Healthy Living Twitter Weekly Recap

Here's a look at my Twitter posts from the last week.

Overweight Moms are more likely to have overweight kids. We need more programs like this: http://bit.ly/xlot3

Encouraging news for families of SMA and muscular dystrophy. http://bit.ly/14socQ

What do 57 different studies have to say about the future of obese kids? http://bit.ly/1iuT7F Not new info, but good to shock into action.

More vitamin D research. Seems that low vitamin D is linked with chronic pain in women. Milk, sun, and vitamins girls! http://bit.ly/11KmKo

Follow me on Twitter!

Enjoy your weekend, and get outside!!!

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Child Obesity and Education

Nice blog post here on the Encyclopedia Brittanica Blog (who knew?!?) about the relationship between childhood obesity and education. Startling and sad.

Also, here's a pretty good handout on Seven Steps to Success in managing childhood obesity. Now, if only we can get someone to pay for it...

Follow me on Twitter!

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

What's been going on...

OK, so it's been a while since my last post. Yes, it's cold and flu season, but there have been other things going on as well.

I gave a talk last week at the Westin in Virginia Beach to local health care professionals on the challenges of managing childhood obesity for the community pediatrician.

It was a fun talk and I got to meet some great people, like Dr. Sandy Hassink of Nemours Dupont Childrens Hospital in Delaware. Dr. Hassink was brilliant and really knows her stuff. She's also quite personable and I enjoyed her company very much.

The talk was arranged by Dr. Elsie Mainali who did a great job putting the symposium together and making it a success, in spite of the snowy weather.

Next up, I'll be at the Taylor Bend YMCA in April for their health and fitness fair. Join me and some of my staff for a great time and learn how to help your family live their healthiest.

New post coming soon. Have any ideas? Post them here!

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Happy New Year!

Have you made a resolution this New Year to help your family get healthier?

Great!

Here are a few tips to help you and your children succeed:

Take it slow. It's tempting to turn your lives upside down in the name of good health. The problem is that most people who make New Year resolutions, have long forgotten about them by February. It's much easier to make changes that stick when you make them slowly, one at a time.

Get everyone involved. It's hard to make changes if the rules only apply to half the household. Be consistent throughout the house and get everyone on board.

Reward yourselves. Set goals for you and your family, and plan a family reward when you achieve them. Decide something fun to do as a group, and you'll have great motivation to stick with your program.

Want to know how to get healthier? Keep reading the blog, or send me your questions at mscaccia (at) renaissancepeds (dot) com - sorry about spelling it all out, but we need to keep the spam bots away!

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

The UK Gets Tough on Parents

The UK is going to try a new tactic in the war against child obesity. The Guardian is reporting that the British government is starting a public campaign to educate parents as to the consequences of indulging their children with cookies, candies and soft drinks.

Most parents don't realize that the treat they are using as a reward for good behavior may be setting their child up for lifelong health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

The government will use graphic pictures of children suffering the effects that obesity has on a child's health, and directly links this with parental behavior.

This is a bold maneuver, one which I hope has the desired effect of creating an environment of social unacceptability of overindulgence in junk food.

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

The Obesity Tax

David Patterson, the Governor of New York, wrote a commentary on CNN.com justifying his recent proposal for an "obesity tax" on sugared drinks. He is proposing taxing all sugared drinks (not just sodas) in an attempt to dissuade consumption by children.

After reading his commentary, I kept thinking "This guy gets it." Until society starts to address the factors that lead to childhood obesity, we as health care providers are doomed to fail.

Our government needs to reflect an understanding of the negative impact of obesity, and make it a national priority to address the problem through legislation and fund appropriation. Banning soft drinks from the schools was a start. Taxing sugared drinks will also help. More work will need to be done, however, to stem the tide of rampant obesity, and it won't be easy.

A government can tax soft drinks and place a barrier to their consumption, but it is much more difficult to limit TV time for children, or mandate an hour of physical exercise per day. We must use other means to address these factors for a more comprehensive solution to the problem.

Until ignoring childhood obesity becomes socially unacceptable, we will continue to fight an uphill battle. We have only to look at societal progress in reducing tobacco consumption to see what is possible when we as a society put our minds to something.

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Too Much TV is Bad for Children's Health

OK, so this isn't necessarily news, but a recent scientific study highlighted in this TIME magazine article is disturbing nonetheless.

A comprehensive look at the many different effects media has on our youth revealed that the more exposure there was, the greater the risk of childhood obesity, tobacco use, sexual behavior, drug use, alcohol use, low academic achievement and ADHD.

This study actually looked at hundreds of other studies and chose the most scientifically sound and put together their findings.

Let this be a reminder to continue to rein in countless hours in front of the TV. Get your kids up and moving - your family will be happier and healthier for it.

Michael P. Scaccia, M.D., F.A.A.P.