How do we keep our children healthy? I sought out a couple of experts to find out. Dr. Mike Van Natta and Emily Ciula with the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics care passionately about the health of our children. One of the more interesting thing that I learned from them is how doctors look at the big picture these days–all aspects of a child’s behavior not just their physical systems. Here are some major points:

1. Do you know what the five major health problems are that may result in the death of a child? I sure didn’t. They are, in order of significance, accidents (most often related to drugs or alcohol), homicide, suicide, fire, and drowning.

2. Keep an eye on your children. The more open and positive your communication is, the better off they probably are. A child that shuts down is probably in trouble.

3. Sports and other activities are important for kids, as they give them goals, direction and teach them teamwork. If a kid isn’t involved in something–is just “hanging out”–that kid may be in trouble.

4. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep–keep the computer out of the bedroom. In general, make sure that your child uses good health practices, like washing their hands and coughing into their sleeves.

5. There is more teenage sex going on than we know about. Make sure that you communicate with your teen, and that you are in control of the information they receive about sex in order to minimize misinformation.

There is much more valuable information in the interview. If you are a parent, or grandparent, you will enjoy it very much.

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