Kids' Wellness Matters

 In recent years, science has shown us that obesity is a common health condition and it really goes beyond just nutrition and physical activity or just calories and calories out. There's so much more to it. In this episode, Dr. Maheen Quadri, a pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist at Lurie Children's, shares her insights into the multifaceted nature of childhood obesity, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Dr. Quadri offers practical tips for families, shares insights on the latest research, and highlights resources for promoting healthier habits among children.

Genetic screening and testing have advanced greatly over the last few decades. Dr. Mindy Li, a medical geneticist, and Annie McRae, a physician assistant and genetic counselor from Lurie Children's discuss the evolving nature of genetics, the value of genetic counseling, and the promising future of genetic testing and therapies.

Everyone poops. And when it comes to kids in health, poop is a big deal. In this episode,  Dr. Peter Osgood, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Lurie Children's and the founder of the iPoop Constipation Management Program, explains that constipation is one of the most common issues addressed in pediatrics and offers solutions to help "get things going."

The first year of a child's life can be exciting and overwhelming for parents, especially new parents. In this episode, Drs. Rob Sanchez and Nina Alfieri dive into what the first year of parenting really looks like, from key developmental milestones and tips to support your baby's growth to the unforgettable moments they've experienced firsthand as both pediatricians and parents. They dedicated a previous episode to caring for a newborn the first month of life and in this episode they continue the newborn's journey through the first year, with what signs to look for and how to support your baby's development while navigating the joys and challenges of raising a new child.   

Lurie Children's pediatricians Dr. Nina Alfieri and Dr. Rob Sanchez discuss important insights and advice for new parents navigating their first month with a newborn. From safe sleeping practices and feeding options, to understanding baby's growth and development and bowel movements, the conversation aims to equip new parents with the knowledge needed to confidently care for their newborns.

In this episode Dr. Michelle Macy, an attending physician of emergency medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, covers a range of safety tips for common summer injuries, including heat-related concerns, water safety and road trip precautions. Dr. Macy provides practical evidence-based advice to help parents keep their children safe and healthy during the summer months.

This episode is for families who want to foster healthy relationships with digital devices. Dr. Alyssa Cohen, a pediatrician and health services researcher at Lurie Children's, explains the positive and negative impact media may have on child development, offering practical strategies for balancing screen use in the daily lives of families. Dr. Cohen also explains why not all screen time is created equal and offers practical tips for setting boundaries and building healthy habits.

More than half of school aged kids in the U.S.report playing on a sports team or taking sports related lessons in the past year and experts agree that youth sports not only help get kids physical activity, but can have a variety of psychological, social, and academic benefits. One downside is the potential injuries that come with playing sports or just being an active kid on the playground. On this episode of Kids Wellness Matters, Dr. Sigi Wolf talks about preventing sports injuries and when to bring your own young athlete into the doctor's office for medical care.

Sleep is just as important to your child's development and well-being as a balanced diet and exercise. Yet, establishing healthy sleep habits can be a challenge at every age and stage of childhood. In this episode, two experts from the Sleep Medicine Center at Lurie Children's, Dr. Irina Trosman and Allison Clarke, PhD, talk about common sleep-related issues and also bust myths about good sleep practices, from the use of melatonin in kids to the usefulness of power naps. Listen in for steps you can take to help everyone in your home get a good night's sleep.

Eating disorders have been on the rise in children and adolescents following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Eating Disorder Program at Lurie Children's is equipped to offer comprehensive care that is practical and tailored to meet the needs of this population. In this episode, Dr. Gregg Montalto, a leader in the Eating Disorders Program, talks about the complexities of eating disorders, emphasizing their nature as brain disorders rather than behavioral choices, discusses different types of eating disorders, the importance of early recognition and intervention and the need for equitable treatment options.