By now, we know that childhood obesity is a major problem in the U.S. Diabetes, high blood pressure and other problems go along with this problem. However, recent studies have found a link between a popular childhood activity and high blood pressure, even in otherwise healthy condition.
Children love to play video games, and these games have come under fire for many reasons. They’re blamed for the obesity epidemic, and studies have been done to find a link between these games and aggressive/violent behavior in children. Now, they have been linked to high blood pressure.
One reason could be the sedentary nature of these activities. Studies involving children show that an average of six hours per day are spent in passive or sedentary activities such as watching television, using a computer or playing video games. That’s a lot of time sitting, and it’s bound to have some effect.
High blood pressure can do a lot of damage to the body, no matter the age. Heart disease and kidney failure can both be linked to it. As parents, we have a responsibility to our children to keep them safe from problems. This information can help in that effort.
What can we do? First off, we need to get our children moving. Sports, tag and physical activities are needed to keep BP down and improve muscle tone. We should also lead by example and do some sort of exercise. Activities done as a family can be a lot of fun. Go for family bike rides, try hiking or join a parent/child bowling league. This can also help relationships in the family.
The diet is another area that should be examined. Even if your child is at an ideal weight by age/height/gender, to much fat and salt will cause problems that could last a lifetime. Teach the kids about a good diet, and follow through with the meals you make at home. You may want to take them to the grocery store to help pick healthy foods that they are willing to eat. Introduce them to a wide variety of foods. It might even be fun (if chaotic) to let them help make dinner.
Children and herbal remedies don’t always mix well, so you will want to talk to your child’s pediatrician before using herbs of any sort. However, adding a lot of garlic to your cooking shouldn’t be a problem and can help maintain a healthy blood pressure for the entire family. If they tolerate it well, cayenne can also be beneficial.
For more information about home remedies, you can visit my site: http://healing-home-remedies.com/. There are blogs and articles about many herbs and the conditions they may help. Subjects include stress, back pain, the flu, gout and cholesterol. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. The report discusses the uses, side effects, precautions and interactions of popular herbs. My eBooks, also found on the site, contain information about foods and herbs that can help you deal with the problems life throws our way. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at: mary@healing-home-remedies.com. Mary Bodel
