Add Good Health to Back to School List

By Dr. David Butler-Jones,
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

At this time of year, moms and dads across the country have been busy getting their kids ready to return to school. They've organized pencils and school bags, lunch boxes and sneakers, and are making sure that Canada's children get a good start on their futures. But on top of a good education, parents also need to be looking out for their kids' future health. While a great many things go into deciding whether or not your child will be healthy, let's look at two different things that can help them on their way: up-to-date immunizations and getting an early start on healthy eating and physical activity habits.

The importance of vaccinations

Before immunization was common, Canadian children lived in constant threat from a range of deadly and crippling diseases. Few of us worry about these diseases today precisely because of the protection vaccines give us. Today, children receive a number of key vaccinations at regular times that make them immune to some of these once common, and very serious, illnesses ― like polio, whooping cough, mumps, bacterial meningitis, diphtheria, and many more. Keep in mind that vaccines work best when they're received at specific times and ages. 

You'll also have heard about the relatively new HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccinethat is now available. Many Canadians will at some point contract HPV and the majority of those cases will go unnoticed and disappear without treatment. In some people, though, the infection does not clear up on its own, and we know that certain strains of HPV are in fact the main cause of cervical cancer in women.

All 10 provinces in Canada now offer HPV immunization programs for school-aged girls, using a vaccine that is safe, effective and offers protection against the HPV strains that cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers. If there isn't a publicly funded program in your region, you can still talk to your doctor about receiving the vaccine. It's available to girls and women within the ages of 9 and 26. To learn more about vaccines and when your children should be receiving them, talk to your doctor or health professional, or visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website at www.publichealth.gc.ca.

Healthy food and exercise

Another way to protect your kids' futures is to make sure they start healthy eating and good physical activity habits early in life. Since the late 1970s, there has been a considerable rise in the number of Canadian children and youth with unhealthy weights. It perhaps shouldn't be all that surprising when you consider how our diets have changed over the years, and how sitting in front of a TV, computer or game console sometimes replaces outdoor fun.  Research shows that today more than half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development. We also can't underestimate how important it is for parents to set a good example. In fact, being an active parent is proven to encourage children to adopt healthy habits as well.

Obese children are more likely to suffer from a host of ailments, like respiratory problems, fatigue, sleep apnea, joint pain and others.  Their mental health often suffers too as they become prone to being isolated, teased or bullied. Worse still, obese children tend to grow up to be obese adults, and over time, excess weight and physical inactivity increase the risk of developing health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis.

It doesn't have to be this way. Good habits in childhood continue later in life, so children who are physically active and have healthy diets today are more likely to avoid problems in the future. To help them on their way, the Public Health Agency and Health Canada websites offer tips through the Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth and the Canada Food Guide. There is even an idea-filled activity guide for teachers, who play an influential role in educating kids about the importance of healthy living.  

One way to get a jump on your child's healthy eating habits is to pack healthy lunches. Include some fresh fruit and vegetables and skip the high-calorie pop drinks. Sandwiches are a staple in kids' lunches, and they can be a very healthy option. Choose whole grain or whole wheat breads, and keep an eye on potentially high fat or sodium (salt) content if you choose to include some meat.

The other half of the healthy lunch equation is keeping things bacteria-free. This means that if you're including any meat, deli slices, or other perishables, make sure they're fresh and kept cool with an ice-pack. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and raw milk as they can carry dangerous bacteria, and for the same reason always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. While we're making sure our meat and dairy is bacteria free, sometimes we forget that it can often be found on these seemingly more innocent foods too. These are not just tips for kids - it's good advice for parents, too.

So before packing that lunch when your youngster heads off to school, consider whether their vaccinations are up to date and whether they're living and eating as healthy as they need to be. You'll be giving your children a head start to a healthier life.

Dr. David Butler-Jones is Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer and heads the Public Health Agency of Canada.