We’ve all heard it before - children learn through play, and even better when they’re playing outside. Being outdoors not only enhances a growing child’s curiosity and imagination, but also naturally helps them to build their immune system. 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of 5, and even simple illnesses may impact their learning abilities during this golden period. Although most parents are happy to let their children enjoy the outdoors to create healthy childhood memory, playing outside in the rain however, is generally frowned upon, for the common perception that being exposed to rainy or cold weather will cause them to catch a cold or flu. Now, is this merely a myth, or a fact indeed?
Yes, it’s true that we often experience the common colds or flu during the colder months. However, medical professionals have not found any evidence to prove that being exposed to colder temperatures is the cause of the common cold or flu. Other things like VIRUSES are the culprits behind the common cold and flu¹.
This is why a strong immune system is important, so children can fight back against the virus(es) that they may have encountered. With a strong immunity, children can enjoy playing and exploring anywhere, anytime!
So, shall we stop singing “Rain, rain go away, come again another day?” We think so! It’s perfectly okay to let your children play outside in the rain once in a while, except during stormy weather that comes with thunder, lightning and strong winds. Rain or cold weather correlates with colds, but definitely does not cause colds.
The Key To A Happy and Healthy Childhood - A Strong Immune System!
Yup! With a strong immune system, your growing children are all set to experience the true wonders of healthy childhood, no matter the weather. So if water play (think beaches, pools, waterfalls and rivers) makes your children’s day, now you can add rain into the list, and they’ll have even more happier days ahead!
Getting excited, aren’t we? Hang on, before you add that cute raincoat, rain boots and umbrella into your shopping cart, let’s start off by following these simple steps to help your little ones boost their immune system.
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Exercise
Give your children enough play time outside, even if it’s just under the porch or anywhere outdoors (supervised with proper physical distancing, of course!). It’s great if they get to be outside every day, otherwise, a few days a week is sufficient. Let them run, observe bugs, get close to plants & nature, play catch, ride bikes, skate, etc. The more they move, the stronger they get.
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Sleep well
Getting enough sleep is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle. Children especially, need adequate sleep as it allows their body to rest and recuperate to get ready for the next day. Experts believe that most children below 12 need approximately 10 hours of sleep per night². When children get little sleep, it may impact their growth and immune system.
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Eat a balanced diet and drink milk
A strong immune system begins with proper nutrition. Studies show that neural connections in the brain are actively formed in the early years³. It is during this period too that parents are most concerned about their growing children’s nutritional intake. The easiest way to go about this is to simply follow the Malaysian Dietary Guideline for Children and Adolescents. Here are some basic pointers:
- Include 5 main food groups, including dairy in your daily diet⁴.
- 2-3 servings of dairy in a day is recommended, and this includes growing up milk⁴.
- Growing up milk for children is also recommended for children with poor diet or picky eating habits, as it is fortified with various nutrients that meet the nutritional requirement for children according to their age group⁴.
Here’s a tip: When choosing growing up milk for your children, look for one that contains Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). New to these terms? Don’t worry, we’ll break them down for you.
MFGM QUICK FACTS
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What is MFGM?
MFGM is a complex combination of lipids and proteins⁵, a membrane surrounding lipid droplets in milk⁶ that is found abundantly in the human brain⁷.
- What are the benefits of MFGM?
- Supports IMMUNITY : According to a study involving the consumption of MFGM enriched milk by young children, MFGM was found to have a protective effect against gastrointestinal infections, producing a significant decrease in days of fever symptoms⁸.
- Supports BRAIN CELL CONNECTIONS: Studies show that MFGM helps brain cells to connect, hence regulating mental abilities, emotions and mood⁹.
- MFGM works synergistically with DHA to support IQ (mental) and EQ (emotional) development in children⁸᠈¹⁰.
DHA QUICK FACTS
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What is DHA?
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. It is a primary structural component of the human brain.
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Where can DHA be found?
DHA can be obtained directly from cold-water, fatty fish such as salmon, or can also be produced by algae¹¹.
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What are the benefits of DHA?
Incorporating DHA into your children’s diet helps in their mental development¹⁰.
DHA is also a key nutrient that aids in the development of intellectual, motor, emotional/social and communication skills¹².
Click here for more detailed information on the benefits of MFGM and DHA.
Rain or Shine, Get Out and Play!
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And now you know it! Give your growing child the best start in life with a happy and healthy childhood. And when it comes to food and nutrition, don’t forget to boost their immunity and sharpen their minds with the ideal combo of MFGM and DHA. Here’s to happy and healthy childhood days ahead! Fewer Sick Days, Sharper Minds.
Now let’s get ready for playtime!
References:
1.Understanding the Basics of the Common Cold: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/understanding-common-cold-basics#1
2. What Sleep Is And Why All Kids Need It: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/not-tired.html
3. Brain Architecture: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture
4. Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents: https://nutrition.moh.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/penerbitan/buku/MDG_Children_adolescent_2014.pdf9d765c1b95f.pdf
5. Kuchta-Noctor AM et al. Journal Nutrition and Cancer. 2016; 68(7)
6. V.L Spitsberg. Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane as a Potential Nutraceutical: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030205729064, 19 Oct. 2020.
7. Svennerholm L et al. Journal of Lipid Research. 1968;9:570-579
8. Veereman-Wauters G et al. Milk fat globule membrane (INPULSE) enriched formula milk decreases febrile episodes and may improve behavioral regulation in young children. Nutrition. 2012;28:749-752: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900711003741?via%3Dihub
9. Banjari I et al. Brain food: how nutrition alters our mood and behavior. Hrana u zdravlju i bolesti, znanstveno-stručni časopis za nutricionizam i dijetetiku, 2014; 3(1),13-21: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/186517
10. Montgomery, P. et al. Low Blood Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids in UK Children Are Associated with Poor Cognitive Performance and Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the DOLAB Study. 2013. PLoS ONE 8(6), https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066697
11. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-864/docosahexaenoic-acid-dha
12. Kuratko CN, Barrett EC, Nelson EB, Salem N Jr. The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review. Nutrients 2013;5:2777-810C: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738999/