Health Concerns
Middle Aged Children
Desiree Davis
Hearing
- Hearing is usually well developed.
- By 11 years of age, children have the auditory awareness of adults.
- Ear infections can be a health problem.
- The number of ear infections decreases due to structural changes.
- The Eustachian tube, has changed position by this age.
- The tube helps prevent bacteria and fluids from moving from the mouth to the ear.
Vision
- By age six, most children are ready to read.
- They can see an object with both eyes at the same time.
- Their ability to focus improves.
- Many preschoolers are somewhat farsighted.
- During the middle years, their close-up vision improves.
- Throughout middle childhood, nearsightedness is the most common vision problem.
- It is estimated as many as 25% of children will need to have their vision corrected.
Teeth
- During middle childhood, children begin losing their primary or "baby" teeth.
- First and second graders often have toothless smiles.
- By age 12, all of the 20 primary teeth will be replaced.
- Tooth loss can have a psychological effect on some children.
- They become self-conscious.
- Calling attention to the change in their appearance may cause them to be uncomfortable.
- Common health problem is tooth decay.
- Middle children should have daily checkups.
Obesity
- Becoming a common problem among school-age children.
- A person is considered obese if she/he weighs 20% more than other people their age.
- Being obese can seriously impact a child's emotional health.
- Obese children are often teased and ridiculed by their peers.
- Over-weight children may lack self-esteem.
- Some obese children may have obese parents.