Child Health Flashcards
What determines a child’s weight?
- foetal nutrition
- maternal physical activity
What is physical activity in children associated with?
Improved:
- CVD fitness
- sleep
- weight
What proportion of young children (4-5yo) are already overweight/obese?
1/5
What is the effect of inadequate foetal nutrition?
Irreversible cognitive/motor development
What is the impact of physical activity on the behaviour of a child?
Improved:
- learning/academic achievement
- executive functioning
- stress/anxiety/depression levels
What factors can impact a child’s school readiness?
- diet
- physical activity
- relationships
- sleep
- stress
- social-economic status
What can help children develop physical literacy?
Engaging with inclusive, positive and meaningful physical activity that place value on both the physical and psychological benefits to health and wellbeing
What is the impact of physical activity on a child’s social nature?
Improved:
- happiness
- resilience
- self-esteem
- confidence
- trust of others
What has a heavy impact on lifestyle behaviours?
Early interactions with parents/caregivers
What is the biggest risk factor for childhood obesity?
Parental obesity
What is an ACE?
adverse childhood experience
What are some examples of ACEs?
- experiencing/witnessing abuse
- having a close family member who: misused drugs/alcohol, mental health problems, prison, separation or divorce
What are ACEs strongly associated with?
- problematic drug abuse
- violence
——— - sexual risk taking
- mental ill health
- problematic alcohol abuse
What are the possible impacts of ACEs?
- excessive chronic activation of stress response (system dysregulation)
- impact epigenome and gene expression (temporarily/permanently)
What does orexin impact?
- arousal state (cerebral cortex activation, involving LC neurons)
- autonomic function
- food intake
- hormonal changes
- glucose control
- energy expenditure + metabolic rate
When is orexin at higher levels?
In those who need less sleep
What is the effect of ageing on sleep?
- sleep time decreases
- becomes more fragmented
- changes in type
What is the change in sleep type between 2 months and infants?
From circadian sleep (cycles every 24 hours) to ultradian sleep (cycles within 24 hours)
What change in sleep is seen in adolescents?
Circadian sleep delays
What are circadian sleep delays associated with?
Increased light sensitivity
What happens to sleep types after adolescence?
Circadian system advances (genetics, neuropeptide expression, lifestyle)
What happens to sleep in the elderly?
Slowed melatonin production (unless still in good health)
What are the most common sleep disorders?
- insomnia
- obstructive sleep apnoea
What sleep features are common in adolescence?
- sleep walking
- night terrors
- sleep paralysis
- nocturnal enuresis
