Healthy Families
Healthy Eating
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Does folic acid prevent obesity in kids?
There's no question that women of childbearing age should take folic acid because it reduces a baby's risk of being born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect.
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How to prevent and detect malnutrition
Good nutrition is critical to overall health and well-being -- yet many older adults are at risk of inadequate nutrition. Know the causes and signs of nutrition problems in older adults, as well as steps you can take to ensure a nutrient-rich diet for an older loved one. Problems caused by malnutrition Malnutrition in older adults can lead to various health concerns, including:
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Healthy snacks for kids: 10 child-friendly tips
Snack time is likely a part of your child's daily schedule -- and that's not necessarily bad. Nutritious snacking can help curb your child's hunger throughout the day. Regular healthy snacks also boost energy, and can help your child sneak in more of the nutrients essential for his or her growth and development. Here's how to whip up healthy -- and tasty -- snacks for kids. 1. Keep junk food out of the house
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Prenatal vitamins: Why they matter, how to choose
A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need -- but even if you eat a healthy diet, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you're pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps. How are prenatal vitamins different from other vitamins? Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid and iron than do standard adult multivitamins. Here's why:
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Foods to avoid during pregnancy
You want what's best for your baby. That's why you add sliced fruit to your fortified breakfast cereal, top your salads with chickpeas and snack on almonds. But do you know what foods to avoid during pregnancy? Here's help understanding pregnancy nutrition basics. Avoid seafood high in mercury
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Gluten-free alternatives to wheat flour
Maybe you've gone gluten-free for health reasons, or you're wondering if you'd feel better if you ate less gluten. Whatever the reason, many people are trying to avoid or cut down on gluten -- a protein composite found in wheat, barley and rye.
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Are pumpkins good for your health?
By Mayo Clinic News Network When you think about pumpkins, you probably think Halloween jack-o'-lanterns and pumpkin pie. But there are other ways to use pumpkins. They can grace doorsteps or be part of a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table.
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Should you give your kids fruit juice?
By Mayo Clinic News Network Certain types of fruit juice can be a healthy part of your child's diet.
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Exercise
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Family Fitness: Tips for your family
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 13 percent of U.S. preschoolers are obese. Alyssa Baker, Mayo Clinic Health System wellness facilitator, says, "When it comes to healthy eating and active lifestyles, there are some simple changes parents, caregivers and children can make to become healthier as a family unit." Hispanic family exercising
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Teen weight loss: Healthy habits count
Teenage obesity is a dangerous -- and widespread -- problem. While there's no magic bullet for teen weight loss, there's plenty you can do to help. Start by encouraging your teen to adopt healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Have a heart-to-heart
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Fitness ideas for the entire family
If you're a parent, getting into the habit of exercising as a family will benefit both you and your children. As you work toward your own fitness goals, you'll set an excellent example for your children of committing to their own physical activity.
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How to motivate your child to get off the couch
With the lure of television, computers, tablets, phones and other electronic devices, it can be a struggle to motivate some kids to get off the couch and get active. If this is a problem with your child, PBS.org recommends limiting your child's TV and computer time. It also suggests scheduling play dates for your child, go to the playground and other places where kids will have fun while being active, and spending time being active as a family.
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More Headlines
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Why social media is a bad place to measure your self-worth
Social media can be a wonderful communication tool, but it also can be a brutal arena for your emotions. Dr. Amit Sood, a Mayo Clinic complementary and integrative medicine physician, says it's because what we see on social media isn't completely accurate.
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Home Remedies: Dealing with that darn diaper rash
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies. The rash causes reddish, puffy, irritated skin in the diaper area. The rash generally is caused by a combination of moisture, acid in urine or stool, and chaffing of diaper fabric on your baby's skin. Some babies also get a rash from the detergent used to launder cloth diapers, or from plastic pants, elastic, or certain types of disposable diapers and wipes. Sometimes a yeast infection may be the cause of a rash.
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Temper tantrums in toddlers: How to keep the peace
You're shopping with your toddler in a busy department store. He or she has spied a toy that you don't intend to buy. Suddenly you're at the center of a gale-force temper tantrum. Everyone is looking at you. What's the best response? Why do these emotional meltdowns happen? And can you prevent them? Consider these tantrum tips. Why do tantrums happen?
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Maternity leave: Tips for returning to work
Are you dreading the day your maternity leave ends? Don't despair. Working mothers face many challenges, but with some planning you can make your transition back to work a smoother one. Before you return to work While you're still on maternity leave, set yourself up for a successful return to work:
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What men need to know about planning a family
Having children can sometimes be a crapshoot. Some couples achieve pregnancy on the first try, while other can try for years with no success. Mayo Clinic urologist and fertility specialist Dr. Landon Trost says there are things men can do to improve their odds. "In general, the lower the sperm count, typically, the harder time you'll have to achieve a pregnancy," Dr. Trost says.
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The problem with parents overpressuring kids to win
It's a proud moment for parents when their child wins in sports, but too much pressure to win could be problematic, according to Dr. Max Trenerry, a Mayo Clinic sports psychologist. He says overpressuring kids to win at too young an age sometimes can make them want to quit competing in sports altogether. "It starts to affect motivation, and, when that pressure to win is out there, we do start to lose our young athletes around age 13," Dr. Trenerry says.
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4 tips to keep your kids' teeth healthy and clean
(NewsUSA) - We all want our kids to have movie-star smiles as adults. As parents, this means knowing how to protect their teeth when they're young, while ensuring that they practice good dental health care for a lifetime. Because February is National Children's Dental Health Month, it's the perfect time to "brush up" on instilling good oral-hygiene habits.
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How allowing parents into the trauma room improves care
If a child is injured and required trauma care, should their parents be allowed in the room alongside the medical team? A recent national survey finds a vast majority of people think so. However, most hospitals haven't adopted policies such as this. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has and the benefits to physicians and families are plenty. Parents can help guide decisions and provide information, such as a child's medical history, while keeping the patient calm.
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Acne: It's not just a problem for teens
Acne. It's a teenager thing, right? Well, it's an adult thing too, especially for women. A quarter of women in their 30's get it and it can plague people for decades. Experts at Mayo Clinic have tips on how to handle adult acne. "We see people who never had problems with acne in their adolescence, but who develop it in their 20's, 30's, 40's even," said Mark Davis, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic.
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Family Activities
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5 fun activities to try with your nieces and nephews
By Clinton Rhodes If your nieces or nephews are like many kids, they're probably pretty crazy about you. After all, there's nothing quite like the time that they get to spend with their aunts and their uncles.
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Healthy family resolutions for the new year
Make the new year family-focused with these resolution ideas.
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Make time for family meals this year
As back-to-school routines fill calendars with homework and after-class activities, it may be tempting to skip family dinners. However, Kate Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic dietitian, says that time around the table can offer some of the most important lessons of the day. Here's mom and dad's assignment for the new year: Turn off the screens and turn on the stove to make family meals.
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