Survey says … parents are concerned.
Parents have always worried about their kids, whether they’re tots or teens. But as times change, so do these concerns. This year’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s National Poll on Children’s Health is a prime example of how parents’ concerns today differ from what plagued their minds in the past. Compared to last year, the annual survey found that Internet safety climbed from eighth most worrisome to a more pronounced fourth. In 2008, childhood obesity was No. 1, while drug abuse was second and smoking third. Here’s a look at the results from the latest survey.
1. Childhood obesity
It’s no surprise childhood obesity is the No. 1 concern parents grapple with, says Dr. Matthew M. Davis, director of the national poll and professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. “That’s because obesity can create health problems for children today and also far into the future by putting them and young adults at risk for health problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol and even depression,” he says. Dr. Sandra G. Hassink, a pediatrician at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says making sure the home has nutritional snacks and meals is one way to promote healthful eating.
2. Bullying
If you’re worried your child is being bullied, just ask him or her, Hassink says. “There’s been times in my office where I’ve asked the child, who said yes, and the parent had no idea,” she explains. Most schools have anti-bullying policies. Consider connecting with the school to find out what its game plan is and how to stay involved, she says, adding: “It’s OK to run interference with this issue, because it’s pervasive and really hurtful.”
3. Drug abuse
“Although the drugs children and teens abuse change over time, the level of public concern on drug abuse has not,” Davis says. Hassink recommends checking your medicine cabinet and keeping inventory to ensure no medications are taken without your knowledge. Also be aware of who your kids are hanging out with and know the signs of drug abuse. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Dependence, warning signs include bloodshot eyes or pupils that are smaller or larger than usual, frequent nosebleeds and changes in appetite, sleep, weight or mood.
4. Internet safety
“This is a wildcard for parents,” Hassink says, describing kids’ Internet safety — which jumped from eighth place last year to fourth this year. Aside from limiting computer use to public places in the home, she recommends keeping cellphones off limits in children’s bedrooms. Gaming can also be dangerous when it spans long periods of time, isolating kids from their families and hindering physical activity. Some teens have told Hassink gaming is like playing a sport for eight hours. “The further in it goes, the harder it is to extricate yourself,” she says.
5. Child abuse and neglect
“It’s one of the most challenging problems in our society when it comes to children’s well-being,” Davis says of this perennial top concern. That’s because abuse and neglect can occur silently and out of view, and in some cases require a person-to-person intervention, “which makes it necessary for our families and our neighborhoods and communities to be alert,” Davis says. The AAP estimates approximately 3 million cases of child abuse and neglect involving almost 5.5 million children are reported each year. Physical signs include any injury, while behavioral signs range from nightmares, depression, bedwetting, attempts to run away, headaches, difficulty in school and changes in weight.
6. Sexting
There’s a strong link, Davis says, between sexting, Internet safety and bullying in today’s technology-driven world. “I think sometimes when you have a problem like this, you literally have to draw out for the adolescent the consequences for their behavior — ‘so if you do this, what could happen?'” Hassink says. Lead teens down that thought pathway, she says, and highlight the potential repercussions their actions could bring. This may help them understand that their personal images or information could be used against them by peers they consider their friends.
7. Smoking and tobacco use
It’s well-known that cigarette smoking is strongly linked to heart disease and cancer, Davis says. Hassink adds that kids in homes with smokers are more likely to smoke, so it’s important to start educating children early about the dangers of smoking. It’s encouraging to note, however, that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently released data showing that kids are smoking cigarettes less today than they were when the survey began in 2007, when parents rated smoking as their third biggest concern about their kids’ health.
8. School violence
“To see school violence in the top 10 is a fairly new phenomenon, [starting] after we saw the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. But it was also likely influenced by many other episodes of school violence that have emerged across the country,” Davis says. The best safeguard you can count on is checking your school’s policies on routines and safety procedures. “What do you know about the safety of your child’s school system?” Hassink says. “Many parents don’t know.”
9. Teen pregnancy
Teen pregnancy has always ranked as a major concern among parents. However, parents can rest assured that the number of teen pregnancies in the U.S. has fallen, Davis says. “Fortunately, over the last several years, the teen pregnancy rate in the U.S. has gone down, and if we could continue that process, it would be the result of efforts made by public health authorities, communities and families addressing this issue,” he says.
10. Stress
Stress became one of parents’ primary concerns around the time of the economic downturn of 2008, Davis says. “We have connected this to financial stress in the household level and a broadening awareness that there are many levels of stress for kids in today’s environment related to Internet safety, bullying and the possibility that they may have been exposed to child abuse and neglect,” he adds. The bottom line? If you need stress relief, chances are your kids do, too. Hassink suggests kids go for a walk, play with the dog, create artwork or listen to music.
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10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids’ Health originally appeared on usnews.com
