About Lactose Intolerance For many kids, an ice cream sundae or a cool glass of milk at lunch means an afternoon of cramps, gas, and diarrhea. Kids who have this kind of discomfort after consuming dairy products might have lactose intolerance, which is caused by problems digesting lactose, the main sugar …
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Overweight and Obesity
The number of overweight children in the United States has grown at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids considered overweight or obese. Many kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, phone, tablet, or video-game console. And today’s busy families have …
Pica
Many young kids put nonfood items in their mouths at one time or another. They’re naturally curious about their environment and might, for instance, eat some dirt out of the sandbox. Kids with pica, however, go beyond this innocent exploration of their surroundings. About Pica The word pica comes from the …
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
Like adults, lots of teens wish they could change something about themselves. Fortunately, in some cases — take hair, for example — that’s pretty easy to do. Kids can grow it long, cut it short, and if they don’t like it, a new look is just a quick snip or …
What Are the Symptoms of an Overeating Disorder?
When my 14-year-old daughter and her friends are hanging out at our house, it seems like they’re always raiding the refrigerator! I didn’t think anything about it but then I heard about this thing called a binge eating disorder. What is it? And should I be worried? – Hannah Binge …
When Can Young Kids Start Exercising?
I have a 5-year-old son. Is he too young to start exercising? – Dorea Encouraging kids to be physically active is important at any age. In fact, kids who are active at a young age tend to stay active later in life — and have a lower risk of becoming …
Your Child’s Weight
“What’s the right weight for my child?” is one of the most common questions parents have. It seems like a simple one, but it’s not always easy to answer. Among kids the same height and age, some are more muscular or more developed than others. That’s because not all kids …
Celiac Disease
About Celiac Disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the general name of the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley and other grains derived from them. In kids with celiac disease, gluten damages villi, the finger-like projections in the small intestine …
Cystic Fibrosis and Nutrition
About Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. CF makes children sick by disrupting the normal function of epithelial cells — cells that make up the sweat glands in the skin and that also line passageways in the lungs, liver, pancreas, …
Dietary Needs for Kids With Cerebral Palsy
Kids with cerebral palsy (CP) have problems with their muscle tone, movement, and/or motor skills. This can make mealtimes challenging. Some kids may not have the coordination to feed themselves or chew and swallow safely or successfully. Digestive problems like gastroesophageal reflux and constipation can make eating uncomfortable. All of …