Health Tips for November 4

Health Tip: Obesity and Your Child

If your child is at an unhealthy, or even dangerous weight, and weight-loss efforts at home aren't successful, you may want to try a professional weight-loss program.

The Cleveland Clinic offers the following recommendations when choosing a child's weight-loss program:

• The program should employ an array of health professionals, including physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists and exercise physiologists.
• Your child's overall health should be evaluated before any weight-loss program begins.
• The program should include the entire family, rather than focusing only on the child.
• Look for a program that is geared specifically for your child's age group and has different programs based on age.
• Programs should focus on behavioral changes, teaching how to choose healthy foods in variety and portion size, and promoting physical activity.

Health Tip: Monitor the Mercury in Your Food

Mercury is found in many types of fish and shellfish. Because significant amounts of mercury can harm unborn babies and young children, women who are or may become pregnant, those who are nursing, and young children should avoid some kinds of seafood.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers these guidelines:

• Avoid eating fish that contain high levels of mercury, including swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish.
• It's OK to eat up to 12 ounces per week of low-mercury fish and shellfish -- including shrimp, salmon, canned light tuna, pollock and catfish.
• Albacore tuna and tuna steak have more mercury than canned light tuna, so don't eat more than 6 ounces of albacore or tuna steak per week.
• Before you eat any fish caught locally, be aware of any advisories about the safety of local fish.