Screen time, internet safety, unhealthy eating, depression and suicide, and lack of physical activity are the top concerns of the parents about their children in the pandemic times — as suggested by a new poll. Almost half of the parents also describe Covid-19, the disease itself, as a “big problem” impacting kids, coming in at No.10, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine. “This is an especially challenging time for families, with many children experiencing significant changes in routine that may negatively impact their health and well-being,” said Mott Poll co-director and Mott paediatrician Gary Freed, M.D., M.P.H. “Parents’’ biggest concerns for young people seem to be associated with changes in lifestyle as a result of the pandemic. Covid-19 has turned the world of our children and teens upside down in many ways and this is reflected in how parents rate health issues in 2020,” added Mott. The nationally-representative report is based on responses from 2,027 parents with children aged 18 and under. A closer look at top health concerns highlighted in the report:
SCREEN TIME
Freed says it’s not surprising that the top three issues on parents’ list of concerns are related to screen use. Children are spending more time online because of virtual school or not being able to spend time with friends in person. But he says parents should worry less about the amount of time children are using devices and more on how they are using the technology. “It’s important for children and teens to maintain social and family connections that are critical for their emotional well-being, especially during a time when they are feeling stressed or isolated,” says Freed. “Technology may be an important vehicle for those connections.” Parents should set clear ground rules and boundaries about how and when children can use devices. They should also watch for any signs of cyberbullying and other types of online abuse, which also made it to the top 10 list. “Parents need to have ongoing conversations with their children and teens to guide them on safe internet practices,” says Freed.
EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Some parents reported great concern about kids experiencing increased negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, or depression, which may be related to or exacerbated by lifestyle changes caused by Covid-19. “Parents may notice changes such as increased behavioural issues in younger kids or more moodiness or lethargy from older kids and teenagers,” said Freed. In these situations, parents should encourage children and teens to talk about their feelings, and find healthy outlets to help them cope. Changes in routine and social isolation from Covid-19 may also affect a child’s physical health. Inconsistent sleep habits may particularly increase the potential for unhealthy eating and reducing outside physical activity — all issues parents identified as top health concerns. Families should try to maintain routines, especially keeping regular sleep schedules and helping teens resist the temptation to go to bed much later than usual and sleeping in later, said Freed. Mott experts also recommend intentional “unplugged” times to spend together as a family and getting outside daily, even for a brisk walk. But parents should also look for red flags that kids need more help to manage feelings such as comments about how they might hurt themselves or experiencing dramatic shifts in usual mood, appetite or sleep. In these cases, families should reach out to paediatricians and consider enlisting the help of therapists or other health professionals. Children who have lost family members to Covid-19 may also need special attention and mental health services to help in how to understand and cope with their loss, says Freed. (With ANI inputs)