Keeping kids healthy at school

Learn about 5 steps to help prevent childhood obesity.

Lice are not nice
Another affliction common among school-aged children is head lice -- voracious little parasites that attach themselves to hair follicles close to the scalp. They feast on skin flakes and spread easily from one child to another. Dr. Graves explains that lice are easy to diagnose, as the child will complain about a very itchy scalp. The critters and their eggs, called nits, can be seen with the naked eye. There are some very effective treatments on the market, but it's important that the whole family follow the regime, and all bedding must be thoroughly laundered. A hot dryer will eradicate lice as well as their stubborn, sticky eggs that, if undefeated, can start the whole life cycle over again.

Frost says that the best way to avoid spreading lice at school is to discourage sharing hats and encourage young kids to store their winter headwear and scarves in the sleeves of their coats. "We have eliminated hats in our dress-up corner and removed the tiny combs and brushes the children would use on dolls' hair as it is tempting to try them out," says Frost. Girls with long hair are encouraged to keep it in a ponytail or braids. (Read more about head lice.)

Chicken pox
Several years ago a vaccine for chicken pox was approved for use in Canada. Dr. Graves urges parents to immunize every child against this potentially deadly infection. "Some feel it is better for their child to just get the disease like they did," says Dr. Graves, "but what they may not know is that there are sometimes serious side effects. For example, the most common entry point of flesh-eating bacteria in children is infected chicken pox lesions." Every child should be immunized, just as they are for polio and tetanus.

Allergies and anaphylaxis
Today so many children have peanut allergies that most schools forbid bringing peanuts, peanut oil or any product containing even trace amounts into their buildings. It's important to read food labels as many packaged foods are manufactured in plants where cross-contamination may occur. Children with other food allergies must be taught, from a very young age, not to share food. And parents of kids with life-threatening allergic reactions are required to supply the classroom and nurse's station in school with labelled Epi-Pens (a penlike device with a spring-activated concealed needle used to self-administer a dose of epinephrine in an allergic emergency).

Common sense advice from Dr. Graves
To optimize health, kids should eat a variety of nourishing meals and snacks. If they do, then daily multivitamins are unnecessary; the body more readily absorbs essential nutrients from food sources. Children should stay active all year round and maintain a healthy weight. In wintertime, when Canadians are inclined to be more sedentary, get the family out to the skating rink or tobogganing hill. And every little bit counts -- even walking around the block or to the park or corner store instead of hopping in the car can make a difference in physical fitness and all-around wellness.

For more on helping your children stay fit and active, visit our Healthy Kids section.

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