Physical Development in MiddleChildhoodBody Growth Slow, regular pattern Girls shorter and lighter until about age 9 Lower portion of body growing faster Bones lengthen Muscles very flexible  All permanent teeth arriveCommon Health Problems Overweight and obesity Vision- Myopia (nearsightedness) Hearing- Otitis media (Ear infection) Malnutrition Bedwetting Illness InjuriesNutrition in Middle Childhood Causes of poor nutrition - Little focus on eating- Fewer meals with family- Few fruits and vegetables- Too many fried foods and soft drinks- Poverty and lack of nutrition Children report they feel better and focus better after eating healthy foods Lingering malnutrition can lead to permanent physical and mental damage About 32% US children are overweight, 17% are obeseCauses of Obesity Overweight Parents  Low SES (socio-economic status) Parent’s feeding practices Low physical activity  Television  Cultural food environment Consequences of Obesity  Both children and adults rate obese youngsters as unlikable  In school obese children and adolescents report more emotional, social and school difficulties  Persistent Obesity  The psychological consequence of obesity combine with continuing discrimination to result in reduced life chancesAccidents in Middle childhood Most common types- Motor Vehicle - Bicycle- Pedestrian Prevention- Teach safety- Model safe behavior- Require helmets - Watch high risk children more closely (Active, high energy)Motor Development  Gross Motor Skill Improvements- Flexibility - Balance- Agility - Force Fine Motor Skill Gain- Writing - DrawingIndividual Differences in Motor Skills Body build  Sex Family encouragement expectations SES School and community lessons