KidsPoll: Children Chime in About Health Literacy and Where They Go for Answers (continued)

Many parents - as well as kids - often leave doctors' offices with more questions than answers, simply because the information given was confusing or unclear. After all, health and the body are complicated scientific subjects. Fortunately, many people in the health care field are working to make health information easier to understand.

No matter from where kids are getting their information, it's important for parents to follow up with their own questions about what their kids "know." It might be about a topic for school (such as how the lungs work), why their face is breaking out, or why their big sister is growing breasts. Whatever the subject, it's important to make sure your child is not only getting the right information but understands what he or she has read or heard.

This also opens up the doors of communication for starting regular conversations about topics for which some children may tend to turn to the Internet. When it comes to sometimes embarrassing areas of interest like puberty (from acne to voice changes), kids need to know that, although it's perfectly OK to want to find out as much as possible about these sensitive topics, you're still there to answer any questions. This also gives you the chance to clear up any confusion and correct any misinformation.

3. Make sure your child applies the information he or she reads or hears to make healthy decisions.

According to the survey, 93% of kids know that what they do in their childhood can affect how healthy they will be as adults. But how often do kids actually do something with what they learn about their health? According to the KidsPoll, about:

• 66% say they try to follow health advice all the time or most of the time
• 19% say they try to follow health advice sometimes
• 15% say they follow health advice hardly ever or never

Of course, even parents have trouble following the health advice they get. It can be tough to exercise after a long day at work. It's hard for kids, too, to eat fruits and vegetables. But being a good health role model can go a long way in teaching children to apply what they've learned to their lives.

For example, let your child see you:

• washing your hands to prevent the spread of germs
• eating well
• exercising
• taking all the medicine your doctor prescribes when you're sick
• never abusing alcohol or drugs
• wearing a seatbelt
• donning a bike helmet
• getting enough sleep

Teaching kids that what they do now can affect their health well into adulthood can send a lasting message that taking care of yourself is important every day, whether you're feeling under the weather or at your very best.

It's even more crucial for parents themselves to be health literate in order to take the best possible care of their children. So, make sure to seek out understandable answers to your health questions, as well as follow all the recommendations of your child's doctor. If you have any questions about your child's health - be it emotional or physical - never hesitate to call your child's doctor for answers and reassurance.

Reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: January 2005