Nidanam Rehabilitation Services

OBESITY IN CHILDREN Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height The WHO definition is: • A BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight • A BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity According to WHO in 2013, 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY The fundamental cause of obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. . DIET: An increased intake of energy dense food that is high in fat • An increase in physical inactivity due to increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work BEHAVIOUR: In today’s fast paced environment, it is easy to adopt unhealthy behaviors. A simple thing like watching TV during meals can be harmful, as they don’t realize that they are overeating. • Environment: Walking has been replaced by driving cars. Basic physical activity has been replaced by technology • PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS- kids may turn to food as a coping mechanism for dealing with problems or negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. • GENETICS- If child was born into a family of overweight people, he/ she may be genetically predisposed to the condition • MEDICAL CONDITIONS- hypothyroidism • Prader – Willi syndrome • Cushing’s syndrome • SLEEP- fatigue alters the level of appetite regulating hormones, which can cause children to eat more. PREVENTION • Pay attention to your child. Show them you care. Kids who are not tended by adults have higher rates of obesity. • Don’t use food as a comfort measure. • Don’t closely monitor the amounts your child eats or nag your child to eat at mealtime. This can interfere with your child’s response to hunger and feeling full. • Watch your own weight kids under 3 who are overweight but whose parents are not overweight, have a low risk for becoming overweight adults. • Don’t focus on weight. Instead focus on healthy living, good eating habits and physical activity. • Limit television viewing time By: Dr.Kanika Garg

Benefits of sesame seeds and oil • Boosts Bone Health – In addition to promoting healthy skin, zinc has also been shown to boost bone mineral density and bone health as a whole. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found a correlation between zinc deficiency and osteoporosis in the hip and spine area. What’s more, sesame seeds are a great source of calcium – a known trace mineral that is essential for bone health and preventing related conditions. • Boosting Digestive Health, Relieving Constipation – Sesame seeds are rich in fiber, which is known to pave way for a healthy digestive system and a healthy colon. • Provides Relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis – A mineral that is important for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems, copper is known for reducing pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Additionally, this mineral helps provide strength to blood vessels, bones, and joints.

Exercises help in strengthening the muscles around the neck, maintain range of motion and helps in preventing symptoms: Some of the cervical exercises are as follows: These exercises can be done while sitting, standing, or lying on your back: CERVICAL FLEXION Bend your neck slightly forward and put your hand on your forehead. Try to bend your head forward while pushing back with your hand. CERVICAL EXTENSION Keep your up and your neck straight and place your hands at the back of your head. o Try to push your head backwards while pushing forward with your hands. CERVICAL SIDE BENDING Keep your head straight and your chin level. Put your right hand on the right side of your head. o Try to bring your head down to your right shoulder while pushing up with your right hand. o REPEAT the Side Bending, but to the left side with your left hand. CERVICAL ROTATION Put your left hand at chin level and turns your head slightly to the right. Put your right hand on the right side of your face. o Turn your head to the right while pushing it back with your right hand. o REPEAT the Rotation Exercise, but on the left side of your face . Cervical Rom There are three steps to the cervical range of motion exercise. Each step requires that you start by sitting comfortably in a chair. Listen to your body and avoid excessive pain or strain. For the first step, begin by looking over your right shoulder. Gently turn your head through your range of motion. Return to the center and relax. Remember to breathe. Then turn to the left and go through a gentle full range of motion. Come back to the center. For the second step, without raising your right shoulder, slowly lower your head toward your right shoulder. Keeping your shoulder down, bring your head back to the midline position and then tilt to the left side. Remember this movement is coming from your neck and is a gentle, slow movement, not painful. For the third step, slowly rotate your head about 30 degrees toward the right and gently nod your head as if you are saying yes, up and down. This helps to stretch and lengthen your upper neck muscles. Return your head to the center, and repeat this exercise on your left side. Remember, you shouldn’t hunch your shoulders or round your back. Ensure that you maintain good posture throughout this exercise. Repeat each step of the cervical range of motion exercise one to three times. You should do these exercises one to three times per day. Upper trapezius stretching Tilt head away from lowered shoulder by positioning ear toward front of opposite shoulder. Hold stretch. Repeat to other side.