When children start school or daycare it is not uncommon for them to have a cold frequently. Contact with lots of other kids means contact with more bugs and a greater chance of infections.
A strong immune system helps to keep our kids active and healthy.
Infact, now, more than ever, our children’s immunity needs to be at its best. With the threat of COVID-19 still looming large and lots of other bugs circulating around, immunity is a big concern, especially for school-age children.
So how can we help to support a strong immune system for our kids?
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Make sure that your child has healthy, balanced meals. How can you ensure that your meals are balanced? Follow the “Quarter, Quarter, Half” approach recommended by the Health Promotion Board:
- Fill a quarter of your plate with wholegrains (like red rice, wholemeal bread, wholegrain noodles)
- A quarter of your plate should have good sources of protein (such as poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, and dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese)
- Make sure that half of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables.
Avoid giving your child processed foods and foods and drinks with added sugar. Importantly, make sure that your child drinks 6-8 glasses of water a day. Water keeps your body hydrated, carries nutrients, and flushes out toxins.
- Make sure your child gets enough quality sleep
We all need sleep to refresh and recharge our bodies, but did you know that not getting enough sleep can affect your immunity? Serious sleeping problems, including sleep disorders like insomnia or interrupted sleep cycle can interfere with the healthy functioning of the immune system.
So how much sleep do kids need? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that school-age children between the ages of 6-12 get at least 9 to 12 hours of sleep each1 night and teenagers aged 13-18 get 8 to 10 hours each night.
To improve your child’s quality of sleep, restrict screen time an hour before bedtime.
- Practice good hygiene
COVID-19 taught us all the importance of handwashing and it is one pandemic habit we shouldn’t break. Eighty percent of common infections are spread by hands.
So, teach your little one to wash their hands as soon as they are back from school, and after sneezing, coughing, going to the bathroom and playing outside.
Also, lead by example and make sure your children see you practicing good personal hygiene.
- Ensure your child gets enough outdoor play and exercise
We parents are an overprotective lot and we might be tempted to shelter our kids from the big bad world of germs and keep them indoors for as much as possible. But in reality, getting our little ones outdoors more often is one of the best ways to build up immunity.
Studies have shown that spending time outdoors helps improve kids’ gut health, boost their immunity and reduce the risk of developing diseases like allergies and infections. Exposure to nature is also linked to better mood, improved attention, and lower stress.
What’s more, research shows that children who spend more time outdoors (playing, participating in sports activities, etc) have a lowered risk of childhood myopia².
It is recommended that children engage in at least 60-90 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day.
- Vitamin supplements
Our body needs various vitamins and minerals, often referred to as “micronutrients,” for growth, development, and for a healthy immune system.
Your child can get these micronutrients through food sources, but if your little one is a picky eater or has food restrictions/allergies and you are worried about his/her nutrient intake, you might want to consider a vitamin supplement to top up key nutrients.
Scott’s Multivitamin Gummies are suitable for children aged 5 years and above, and
contain Zinc and 5 essential vitamins (A, B6, C, D, E) to support immunity, strong bone growth and healthy vision.
It is available in three delicious fruity flavors Apple, Tropical Fruits, and the NEWEST addition - Mango, which is sure to delight even the fussiest of kids! No wonder Scott's is the Number 1 Kids' Multivitamin Brand in Singapore*!
From 15 September to 26 October, stand a chance to redeem a $12 GV Movie E-Voucher with $48 purchase of Scott’s Multivitamin Gummies at any Watsons/Guardian/Unity stores! Refer to www.facebook.com/ScottsSingapore for more Terms & Conditions.
If you want to give Scott’s Multivitamin Gummies a try, do head over to Shopee or Lazada, or to your nearby Guardian, Watsons or Unity stores!
*Based on GSK calculation from a professional retail index sales value of Kid's Multivitamin Category including Multivitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D segments in Singapore Sep'19-Aug'21.
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References:
¹Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D'Ambrosio C, Hall WA, Kotagal S, Lloyd RM, Malow BA, Maski K, Nichols C, Quan SF, Rosen CL, Troester MM, Wise MS. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016 Jun 15;12(6):785-6. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.5866. PMID: 27250809; PMCID: PMC4877308.
²Cao K, Wan Y, Yusufu M, Wang N: Significance of Outdoor Time for Myopia Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials. Ophthalmic Res 2020;63:97-105. doi: 10.1159/000501937