _______________________________________________________________________________ Wellness Corner September 2011 Childhood obesity has become one of the nation’s greatest concerns. Overweight and obese children are at a high risk for diabetes, heart disease, asthma and behavioral problems. The costs for treating obesity and obesity related diseases are rising year after year, with health problems being developed at younger ages. What causes obesity? Unhealthy eating which includes large portion sizes and an excess of sweet foods, sweet drinks (including soda pop) and high fat foods. Physical inactivity is also a major cause, with less children playing outside and more children sitting and watching television and playing inactive video games. What can we do? There is no one right answer to the childhood obesity problem. A lifestyle change for the entire family that builds around healthier eating choices and physical activity is needed. Guidelines to follow:  Ask for specific advice from the doctor if your child is overweight
Be a role model for children and make your own lifestyle change Be active as a family; turn off the TV and computer screens; limit screen time with a goal of one hour per day Include children in the planning, shopping and cooking of family meals Avoid empty calories from sodas, sweets, and chips Make sure children get at least nine hours of sleep at night Never use food as a reward or punishment; it is okay to say no to a child’s request for unhealthy foods; offer a fruit or vegetable instead Remember - be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. . Wellness Corner June 2011 Healthy habits start at an early age. Parents play a large role in teaching their children about food and nutrition. Here are some tips to build healthy eating habits from an early age: - Remember, you control the options. Offer your child two healthy options for drink or snack and let them decide. This will guide them on how to make healthy choices in the real world.
- Allow your children to stop eating when they are full. When children listen to their feelings of hunger and fullness they are less likely to overeat and become overweight.
- Be careful not to make healthy foods seem like a punishment.
- Offer a wide variety of foods because food preferences are developed early in life.
- Do not use food as a reward - children will begin to use food to deal with emotions or stress, which follows them into adulthood.
You can set your children on a healthy path that will lead them through life. Making good habits early will benefit them in the long run. Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. Wellness Corner May 2011 Physical activity is important for happy and healthy kids. Being physically fit as a child can help lessen the chance of obesity as an adult. Here are some ways to include more physical activity in your family’s schedule: ü Allow only 1 hour of TV, video games and computer each evening ü Dig and plant in a garden ü Take the family pet for a walk or jog ü Schedule time each day for physical activity ü Play backyard sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball Being active as a family will bring your family closer and set good examples for lifelong physical activity patterns. Help your kids get off to a running start. Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime April Wellness Corner Whooping cough (Pertussis) has been widespread in California and has caused many students to miss school because they were sick. To help protect your children and others from whooping cough, a new California law now requires students to be vaccinated against the illness. For the 2011-12 school year, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) before starting school. By law, students who do not have proof of having received a Tdap booster shot will not be able to start school until proof is provided to the school (the tetanus-diphtheria booster shot, Td, will not meet the requirement). If your child has not received the booster, please take him/her to their regular source of medical care and remember to take their immunization card to the appointment. If your child has already received the booster, please bring their record or immunization card to the school health office. If your child does not have health insurance, the Tdap vaccine is provided free of charge at the following locations: The Pomona Health Center, 750 S. Park Ave., Pomona Monday - Friday 8:00 - 10:30 a.m., 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. (hours are subject to change) For information call: 909-868-0270 PUSD Health Services Clinic, 200 E. 7th St., Pomona Tuesday, 1:30-6:00 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:30-3:30 p.m. For information call: 909-397-4800 ext. 3966 Please remember to bring your child’s immunization card with you to the clinic. If you have questions about this requirement please contact your school nurse or call 909-397-4711 ext. 3849. Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. March March is National Nutrition Month and the American Dietetic Association reminds us that a good way to make sure that our meals are healthy is to include a “rainbow” of fruit and vegetables with every meal. Here are some of the benefits that colors have to offer: - Dark Green: Supply many nutrients including fiber and folate. Includes broccoli, green beans, asparagus, and zucchini
- Red: Provide nutrients that reduce cancer risk. Some of these nutrients are absorbed better when cooked, such as cooked tomatoes in spaghetti sauce. Includes tomatoes, red bell peppers, strawberries, and red cabbage
- Blue/Purple: Protect cells from damage and also helps to reduce the risk of some types of cancers. Includes blueberries, eggplants, figs, and plums
- Orange: Orange vegetables are good sources of vitamin A, which keeps our eyes healthy and reduces the risk of heart disease. Includes pumpkin, squash, cantaloupe, and apricots
Source: eatright.org Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. December Parties are a great time for your children to relax and enjoy socializing with friends and family. Unfortunately, they are also a time when healthy eating habits are often forgotten and children tend to indulge in foods that have almost no nutrient value. Now is the time to serve healthier options for your child’s next party. Healthier Party Treats: Beverages: water, nonfat milk, 100% natural juices, fruit smoothies Snacks/Finger Foods: carrots, celery, and bell pepper strips, with guacamole, bean, or yogurt dip. Sweet Treats: fruit kabobs, fruited gelatin, fresh fruit and/or vegetable tray Main Course: sandwich wraps, whole wheat English muffin pizzas, finger sandwiches Cake: fruit muffins or cupcakes topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit As parents you play a vital role in teaching healthy habits to your children. Serving one or two nutritious treats should help make your child’s next party healthier and unique. Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. Source: Lunchbyte Systems Inc. Wellness Corner November Parents, Please note this important information about the new Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Immunization Requirement. If your child, 10 years and older, has not yet received the 'Tdap' pertussis booster shot, please contact your doctor or health department. Getting a booster shot now will protect your child against the ongoing threat of pertussis and meet a new school requirement that begins in the 2011-12 school year (California law-Assembly Bill 354). Our District Clinic also provides Tdap vaccine to Pomona Unified School District students and siblings during the regular clinic hours of Tuesday 1:30-6 PM and Thursday 1:30-3:30PM. The clinic is located at 200 E. 7th St. in Pomona and the phone is 909-397-4800 ext. 3966. Vaccine is also available for Los Angeles County residents at the Pomona Health Center, 750 S. Park Ave. in Pomona. Please call 909-623-5690 for hours. January Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis) is a highly contagious disease that can affect adults, adolescents, and infants. So what can you do to help protect yourself and those around you? Get vaccinated. There is a vaccine called Tdap that can help prevent Whooping Cough in adults and adolescents. The California Department of Public Health recommends that all California’s 10 year olds and older receive a Tdap booster shot against the Whooping Cough (Pertussis), please contact your doctor or health department for more information. Getting a booster shot now will protect you and your child against the ongoing threat of Whooping Cough and meet a new school requirement that began July 1, 2010 (California law-Assembly Bill 354). The Pomona Unified School District Clinic also provides Tdap Vaccine to enrolled students and their siblings during the regular clinic hours. The vaccine is also available for Los Angeles County residents at the Pomona Health Center. Students and Siblings: | Adults and Children (Pomona Residents): | PUSD Health Services Clinic | Pomona Health Center | 200 E. 7th St. | 750 S. Park Ave. | Pomona, CA 91766 | Pomona, CA 91766 | (909) 397-4800, Ext. 3966 | (909) 868-0235 | Tuesday 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Call for hours | Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | |
Remember – be kind to your body and it will last a lifetime. ______________________________________________________________________________ | 
