Chapter 10 Physical Development in the School Aged Child Body Growth in Middle Childhood o Slow regular pattern o Grow around 2 3 inches and gain about 5 pounds per year o Lower portion of body growing fastest o Bones lengthen o Muscles very flexible Ligaments aren t attached to bones yet o All permanent teeth arrive o Torso becomes slimmer o Center of gravity shifts to pelvic area Sex differences o Girls shorter and lighter shorter and lighter until around age 9 o Girls higher proportion of body fat o Boys more muscle Growth Worldwide o Racial differences in body structure genetic and nutritional contribution as well o Shortest children South America Asia Pacific Islands parts of Africa o Tallest children North Central Europe Australia Canada U S o Secular trend in industrialized countries toward larger and heavier children Partially due to adequate nutrition Brain Development in Middle Childhood o Brain weight increases by 10 o Increase in white matter in the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex Leads to more efficiency o Decrease in gray matter Loosing neurons synaptic pruning o Synaptic connections and myelination occur at the same time as synaptic pruning Leads to greater lateralization of the cerebral hemispheres more differentiation in the sides of the brain Corpus callosum is thickening o Neurotransmitters and hormones may affect cognition and behavior o Dramatic growth spurt of frontal cortex between 6 and 8 years old when children begin school Common Health Problems in Middle Childhood o Vision Myopia Nearsightedness Causes of Myopia Genetics o Myopic parents o Asian heritage Early biological trauma o Low birth weight Experience o Reading and close work o Computer use About 1 5 of children ages 6 to 11 have Myopia About by the end of the school years o Hearing Otitis media middle ear infection o Malnutrition Little focus on eating Fewer meals with family o Obesity Obesity Rates on the Rise Meals at the family dinner table encourage better nutrition choices in children More milk and vegetables consumed than when eating elsewhere Too few fruits and vegetables Too many friend foods and soft drinks Possible Vitamin D deficiencies o Can be fixed by drinking milk taking supplements or spending more time in the sun without sunscreen Poverty and lack of nutritional food People in poverty know less about nutrition and are more likely to buy low cost high fat foods Higher stress levels also lead to poor nutrition choices A dramatic rise in overweight and obese rates has occurred in many Western nations Today about 1 3 of North American children and adults are overweight 17 of U S children and 15 of Canadian children are obese Obesity rates are also rapidly increasing in developing nations In China for example there has been a four fold increase over the last 50 years o Cultural beliefs may contribute to the problem boys who are more overweight are valued more and overweight may be seen as a status symbol for prosperity o Increase in Obesity Among 7 to 18 Year Olds in China from 1985 to 2000 The Seriousness of the Obesity Epidemic Boys more overweight than girls Over 80 of children who are overweight or obese will become overweight adults at risk for lifelong health problems Type II Diabetes is rising rapidly among overweight children sometimes with severe early complications Causes of Obesity in Middle Childhood Overweight Parents Malnutrition Early rapid growth o Early malnutrition leads to slower metabolism causing people to need less food Low SES Family eating habits o Ex food as rewards fast food Response to food cues o Greater responsiveness to external stimuli associated with food o Less responsiveness to internal hunger cues o USUALLY this is the opposite in children Low physical activity o Television advertising kids see 25 600 commercials year 22 are for breakfast snacks and fast food 43 are for sedentary activities such as other shows movies or video games School o Less money to put towards food o Fattening foods are cheaper Risks for Obese Children More likely to be overweight adults Health risks o High blood pressure o High cholesterol o Respiratory problems o Diabetes o Liver gall bladder problems o Cancer Psychological risks o Feeling unattractive o Stereotyping and teasing o Depression o Problem behaviors o Early puberty and sexual problems adult like body with a child o Bedwetting like brain Nocturnal Enuresis 10 school aged Hereditary contributions Causes Poor muscular responses o Failure of muscles to respond during sleep Hormonal imbalance Difficulty awakening o Permits too much urine to accumulate during the night o Trouble waking up to the sensation of a full bladder Treatment Urine alarms to wake the child at the first sign of dampness most Antidepressants for hormone imbalance o Illnesses effective More acute short term illnesses first two years of school Exposure to sick kid germs Still developing immune system Chronic long term diseases 15 20 Asthma most common chronic o On the increase o Doubled over the past 30 years Severe illnesses 2 o Injuries
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