We all look forward to setting new goals and New Year’s Resolutions, and getting healthy is usually at the top of that list! What about our kiddos?
Research shows that 16-33% of children are obese. Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
These are sad and disheartening statistics.
What can we do to help? Encourage your children to exercise! Children need 60 or more minutes of aerobic physical activity each day; strengthening and bone strengthening activities at least 3 days/week.
Examples: running, biking, jump rope, push-ups, etc.
Some kids need more help.
“My child was not the star athlete and it was hard for her to keep up with her peers. She didn’t have strength, endurance or confidence until starting Physical Therapy!”
Below is a list of skills to be on the lookout for when you are helping your child stay healthy. If you checked yes on any of these items, your child may benefit from Physical Therapy Intervention.
Check List for Potential Need for Physical Therapy Intervention
- Seems weak, low muscle tone.
- Difficulty catching him/herself if falling.
- Frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk.
- Difficulty learning exercise or dance steps. Needs more practice learning skill than peers.
- Fatigues easily.
- Difficulty following several steps for instructions for doing motor tasks.
- Difficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach (“superman” position).
- Has difficulty hopping, jumping, and skipping, going up/down stairs.
- Often sits in a “W sit” position on the floor to stabilize body.
- Reluctant to participate in sports - prefers sedentary activities.
- May appear ambidextrous, frequently switching hands for coloring, cutting, writing, etc.; does not have an established hand preference/dominance by 4 or 5 years old.
- Clumsy, stiff, awkward, does not know how to move.
- Compensates for “looseness” by grasping objects tightly.
- Tendency to confuse left-right orientations/body sides.
- Falls frequently.
- Likes to spin in circles.
- Difficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttons.
- Avoids activities that challenge balance, has a fear of heights, poor balance during motor activities.
- Difficulty throwing/catching/kicking, jumping, climbing.
- Bumps into furniture or people, knocks things over, trips, appears clumsy
- Difficulty with holding pencils, handwriting, scissors, etc.
- Avoids playground activities.
The above items demonstrate possible areas of lack of strength, coordination, motor planning, balance, proprioceptive, and vestibular processing deficiencies. Physical Therapy will help address the underlying condition, and lay the framework for developmental success.
““The weekly Physical Therapy, as well as the daily home exercise program, have helped my son tremendously. The therapy exercises have been instrumental in correcting his issues with balance, increased his muscle strength and overall coordination, not to mention the incredible gains in his self-esteem. ”
Help your child get started being more healthy today! Call 214.856.4653 to schedule an appointment.
