Health and the Middle Child

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

03 Feb 2008 07:34 AM

Studies are showing that birth order can actually have an impact on health. You can't help the order that your children are born in. But knowing what ailments are likely to strike your middle child can help you keep them safe, happy, and healthy!

Middle (and youngest) children are less likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, and eczema, thanks to oldest children exposing them to all sorts of bacteria and viruses. All those germs can help develop a stronger immune system! Middle (and youngest) children also have a five percent lower risk of developing gum disease for the same reason.

Middle children are more prone to depression than oldest and youngest siblings. A study from the University of Wisconsin found that parents spend nearly ten percent less time with middle children than with oldest and youngest -- that can lead to lower self esteem. (The same study also found that parents spend less money on their middle children than on the oldest and youngest.) A study from the University of Pennsylvania agrees that middle children demonstrate more symptoms of depression than oldest or youngest siblings.

Children who think they aren't getting enough attention can feel depressed. Make sure you get one-on-one time with ALL your kids! Some special alone time can help keep your middle child from feeling left out.

Middle children have a slightly higher chance of suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than oldest or youngest siblings. Experts say that chronic fatigue syndrome may be triggered by an infection, so be sure to keep vaccines current, eat healthy, and practice good hygiene. Know the signs of CFS: if a child or adolescent complains of feeling exhausted for three months (and rest doesn't help), it may be chronic fatigue syndrome. Think of it this way: a healthy child isn't going to make excuses to skip the fun stuff. A child with CFS might.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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