Children’s Health

Children’s health is always important and has become a hot topic post 2020 pandemic time.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to significant (and growing) concerns for our children’s physical and mental health.

Children are vulnerable and in need of much support.

They need the kind of parenting that not only ensures they’re getting all the vitamins they need but also cares for their mental well being.

Children’s Health Wealth

Historically, children are physically healthier than ever, aren’t they?

Overall in the developed world this appears to be the case. Whilst there have been significant health improvements in most of the developing world – there is still a long way to go.

But what do we mean by physically healthy?

Physiological and structural changes are how we measure development and there are ‘standard’ developmental patterns and metrics which are used.

We measure weight and height as well as head circumference which provide the main confirmation of physical developmental progress.

But this children’s health wealth isn’t equal, as there are some significant irregularities.

Poverty and increasing inequality in the developed world has greatly increased.

Consequently, this has led to stark contrasts in healthy lives and equality.

Air quality and cramped and unhealthy living conditions continue to blight the lives of many of the poorest children.

As technological change displaces jobs and takes away incomes, mainly for the poorest in society this chasm will only get wider.

Children suffer as a consequence.

Children’s Health – Mental Wealth

There are more mental health conditions impacting children than ever. These range from anxiety to serious conditions such as psychosis.

Within the adolescent group ‘connectedness’ through building vitally strong bonds and relationships with family friends (and within the community if possible) are key to building good mental health patterns.

More and more younger children are being diagnosed with behavioural related conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Autism and Dyslexia.

Whether this is an overly zealous drive to label and classify or indicative of genuine underlying problems is an ongoing debate.

Increasing Pressure on childrens’ health

Our children today are bombarded with ever increasing pressures

These include:

Parental pressure – To behave in certain ways and unreasonable expectations.

School pressure – Volumes of homework and outdated and oppressive school environments.

Social Media pressure – Expectations to respond, chat and use social media use.

Relationship pressure – Friends exerting pressure in terms of influencing opinion and interests.

Family pressure – Arguments within families and break-ups.

Sexual pressure – Increasing expectations to explore sexual activity and accept more types of abnormal sexual behaviour.

Drugs – More potent drugs and pressure to ‘try’ drugs

Gaming – Pressure to take part and pressure from parents to find something else to do.

All the pressures listed above lead to conflict which can be ‘bottled up’ internally or blow up into angry and unhappy explosions

Pandemic lockdowns have led to even more pressure on our young. Educational disruption and freedom restrictions are just two examples.

Childrens’ Health – The Future

Children make up a very large percentage of the population and they are the future. It’s imperative that they are given all the support and health advantages that are available.

If you have any concerns or questions always start with a government run health service such as the UK’s NHS.

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