Infant Feeding

In the focus study group about maternal feeding practices and childhood obesity, a group of mothers between the ages of 14 and 34 were questioned about their feeding practices with their children of ages 12 to 36 months of age. They all believed that a heavy baby meant a healthy baby. They all seemed to believe that a skinny child meant that they child was not receiving enough daily nutrition. They would feed the child numerous times a day, and also used feeding as a form of reward for good behavior or positive reinforcement. The mothers admitted going against feeding recommendations that they were given by pediatricians and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). Most of their children were overweight, and the mothers were then educated in infant feeding.

A study that focused on breast fed infants and formula fed infants concluded that children who are breast fed are leaner than formula fed infants. Mothers who feed their children formula at a very early age, beginning from newborn, will tend to have a heavier child. The children's  skinfolds and body fat were measured and the result clearly showed that the breast fed children where in much better health. Breast fed children also showed to be less sickly, and much more full of energy.

Healthy Eating and Exercising

I have a pretty busy and hectic lifestyle at the moment.  I work 2 jobs; 7 days a week, and take 2 online classes right now; that would include homework, and of course I have a personal life. I tend to be rushed most of the time, and eat whatever is easy and fast. I hardly ever eat breakfast because I don't have time. I rather sleep than work out when I do have time because as soon as I wake up it's back to craziness. I eat a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast; or something of that kinds with water, fast food for lunch, and fast food for dinner if I have time to stop and buy something, if not I don't eat dinner. I work ten hours daily 5 days out of 7, so when I get off work I do homework and go to bed. Everyone tells me to slow down, to take a vacation, but I don't have time to slow down. I rather sacrifice now and be able to enjoy later.

Daily Health Assessments

For the well being of the children we are responsible for, I believe it is essential for us as teachers to conduct daily health assessments. 

Children spend the majority of their time in a school environment with teachers who care for them as their own. As teachers, it is very important to know a child's normal ways so when there is something wrong or something different it is easily spotted.  Children don't always open up to adults due to fear, conducting these health assessments places children in a comfort zone if they are conducted routinely. Not only for illnesses, but for any problem the child may be encountering, it is important for children to feel like someone is there for them and that they care.  

Monitoring weight loss is imperative to a child's well being. Weight loss can be a result of many things, for example: malnutrition at home, depression, mental abuse, or physical illness. As a teacher it is my job to determine if a child is properly being cared for after they leave the school grounds. A teachers job is never done, I can monitor children while they are under my direct supervision, but making sure they return happy, nourished, and healthy is also part of my responsibility.

Daily health assessments will also teach and prepare children to take care of themselves as they get older. Teaching them proper eating habits, good communication skills, proper hygiene, and giving them support early in life will make an important impression on children, and hopefully make a lasting impression where they will use what they have learned once they have moved on to another classroom. 

Recording what is noted in each individual child is absolutely necessary not only for making sure the child gets the proper care when something is noticed, but to have documentation if an incident happens to occur a second time. Unfortunately, there are children who suffer from abuse at home, documentation is important when you have to report something to child services. 

Ultimately, "primary responsibility for a child's health care always belongs to the family" (Marotz, pg.60). However, as teachers and care takers of the children in our classroom, we must learn to read our children outside the box of norms. Health assessments make it easy for us to be able to tend to a child's needs, wants, illnesses, and well being.

Childhood Memory of Eating with Someone

Going back 18 years, I remember being in Guatemala with my grandmother. It was breakfast time and she prepared a traditional breakfast which included fried plantains, refried beans, and fried pastries called "fritas". I think for me it was definitely a very ecstatic place,tasting all the wonderful traditional greasy foods. Being 5 years old at the time, it was more about having fun, and being allowed to eat sweets for breakfast was obviously a plus. After being warned not to eat too many plantains (especially because I put sugar on them)I ate them anyway. I projectile vomited on the kitchen table! You would think that stopped me. After recovering that day, I sneaked into the kitchen and ate some more that night, and didn't get caught.