AAP Patient Education Library
Topics
- ADHD
- Adolescents
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Behavioral And Psychosocial Issues
- Chronic Health Needs
- Common Illnesses And Conditions
- Growth And Development
- Immunizations
- Infectious Diseases
- Newborns Infants And Toddlers
- Nutrition And Healthy Living
- Pediatric Care
- Safety And Prevention
- School-aged Children
- Sexual Health And Sexuality
- Sports And Fitness
- Substance Abuse
- Well-child Visits
Select A Topic To Learn More
- ADHD
- Adolescents
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Behavioral And Psychosocial Issues
- Chronic Health Needs
- Common Illnesses And Conditions
- Growth And Development
- Immunizations
- Infectious Diseases
- Newborns Infants And Toddlers
- Nutrition And Healthy Living
- Pediatric Care
- Safety And Prevention
- School-aged Children
- Sexual Health And Sexuality
- Sports And Fitness
- Substance Abuse
- Well-child Visits
Nutrition And Healthy Living
Bottlefeeding Tips
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: It is recommended that mothers breastfeed for the first year of life, but if bottlefeeding is necessary, be sure never to microwave the bottle. Microwaving heats the bottle unevenly. Instead heat the bottle in hot water.
Calcium Crisis
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Nearly half of the children in the United States are suffering from insufficient calcium, which can lead to diseases affecting their bone development. Children should have a calcium rich diet of low fat milk and dairy, or other foods such as broccoli or tofu.
Common Feed Patterns in Nursing
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Newborns often have their own style when it comes to nursing. There are many different attitudes that infants may exhibit when breastfeeding and identifying your child's eating patterns will allow you to better understand when they are hungry.
Cooking with Kids
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: One of the best ways to teach your children how to make healthy food choices is to include them in the cooking process. This teaches them healthy habits and provides them with skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Always supervise your children in the kitchen and teach them proper safety practices.
Feeding Kids Right Isn't Always Easy: Tips for Preventing Food Hassles
Young children need nutrients from a variety of foods to stay healthy. But what if your child only eats macaroni and cheese or will not eat any vegetables?
Food Allergies
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Adults who suffer from food allergies are likely to have children who do as well. Breastfeeding and restricting solid foods from your baby until they are 4-6 months old are a few ways you can prevent the development of food allergies in your child.
Get Fit, Stay Healthy
Being fit means you're in good shape, you have energy, you're active, and you don't get tired easily during the day. Most people who are fit also feel pretty good about themselves.
Getting Enough Calcium
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Calcium is an important part of any daily diet. Lack of calcium can lead to weak bones and other health problems later in life. Pediatricians should screen children to access their daily calcium consumption at ages 2 or 3, 8 or 9, and yearly in the teen and preteen years.
Growing Up Healthy: Fat, Cholesterol and More
Many Americans consume too many calories and too much fat, especially saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar. These eating patterns are one cause of America's high rates of obesity and heart disease.
Healthy Eating for School-Age Kids
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: A healthy diet is extremely important to your child's health and development. Be sure to serve them low fat milk and cheese, appropriate amounts of potassium, and lean meats. Overall, try to eliminate excessive fat in their diet whenever possible.
Healthy Fast Foods
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Fast foods advertisements appeal to children and can be very tempting for a quick meal. If you do choose fast food, be sure to choose healthier options whenever they are available.
Importance of Breakfast, The
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and a good breakfast will allow kids to maintain better focus throughout their day. Breakfast can also decrease the risk of unhealthy weight gain, because it is healthier to spread food consumption throughout the day rather than eating a couple of big meals.
Iron Deficiency and Anemia
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: A diet low in iron can lead to anemia, which can make your child pale, irritable, or cause them to have a lack of energy. There are two types of iron, one found in meats and one found in beans and other vegetables. Citrus foods should be eaten in combination with vegetarian iron-rich foods to increase iron absorption.
Lactose Intolerance and Your Child
After drinking milk or eating ice cream, does your child have stomach cramps or get diarrhea? If so, your child may have lactose intolerance.
More Fiber for your Children? Yes! Here's Why and How.
Fiber is an important nutrient that most children (and parents) are not getting enough of each day. As parents, you do your best to feed your family healthy foods, but you may need help with choosing good sources of fiber. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about fiber.
Nutrition and Eating Problems
Children with ASDs have the same general nutrition needs as all children and teens. Children with ASDs may be picky eaters, so their parents may be concerned that they are not getting the nutrients they need. For example, if a child doesn’t drink milk (because the child refuses or because of a special diet), the child may not get enough calcium and vitamin D. If a child doesn’t eat enough foods made from grains, she may not get enough fiber and B vitamins. Some children with ASDs have such a limited diet that they are at risk for nutritional disorders. They may also be at higher risk for low iron intake.
Obesity and High Blood Pressure
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Obesity and resulting high blood pressure have been on the rise in children in the United States. These can cause damage to the heart and the circulatory system. Screening for high blood pressure should begin at age three. If a child is found to have high blood pressure, certain lifestyle changes can work to reduce this.
Preventing Obesity in Teens
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Obesity is a serious problem for teens and, as a result, many suffer from low self esteem. Low calorie diets are not a good idea for growing teens. Instead they should work to combine healthy eating habits and increased physical activity.
Raw Milk: What You Need to Know
Raw milk is milk that comes straight from a cow, sheep, or goat. Raw milk is not pasteurized (heated to kill germs) or homogenized (processed to keep the cream from separating from the milk).
Right From the Start: ABCs of Good Nutrition for Young Children
As a parent, you are interested in your child's health. Your role is to provide healthy food in appropriate portions, and your child's role is to decide how much to eat. That is why it is important to understand how to provide healthy choices for your child.
Starting Solid Foods
Rice, oatmeal, or barley? What infant cereal or other food will be on the menu for your baby's first solid meal? And have you set a date?
Teen Acne and Diet
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: If your teen suffers from acne, they may blame the food they eat, but there is no link between food and acne. Stress, on the other hand, can trigger acne, and often food intake can be affected by stress so it may be easy to mistake the cause of the acne.
Tips for Healthy Families: More and Less
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Americans are not getting enough potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D in their diets and consume too much sugar, sodium (salt), and fat. Here are tips to help you and your family make more healthy choices and less unhealthy choices. Start with small changes. Remember that parents are important role models and what children learn early on can carry through adulthood.
Understanding Food Labels
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Reading and understanding food labels is a great step toward planning a healthy diet for your family. Pay attention to fat content and be sure to look at portion sizes when comparing different products. Be aware that the portion sizes listed may not be the same as the portions your family eats.
What is the BMI Index?
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a ratio of weight to height used to better recognize when overweight passes over into obesity. Measure your child's BMI every year to better prevent obesity.
What's to Eat? Healthy Foods for Hungry Children
Young children need a variety of foods to get the energy they need to grow up healthy. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on creative ways to serve up breakfast and lunch, tips for picky eaters, and how to make healthy fast-food choices. Also read some tips about food safety, choking hazards, food allergies, and microwave safety. If you have specific questions about your child's nutrition, talk with your child's doctor or a registered dietitian.