Preventative healthcare for kids starts with the very important, but often underestimated, foundation of good nutrition and activity choices. Your child’s diet should include lots of fruit and veggies, whole grains, and healthy proteins and fats. It should limit refined carbohydrates such as baked goods and sweets as these can lead to several health problems including behavioral and weight issues. Make exercise part of the family routine – bike rides, hikes, a family soccer game on the weekends. Helping your kids create healthy habits from a young age will help them as they grow and become more independent.
The next step to staying healthy is learning to listen to the cues their bodies give about potential problems. Recognizing early signs is an important skill for both parents and kids to develop. Tummy aches, skin problems, ear infections, or a frequent cough are common examples of signs kids’ bodies give that indicate a potentially greater issue. The earlier these potential issues are treated, the less likely it is they will develop into more serious problems. Dr. Jewell-Larsen works with families to help interpret these signs, discover potential issues, and develops a treatment plan that addresses your child’s health concerns safely and gently.
