Going barefoot is not best for children's foot health.
School-age children want to be popular. They often think this means they must wear certain clothes, shoes or the right backpack. The reality is that these choices may contribute to foot and posture problems. Many of the choices children and teenagers make today are a detriment to their health and well-being. But do not lecture them about these choices. Instead, offer healthy tips and suggestions.
Backpacks
Carrying heavy backpacks contributes to posture problems in children and teenagers. The American College of Sports Medicine confirms that backpacks affect posture negatively. Its advice is to limit the amount of weight carried in these backpacks to less than 10 percent of your child's body weight. Better yet, have the child use a rolling pack if they are allowed at your child's school. Also, advise your child to carry the backpack differently from day to day; perhaps over the left shoulder one day and the right shoulder the next and then fully on the back the third day. When taking off a backpack, try to get both straps off simultaneously so you do not torque the spine unnecessarily.
Shoes
Get shoes that fit your child. It does not matter if they are expensive or not; they must fit now. A shoe that is too small can lead to ingrown toenails or corns. Also, kids' feet are still growing, and injuries can happen near bone plates. Plan to buy shoes often as your children grow, instead of assuming one pair will last the whole year. According to podiatrist Mario Pacada, a sneaker, especially for running, is the most supportive and practical shoe for kids who will be in them all day long. If you compromise and buy a cute shoe that is not as supportive, insist that your child wear a cushioned insole inside the shoe. You can also replace insoles to avoid smells and bacteria overgrowth. Alternating which shoes your child wears will lengthen the life of shoes and prevent shoe-related posture problems. Discourage the child from going barefoot as this can lead to injury or hygiene issues.
Physical Conditioning
Children in school sit for long periods of time. This causes back pain and does not promote abdominal strength, according to a study published in the Chiropractic and Osteopathy Journal. Additionally, back pain in youth can carry over into adulthood. To combat sitting, poor furniture and lack of strength, children need to participate in physical activity. It is of particular importance to build abdominal strength. Activities could be team sports, but they do not have to be. Playing, climbing and running all help as long as children are getting several hours of physical activity per day. Since kids are still developing, you must consider their rate of growth, size and stamina when deciding on particular sports for them to play. Overuse injuries and ones associated with growing bone plates commonly occur in kids.
At Home
Make sure that your child's desk at home is the right height, which means at belly level. Too low and they will slouch. Too high and they may be looking up all the time. A straight-back chair is best for promoting good sitting posture and inhibiting slouching. Limit time in front of the television, computer and with video games as these promote hunching over and inhibit physical activity. When they go out to play, check that they are wearing appropriate footwear, socks without holes and that shoelaces are tied. When your children are not wearing their sneakers, put foot powder, a sneaker ball inside or spray with an antibacterial to limit the chance of foot fungus like athlete's foot. Encourage your kids to clean and take care of their feet. Do not ignore comments about foot pain. Get these checked out by a podiatrist or medical professional.
Tags: your child, physical activity, posture problems, that your, that your child, abdominal strength, back pain