Common Childhood Illnesses
Advice for children with selected medical conditions
If your child has a medical condition, they might benefit from changes in their diet and exercise routine. These lifestyles changes can help, especially if they need extra care to stay safe during physical activities.
This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice. If your child has a medical condition, consult their doctor for exercise recommendations and precautions. Always seek professional healthcare advice before starting any treatment or with any health-related concerns.
What do I need to take note if my child has...
Asthma
Your child can continue with their regular activities and exercises as usual. In fact, certain exercises, such as swimming, have been shown to be protective against Asthma. It is recommended that your child always carries his/her rescue inhalers.
What do I need to take note if my child has...
Epilepsy
If your child is diagnosed with epilepsy, activities like swimming or high-element activities should be avoided without supervision, as a seizure during these activities can be dangerous. Ensuring your child follows the prescribed anti-seizure medication regimen is also crucial for their safety and well-being.
Epilepsy in Children
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Congenital Heart Diseases
The symptoms of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) can vary based on your child’s age and the specific type of heart condition. Common signs to watch for include difficulty keeping up with physical activities, as well as episodes of shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.
Congenital Heart Disease in Children (NUH)
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Scoliosis
Children with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can usually continue with their daily physical activities as per normal. In fact, exercises such as swimming, planks and other activities that strengthen the core can help your child’s back health. Although this may not necessarily prevent/cure scoliosis, having a healthier back may prevent issues like having back pain.
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Sit up straight
School bag less than 15% of bodyweight
Sports/activities that build the core
Scoliosis
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Hypertension
Being active daily (e.g., getting your child to do some brisk walking or stationary cycling) can help to improve their cardiovascular fitness and lower their blood pressure.
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When at home, use less salt, sauces, stock cubes and seasoning powders for meals. Choose natural herbs and spices like onion, ginger, garlic, chilli, parsley, spring onions, cinnamon and cloves to enhance the taste of food instead. Need some inspiration? Check out these recipes.
When eating out, you can enjoy lower-sodium meals by looking out for lower-sodium healthier choice symbol. Where possible, ask for food to be prepared with no gravy or sauces to be served on the side. Avoid letting your child drink soup stock and sauces.
Limit processed foods. Choose fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean meat and poultry, and fish instead.
High Blood Pressure: Healthy Eating Guide
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Hyperlipidermia
Remain active daily by bringing your child on a brisk walk, a swim or a stationary cycle to improve their cardiovascular fitness.
A diet high in cholesterol, saturated and trans fat can raise the risk of developing hyperlipidemia. Follow the tips below to better manage your child's blood cholesterol levels.
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Cut down on the amount of saturated fat in the diet, which is found mainly in fatty meat, visible fat in poultry, full cream milk and milk products, butter and ghee, and in plant products such as coconut milk, palm oil and certain types of non-dairy creamer.
Limit processed foods (hot dogs, nuggets), fast food (pizzas, burgers), deep fried foods (fried chicken, fries), they are high in fat, especially saturated fat.
Choose healthier oils such as olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil or polyunsaturated oil such as corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil in cooking.
Consume high-cholesterol foods in moderation. All plant-based foods are naturally cholesterol-free!
Avoid giving your child organ meats such as liver, kidney, brain and innards or eat them in small portions as they are high in cholesterol content.
Try swapping out meat for plant-based protein alternatives like bean curd, peas, and beans on some days. If your child isn’t a big fan of vegetables, check out these tips to make eating greens more appealing.
What do I need to take note if my child has...
Diabetes
Being active daily by bringing your child for brisk walking, swimming or stationary cycling can improve their cardiovascular fitness.
Encourage your child to engage in gentle exercises such as going for a 1 hour walk to bring down their blood sugar levels.
Follow the tips below to better manage your child's blood sugar levels.
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Eat a well-balanced meal comprising of 1/4 plate wholegrains, 1/4 plate lean meat and others, 1/2 plate of fruit and vegetables.
If your child has diabetes, try to incorporate non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and cauliflower in their meals.
Recipes to manage diabetes:
Limit sweet drinks and processed sweet treats. Create colourful fruit skewers or cut fruits into fun shapes and offer these as a snack if they are craving for sweets!
Children who are overweight at age seven stayed overweight as adults, which can often lead to adult obesity if this chubbiness persists.
Tips
Reducing the consumption of high calorie processed food, fast food, and deep-fried foods is crucial to the children’s health.
Set limits to processed, deep-fried foods and fast food
These foods should be eaten occasionally, not as regular part of the diet. Establish clear rules when they can be eaten (e.g., once a week or month) to manage portion control.
Provide healthier alternatives
If your child craves for deep-fried foods, offer baked or air-fried alternatives e.g. air-fried chicken drumlets or baked fish to reduce overall calorie intake.
Practise mindful eating together
Family meals encourage healthier eating habits, portion control and offer an opportunity to discuss food choices and balanced diets in a supportive environment for overweight children.
Tips
Reducing the consumption of high calorie processed food, fast food, and deep-fried foods is crucial to the children’s health.
Set limits to processed, deep-fried foods and fast food
These foods should be eaten occasionally, not as regular part of the diet. Establish clear rules when they can be eaten (e.g., once a week or month) to manage portion control.
Provide healthier alternatives
If your child craves for deep-fried foods, offer baked or air-fried alternatives e.g. air-fried chicken drumlets or baked fish to reduce overall calorie intake.
Practise mindful eating together
Family meals encourage healthier eating habits, portion control and offer an opportunity to discuss food choices and balanced diets in a supportive environment for overweight children.
Hacks to burn more calories
Here are some strategies to help children to reduce sedentary activities and burn more calories!
Resources
Other Medical Conditions
If your child has been diagnosed or is suspected any other underlying medical condition, you may wish to speak to your child’s doctor for any specific exercise advice and precautionary measures that are relevant to your child's condition.
As a family, you can set a good example and provide support to help your child make healthier lifestyle changes.
Focusing on balanced meals, getting enough quality sleep, being more active, and managing screen use can help your child maintain a healthy weight.
