In Vitónica we are told about some alarming data released by doctors of the Pediatric Hospital of the 21st Century National Medical Center, of IMSS (Mexico) about the ills that attend most in pediatric consultations.
It is sad to talk about serious illnesses in children, but necessary to open the eyes and to instill in our children healthy habits from minute one of life, starting with breastfeeding.
The specialists indicated that the four most frequent diseases among Mexican children, which may well extend to the child population of the rest of the developed world are: obesity, diabetes, cancer and diseases that can be avoided with vaccination, such as influenza, chickenpox and pneumococcus.
Childhood obesity is considered the epidemic of this century. Pediatricians indicate that preschoolers should gain 2 to 3 kilos per year, while, in general, what is happening is that they gain between 4 and 5 kilos.
As a direct consequence of obesity, type 2 diabetes arises, a chronic disease that usually develops in adolescence, but that grows increasingly early due to the metabolic changes caused by obesity in children. 10 years ago the percentage of the child population with type 2 diabetes was 5% while today it is 45%. Really worrying.
Cancer is the second leading cause of infant mortality in the world. The most frequent is acute lymphoblastic leukemia followed by tumors of the central nervous system and lymphomas (tumors of the lymph nodes).
Finally, doctors have pointed out diseases such as influenza, chicken pox and pneumococcus, which are preventable thanks to vaccines.
Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for the three previous illnesses, but they can also be prevented to a greater extent. The way to prevent our children from getting sick is in our hands. How? Inculcating healthy habits and of course, educating by example.
A healthy and balanced diet, exercise, neglecting sedentary lifestyle are aspects that parents should have children assimilate since they are very young to reduce the chances that tomorrow suffer some of these terrible diseases.
