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  • How to know if your child is getting enough water during these summer months

    For kids, summer days mean no school and more time to play outside with friends. And while it’s important for kids to stay active throughout the day for optimal health, it’s equally important to ensure they are drinking enough water for proper hydration, especially during these hot and humid months! It is easy for kids to become mildly dehydrated without even knowing it, which is a reason for concern given that adequate hydration helps a child function more optimally physically and mentally.

    Let’s look at some facts:

    50% of children in the U.S. do not drink enough water 25% of children do not drink plain water at all Boys are 76% more likely to be dehydratedDr. Safder, pediatric gastroenterologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital, recently appeared in a news segment to offer tips to parents on how to make sure their kids are drinking enough water.

    Here are the signs she says to look for:

    Excessive thirst Fatigue Dry mouth Headaches Child is not sweating enough Warm body temperature Urine is dark yellow and concentrated Child is not performing as well in school as he or she normally does*A child can develop kidney stones as a result of dehydration, which can be painful and uncomfortable for your child.

  • How to protect your children from sexual abuse

    A few months ago the famous reality television family, the Duggars, made headlines when reports surfaced that the eldest child, who is now a husband and father in his late twenties, sexually abused several young girls (including several of his sisters) when he was a teenager. There are supporters of the family who say that the family did all of the right things, and there are critics who feel that more could have been done to address the abuse and support the victims. The show and the family have been loved by many for the strong family values they encourage. The idea that this family, a family that appears wholesome and “perfect” could be harboring a secret like this was shocking to many.

  • Why Teens Need the HPV Vaccine—Now

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes at least 26,000 cases of cancer every year in the United States: about 18,000 in women and 8,000 in men. In 2006 a vaccine was licensed to prevent most of these cancers as well as venereal warts. First recommended for girls, the victims of more HPV-related cancers, the HPV vaccine was soon recommended for boys as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HPV immunization for all preteens between the ages of 11 and 12 years, prior to any risk of exposure.

    The reality of HPV immunization in the U.S.

    About 80% of us will contract HPV in our lives. Fortunately, most HPV infection is cleared by the immune system without long-term consequences. The unfortunate few go on to develop devastating disease. Sadly, the immunization rate of U.S. teens against HPV is very low. By 2013 less than half of all teens had received even one dose of an HPV vaccine. Currently, only 24% of preteens aged 11 to 12 years of age have begun the series.

    Why are vaccination rates so low?

    HPV is difficult for parents to think about because it is mostly transmitted by some form of sexual contact. However, as much as we don’t want to think about our youngsters becoming sexual beings, they will. It is actually our goal as parents to have our children grow up and have families. Thus, acknowledging that our children may at some time in their lives contract HPV is our responsibility.

  • Soothing your baby after shots with the 5 S’s

    As a new parent, bringing your child in for the 2 month and 4 month shots can almost seem unbearable. Watching your child’s eyes fill with a flood of tears after being stuck with a needle can cause many parents to second-guess the importance of these vaccinations for newborns. Parents are not the only ones who are concerned; doctors are too, which has led to research studies to find a better method for soothing a baby’s pain.

  • Watch your words: labeling your kids can have long-lasting effects

    This post was originally posted in May 2014.

  • 3 steps to change your kids’ picky eating habits

    When it comes to getting picky eaters to expand their horizons, parents’ opinions are as varied as the vegetables their kids won’t eat. Every parent seems to have a philosophy on the “picky eater problem” but let’s be honest, we have no idea if the principles we adhere to really work. Well, here’s some good news for every parent struggling with the age-old problem of how to handle finicky eaters.

  • 8 reasons to make a green smoothie for your kids

    As a Registered Dietitian for Teen Xpress, I work with many teenagers who are hesitant to try new foods. My goal is to introduce them to delicious but also nutritious foods to help improve eating habits. I teach a nutrition class, called Healthy Me, to select middle schools around Orange County. This class is a great opportunity for me to introduce teenagers to different types and combinations of foods. During one of my classes, I set up a smoothie bar for the students. In addition to the students’ individual smoothies, I decided to make a “different” one for them to try. They had a difficult time guessing what made the smoothie green. After a few minutes of guessing, I finally broke the news to them; they just drank spinach! Many of them were surprised that they enjoyed the smoothie even though they dislike spinach. One student looked up at me and said, “I really like this Ms. Holly. I am going to put spinach in my smoothie from now on!”. It is amazing how sampling different foods can impact future eating habits.

  • Could cyberbullying be the cause of depression in your teen?

    Nearly everyone is familiar these days with the terms "cyberbullying" or "online bullying". This is a form of bullying where someone is harassed, threatened, or humiliated through the internet, usually through various social media networks. It is becoming increasingly common; statistics say about 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out of 10 say it has happened more than once. These figures sound about right to me. At Teen Xpress, I have several students every week tell me that they are dealing with some sort of online bullying.

    Cyberbullying can lead to depression in teens

    Being intimidated, verbally abused, or harassed online can wreak havoc on a young person’s psyche, causing a multitude of issues, especially depression. When looking specifically at depression, it’s hard to know the exact numbers or relationship between the two because bullying is usually underreported (with an average of only 1 out of 10 young people telling an adult).

  • Does your newborn need a Vitamin K injection immediately after birth?

    Those first moments after your baby is born can feel like a whirlwind.

  • Why Teens Need the HPV Vaccine Now

    Human papillomavirus causes at least 26,000 cases of cancer every year in the United States: about 18,000 in women and 8,000 in men. In 2006 a vaccine was licensed to prevent most of these cancers as well as venereal warts. First recommended for girls, the victims of more HPV-related cancers, the HPV vaccine was soon recommended for boys as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HPV immunization for all preteens between the ages of 11 and 12 years, prior to any risk of exposure.