Jessica Maxwell, ARNP, offers insight from the front lines of the weight-loss battle LESS THAN FIVE years ago, childhood obesity was recognized as a significant public health threat in Polk County. According to the most recent data offered by Florida Charts (2013), childhood obesity among WIC children ages two years and younger was at 31 […]
Q&A on the continued care needed to combat childhood obesity Read More »
WHEN A HEADACHE HITS, it can prove to be debilitating. Headaches often come with sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, throbbing temples, and even nausea and vomiting. Headaches can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a week, so when you’re suffering, it’s important to know how to manage the pain and whether you’re dealing with
Family Health: Is it a headache or migraine? Read More »
AS A MOTHER, you experience so many emotions on the first day of school. You want your child to be excited, confident, and safe. But, you also have a countless number of worries about how they will interact with their classmates and teachers. Will they find a friendly face? What will they do when faced
Editor’s Dose: A thank-you note to teachers and educators Read More »
AS FLORIDA’S LATE-AFTERNOON showers continue to roll in, the standing water around our homes, schools, and areas of recreation continue to swell. While this may put a damper on an afternoon of outdoor activities, what many do not realize is that this standing water also cultivates a breeding ground for pesky bugs like mosquitoes.
Medical Advice: Drain and cover reminders to prevent mosquito bites Read More »
IF YOU NEED CONFIDENCE, one of the quickest ways to achieve it is to look for the good in others and compliment them. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? How could that make us more confident?
Can giving a compliment impact my confidence? Read More »
THE 5-2-1-0 CAMPAIGN was designed to curb childhood obesity by encouraging healthy habits. The message states that kids should eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day, limit screen time to two hours or less, engage in one hour a day of active play, and consume zero sugary drinks each day.
Pedriatic Health: Healthy habits with 5-2-1-0 Read More »
FLOSSING LIKELY IS NOT your favorite part of your oral routine, but it’s necessary for tip-top oral health. Flossing reaches spots between your teeth that your toothbrush just can’t get. It removes food and plaque that can lead to more serious oral issues — like tartar and cavities, just for starters — so the American
Word of Mouth: The importance of being earnest about flossing Read More »
IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, then come early July you were already thinking about preparations for the new school year. Parents and children in the community this year are getting ready extra early because Polk County public schools moved up their calendar by one week — day one of school is August 15.
Editor’s Dose: Tips for minimizing back-to-school stress Read More »
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This is a wonderful time of year to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and discuss the health benefits breastfeeding provides. Although every woman has their own
Making the choice to breastfeed Read More »
WHEN I FIRST had the twins, my mom would say, “Have a schedule for them, or they’ll have a schedule for you.” Basically, she was cautioning that I’d better keep those little minds and bodies active, or chaos would inevitably ensue. Being a mother of eight children, I think she was speaking from personal experience.
Editor’s Dose: Keeping kids’ bodies and minds active this summer Read More »
