Protecting the Future Generation

Protecting the Future Generation

Joy Stepinski, MSN, RN-BC

March 9, 2023

Children are full of life, vigor, and vitality. As a popular song lyric goes, “Children are our future.” They are appropriately viewed as the next generation to make an impact upon the world. Fittingly, the health of the pediatric population is vital to their flourish into adulthood. The general health status of children has been a growing concern and cannot go unnoticed.

One large study published in Circulation investigated the cardiovascular health of adults and children using the American Heart Association algorithm for quantifying cardiovascular health [1]. These metrics included diet, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), smoking exposure, total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, and sleep health. A high score was equated with a more favorable health outcome. The study enrolled 9888 children with data available for ages 2 through 19.

The astounding results of the study shed light on health status beginning in childhood. Only 2.2% of children (n = 133,000) received “optimal” cardiovascular health scores of 100. High scores were awarded to 29.1% of children. However, the scores noticeably decreased with increasing age. From ages 2 – 5, 56.6% of children demonstrated high cardiovascular health scores, 33.5% for 6 – 11-year-olds, and merely 14% for 12 – 19-year-olds. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity, maintaining lean body weight, and healthy eating patterns were highlighted as strategies that could “preserve high cardiovascular health into later life” (p. 832).

Less than optimal cardiovascular health among the pediatric population is an alarming reflection of poor health among American children. A separate study by Cote and colleagues [2] investigated the effect of obesity among children as a contributing factor of heart health. The findings discussed were extensive. Fat deposits within the outer layers of the heart were related to insulin resistance (that can lead to diabetes) and also associated with body weight, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure.

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data published that obesity prevalence is 19.7% for children aged 2 – 19 during the pre-pandemic years [3]. Childhood obesity is defined as at or above the 95th percentile on clinical growth charts. Conditions related to obesity include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes type 2, joint problems, and breathing problems like asthma and sleep apnea.

A higher BMI among girls may also lead to an earlier age of menarche [4], leading to early sexual maturation. Precocious puberty is defined as signs of puberty that start before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys [5]. This condition may greatly affect children with their growth spurts, and mental and emotional health, such as embarrassment, mood swings, and irritability.

As identified in the Circulation study, eating patterns may be one of the keys to address deteriorating pediatric health [1]. The underlying cause for these health problems may be largely associated with food that is consumed. The body needs certain nutrients in order to function. Yet, when mouths are filled with food not meant to be eaten, the balance needed by the body is greatly disturbed.

For instance, one study [4] discusses that dietary factors contributing to early menarche may be related to low fiber, high fat, high calcium, and high animal protein. One food group that is correlated to all of these elements is dairy. Milk biologically is meant to aid in the growth of mammals during infancy. Cow milk provides calves with the nutrients they need to grow into massive animals. However, humans consume dairy in large quantities throughout life, starting from toddler age.

Dairy deserves a close scrutiny, as it has ties to many pediatric health problems, including asthma, ear infections, eczema, digestive problems, diabetes type I, behavioral issues, and obesity [6]. One protein contained in dairy is Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) known to cause rapid growth and pubertal development. It is thought to play a role in body mass index (BMI) and early sexual maturation.

Another study investigated the intake of plant food, including dietary fiber, vegetable fat, vegetable protein, and nut intake among adolescents on breast cancer risk [7] (n = 6,164). The results showed an inverse relationship between the consumption of plant foods and breast cancer risk. Even more, the authors proposed that eating a diet largely of plant food could offer lifelong protection against breast cancer, especially beginning when breasts are at a vulnerable stage of development.

Dietary pattern seems to have a clear impact upon health among children. Lowering dairy intake and increasing whole plant food may lead to a solution that offers substantial benefits. An additional suggestion that incorporates healthier food intake is eating together as a family. One study [7] discussed that family dinners led to increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Meanwhile, saturated and trans-fat, soda, fried foods, and ready-made processed meals decreased.

Children are truly precious. Protecting their health can greatly make an impact upon their lives as adults. Moreover, their longevity, quality of life, and well-being can be preserved.

 References

1. Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Ning, H., Labarthe, D., Brewer, L., Sharma, G., Rosamond, W., ... & Perak, A. M. (2022). Status of cardiovascular health in US adults and children using the American Heart Association’s New “Life’s Essential 8” Metrics: prevalence estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013 Through 2018. Circulation, 146(11), 822-835. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.060911

2. Cote, A. T., Harris, K. C., Panagiotopoulos, C., Sandor, G. G., & Devlin, A. M. (2013). Childhood obesity and cardiovascular dysfunction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 62(15), 1309-1319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.07.042

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Childhood obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html

4. Wiley, A. S. (2011). Milk intake and total dairy consumption: associations with early menarche in NHANES 1999-2004. PLoS One, 6(2), e14685.

5. Kota AS, Ejaz S. Precocious Puberty. (2022). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544313/Wiley, A. S. (2011). Milk intake and total dairy consumption: associations with early menarche in NHANES 1999-2004. PLoS One, 6(2), e14685. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014685

6. Keon, J. (2010). Whitewash: The disturbing truth about cow's milk and your health. New Society Publishers.

7. Gillman, M. W., Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Frazier, A. L., Rockett, H. R., Camargo Jr, C. A., Field, A. E., ... & Colditz, G. A. (2000). Family dinner and diet quality among older children and adolescents. Archives of family medicine, 9(3), 235.