Obesity
There is a huge rise in the numbers of overweight or obese children in the UK over the past 10 years and these numbers are escalating at a scary rate. This is due to an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Children are far less active these days as they are spending more time in front of computers, watching television, playing computer games etc. This situation is exacerbated by the amount of sugary, fatty foods that are available and are often being marketed towards young children. Once children acquire a taste for what is in effect junk food it can be very hard to change their palate. This is why education is really important and children need to understand about healthy foods and the importance of exercise. Overweight children may become quite depressed and it is the responsibility of the parents, schools and health professionals to ensure this situation is minimised.Hyperactivity
A fairly common problem this effects many young children who are at the mercy of their own behaviour and were often previously labelled as naughty. Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is one disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is another. The foods and fluids consumed by the children are responsible for their problem and create inflammation within the brain. Food additives play a large problem but it may be that healthy foods can also play a role here. There are a group of foodstuffs called salicylates which can lead to ADHD and if one is sensitive then it is important to be consuming foods that are low in salicylates. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners may also be added to food and drink and this is not a healthy option.Bowel Problems
Small children can often become constipated as they are not drinking enough water or eat foods which do not agree with them. Sometimes they are scared of having a bowel motion as it is can be a very strong feeling. at other tomes they may not be prepared to take the time to go to the toilet and this turns into a bad habit.It can be difficult when mothers are working to know whether the child has had a bowel movement or not. Families are often living at a faster pace and it is a good idea to find a method so that the parents can keep on top of the situation.Frequent Coughs & Colds
Some children are very prone to coughs and colds and if they are taking antibiotics as a treatment rather than leaving the situation to correct itself this often leads to repeated infections as they are not building up their immune system. Their are vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies e.g. Vitamin C and echinacea that will protect us against infections and help us to recover quickly should we have one. It is very important to build up a good immune system as a child and this is done by a healthy diet and lifestyle.