Being active at age five helps kids to stay lean as they age even if they don’t continue to be as active later in childhood. “We call this effect ‘banking’ because the kids benefit later on, similar to having a savings account at a bank. The protective effect is independent of what happens in between,” Janz went on to say.

Using a special scanner that accurately measures bone, fat, and muscle tissue, and an accelerometer that measures movment every minute, the UI team tested the body fat and activity level of 333 kis at ages five, eight, and eleven. The kids wore accelerometers to record their activity level for up to five days, providing much more solid data than relying on kids or parents to track minutes of exercise.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, indicates that kids who are active at age five end up with less fat at age eight and eleven, even when controlling for their accumulated level of activity. The average five-year-old in the study got thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. For every ten minutes on top of that, kids had one-third of a pound less fat tissue at ages eight and eleven.

Although further investigation is needed to learn what happens to the bodies of the active kids that keeps them in better shape down the road, Janz said that it may be possible that the active 5-year-olds didn’t develop as many fat cells, improved their insulin response, or that something happened metabolically that supplied some protection even as they became less active.

Nonetheless, as impressive as this study is, weight moderation is not the only benefit of early exercise. As a chiropractor I have discovered over the years that active kids don’t have as many of the usual childhood health problems, such as catching colds and the flu. Chiropractic treatment is, naturally, particularly beneficial in helping kids to stay healthier. But, in addition, the stimulation to the brain that happens during activities, especially those that necessitate “cross pattern” motor movements of the larger muscles, i.e., right hand/left leg and left hand/right leg, such as crawling, running, climbing, and skipping, also boosts the autoimmune system and keeps kids healthier.

A large number children nowadays are overweight and unhealthy. Though part of the problem is an inappropriate diet, lack of exercise is also a major contributing factor. If you have a five-year-old who prefers to watch television or play video games rather than participating in more active play, help your child to get up and get moving into healthier activities. Moderate to vigorous activity will not only benefit your child now, but will assist in building a healthier future. You can bank on it!

Technorati Tags: children's health, chiropractic, chiropractor

Parents are disinclined to simply mask symptoms with medication, and they are frightened about side effects. Their desire to attain a state of true health for their children has encouraged moms and dads to look for health care alternatives that assist their child’s own inherent ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option. All children function better with 100% nerve function. The immune system is regulated by the nervous system. When it is working optimally, children stay healthier.  In the case of children’s health, “the best offense is a good defense.” Children are exposed to so many health-endangering illnesses every day that it would be unfeasible to immunize them against them all, even if there were such immunization available. Your Chiropractor is very familiar with colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they are growing up.

Most illnesses that affect children are avoidable. Chiropractic treatment helps to remove interferences to the inherent healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that power is released, the changes that take place quite frequently are profound.

Furthermore, a child is lesslikely to be injured at play or in sports when his or her spine is in alignment. In addition, children who get adjusted on a regular basis don’t seem to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Lately, we are finding at your Chiropractor that more and more parents are bringing their children to us for everyday childhood health concerns. Every child is entitled to manifest their entire potentiality. Chiropractic care for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

Technorati Tags: children's health, chiropractic, chiropractor