CHILDREN ILLNESSES AROUND THE WORLD Title: Children illnesses around the world. Student’s name: Denise Hilerowicz. Tutor’s name: Grace Gazzanego. Date: November, 15

INTRODUCTION I have chosen this topic because I am interested in learning about illnesses suffered by children. This monograph will focus on three main topics: ♥ Terminally ill diseases. ♥ Obesity in children. ♥ Illnesses connected with malnutrition. While thinking about the topics I asked myself these questions: ♥ How children feel knowing this type of things that could happen to they? ♥ What are the causes and the consequences? ♥ Where can parents look for help? For this I will use different sources such as: ♥ The internet ♥ Books ♥ Interviews ♥ Encyclopedias

TERMINALLY ILL DISSEASES Terminal illness is medical terminology popularized in the 20th century for an active and malignant disease which cannot be cured and is expected to lead to death. Palliative care is often prescribed to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. A patient who has such an illness is referred to as a terminal patient or terminally ill . Certain types of cancer, emphysema, liver failure, kidney failure, asbestosis, mesothelioma, some mental illness and heart disease may be considered fatal, although liver failure, kidney failure and even heart disease could possibly be cured with an organ transplant. A terminally ill child is a child that has no expectation of cure from his or her disease or illness, but requires as much care and comfort as can be provided. Knowing what a dying child understands about his or her condition, as well as fears, feelings, emotions, and physical changes that occur, may help family manage the final process better. The emotional, physical, and spiritual impact a dying child has on a family and community cannot be measured. It is a natural response for parents, relatives, and friends to protect a dying child from the impact of a diagnosis.

For example: Suppose you have a terminal disease and you´ ve been told you have only a year to live. Perhaps you need to come up with the cash to pay for a bone marrow transplant; or maybe you want to pay for an AIDS drug that your medical insurance doesn’t cover; or perhaps you are too ill to work and the bills are piling up.

OBESITY IN CHILDREN Obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality. Obesity is both an individual clinical condition and is increasingly viewed as a serious public health problem. Excessive body weight has been shown to predispose to various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.

CAUSES: Genetic factors: ♥ Obesity tends to run in families. ♥ A child with an obese parent, brother, or sister is more likely to become obese. ♥ Genetics alone does not cause obesity. Obesity occurs only when a child eats more calories than he or she uses. Dietary habits: ♥ Children’s dietary habits have shifted away from healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to a much greater reliance on fast food, processed snack foods, and sugary drinks. ♥ Some eating patterns that have been associated with this behavior are eating when not hungry and eating while watching TV or doing homework.

Genetic factors:

♥ Obesity tends to run in families.

♥ A child with an obese parent, brother, or sister is more likely to become obese.

♥ Genetics alone does not cause obesity.

Obesity occurs only when a child eats more calories than he or she uses.

Dietary habits:

♥ Children’s dietary habits have shifted away from healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to a much greater reliance on fast food, processed snack foods, and sugary drinks.

♥ Some eating patterns that have been associated with this behavior are eating when not hungry and eating while watching TV or doing homework.

Physical inactivity: ♥ The popularity of television, computers, and video games translates into an increasingly sedentary (inactive) lifestyle for many children. ♥ Children mostly spend an average of over 3 hours per day watching television. Not only does this use little energy (calories), it also encourages snacking ♥ Only one third of children in the United States have daily physical education at school. ♥ Parents’ busy schedules and fears about safety prevent many children from taking part in after-school sports programs. ♥ Certain medical conditions can cause obesity, but these are very rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders of metabolism. ♥ Certain medications can cause weight gain by altering how the body processes food or stores fat

Physical inactivity:

♥ The popularity of television, computers, and video games translates into an increasingly sedentary (inactive) lifestyle for many children.

♥ Children mostly spend an average of over 3 hours per day watching television. Not only does this use little energy (calories), it also encourages snacking

♥ Only one third of children in the United States have daily physical education at school.

♥ Parents’ busy schedules and fears about safety prevent many children from taking part in after-school sports programs.

♥ Certain medical conditions can cause obesity, but these are very rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders of metabolism.

♥ Certain medications can cause weight gain by altering how the body processes food or stores fat

Health Consequences: ♥ Hypertension (high blood pressure) ♥ Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint) ♥ Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) ♥ Type 2 diabetes ♥ Coronary heart disease ♥ Stroke ♥ Gallbladder disease ♥ Sleep apnea and respiratory problems ♥ Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

ILLNESSES CONNECTED WITH MALNUTRITION This presentation is limited to malnutrition of children, because the prevalence of most forms of malnutrition is highest in these groups and the functional consequences most serious. When it comes to feeding your child, it may seem like there are a dizzying number of rules to follow. Your child needs nutrients to grow strong and healthy, but you also have to limit treats and serving sizes so that your child doesn't develop weight and health problems down the line.

THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID The Food Guide Pyramid is designed to help kids and parents understand the guidelines. Inside the pyramid, six stripes represent the five food groups - as well as fats and oils - that your child should consume each day. Stairs on the pyramid represent the importance of exercise and the simple steps you can take each day to improve your child's health.

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY ♥ http://www.wikipedia.org/malnutrition ♥ http://www.wikipedia.org/malnutrition ♥ http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/consequences.htm ♥ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

THANK YOU FOR COMING !! I WISH YOU ENJOYED IT ..

BY : DENISE HILEROWICZ