Parents’ fears about extreme weather often focus on tornados or blizzards. In fact, extreme heat is the most dangerous extreme weather event for most children. Babies are more vulnerable to heat than adults and older children. Keeping babies safe in hot weather takes some extra attention. How hot weather affects babies Babies don’t sweat as […]
Barefoot Kids: Pros and Cons
As the weather warms up, your kids may want to kick off their shoes. In fact, if they’re not going to school, they might not put shoes on for most of the summer. They can play outside and relax inside barefoot and enjoy the freedom. Or should they not go barefoot, for health reasons? Benefits […]
Understanding Your A1C
360,000 people in Arkansas have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, and another 800,000 have prediabetes. How can you tell if you are in one of these groups? Your A1C score tells you. What’s A1C? A1c stands for hemoglobin A1c, or glycosylated hemoglobin. The A1c test is a simple blood test that measures your […]
Mammograms and COVID-19 Booster Shots
What do mammograms have to do with COVID-19 booster shots? COVID-19 vaccinations cause swollen lymph nodes in 10-15% of people. Swollen lymph nodes can cause abnormal mammogram results, leading to a call back for further study. This outcome makes some people hesitate to have a mammogram if they have recently had a vaccination. The recommendation […]
National Minority Health Month for Kids
April is National Minority Health Month, a time to think about the disparities in U.S. healthcare and health outcomes — and to take action against those inequities. Health outcomes are different for kids from different ethnic groups Here are some eye-opening statistics: Infant mortality rates in Arkansas are different in different ethnic groups. Black children’s […]
Can You Eat Too Much Protein?
Paleo, keto, Atkins, or Dukan — high protein diets are trendy and appealing with their promise of weight loss without hunger. Plenty of people jump at the chance to enjoy practically unlimited bacon burgers (without the bun). Protein is one of the essential nutrients your body needs to build and repair tissue, too, so you […]
A Healthy Easter Brunch
Easter can be tricky if you’re working to develop healthy eating habits. On the one hand, it usually involves ham, which can be a lean meat, plus lots of vegetables, which are a great part of a healthy meal. Your Easter dinner plate can be healthy and delicious. On the other hand, there’s Easter brunch. […]
A Dozen Easter Basket Alternatives
Easter means family gatherings, egg hunts, and Easter baskets full of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans! But candy isn’t the only thing your kids will enjoy in their Easter baskets this Easter. Colored eggs are a basic! Kids enjoy coloring hard-boiled eggs and they’ll enjoy seeing the eggs they made in their baskets, too. Art […]
Combat Stress with Routines
Routines may sound boring at first, but research shows they’re actually able to ease our stress and help us relax. Good routines ultimately enable us to make fewer decisions, free our creativity, and strengthen healthy habits. The focus of National Stress Awareness Month this April is “Back to Basics.” Try some of these ideas to […]
World Health Day Is April 7
World Health Day is celebrated each year as a day to work toward healthier societies. For 2022, the theme of World Health Day is “Our Planet, Our Health.” Clean air, water, and food, the WHO reminds us, are essential for our health — and better for the environment, too. Climate change is increasing the number and […]