Childhood Acid Reflux Disease Poses Challenges for Many Families, National Survey Reveals
November 09 2006 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Parents Say Symptoms Can Affect Kids' Sleeping Routines, Social
Life, School Performance, and Eating Habits - WILMINGTON, Del.,
Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Almost everyone suffers from
occasional heartburn, even kids. However, if symptoms are
persistent and occur two or more days a week, it could signify a
condition known as acid reflux disease, commonly known as GERD,
which affects roughly two to eight percent of children in the
United States. A recent online survey conducted by StrategyOne
found that GERD can have a significant impact on kids' lifestyles,
and nearly four in ten (38%) parents wished they had more resources
about GERD in children. In order to educate families about
identifying and managing this condition, AstraZeneca and Healthy
Kids Challenge have launched the "Healthy Kids, Healthy Families"
national GERD awareness program. The program's Web site,
http://www.healthykidz.com/, provides information and tools to help
parents better understand GERD and work with their child's
healthcare professional to develop a treatment plan. "Symptoms of
GERD can be difficult to identify, and it often goes undiagnosed as
a result," said Anthony Infantolino, MD, FACP, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital. "When parents are equipped with accurate, up-to-date
information about GERD, they are able to take an active role in
working with their child's doctor to manage the condition, which
may include lifestyle changes for the whole family." Additional
Survey Results Key findings from the online survey that polled 205
parents with children ages 1-17 to better understand parents'
views, behavior, and knowledge regarding the impact GERD can have
on their child: Impact on Eating Habits -- More than a quarter of
parents (27%) surveyed said that planning meals for a child with
GERD can be stressful. -- Four in ten parents said keeping their
kids away from foods that can aggravate symptoms is difficult. --
According to parents, foods that are greasy (42%), spicy (41%), and
fried (38%) are the most problematic and also the hardest for kids
to avoid. - In addition to being common GERD triggers, greasy and
fried foods can make it more difficult to maintain an ideal weight,
another factor that can aggravate GERD symptoms. -- Seven out of
ten (72%) parents said their child's eating habits have been
affected by GERD, yet only half (51%) have changed the way their
child eats to accommodate GERD limitations. Impact on Lifestyle --
More than half (53%) of parents reported that their child's school
performance had been affected by GERD in the past year, which
evoked feelings of anxiety (40%), anger (40%), and depression (18%)
in their kids. -- Seven out of ten (69%) parents reported that GERD
affected their child's sleeping habits, and more than half (51%)
said this led to feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger. --
Nearly half (48%) of parents reported that their child's social
activities are sometimes affected by GERD. "There are many steps
families can take in an effort to lessen the occurrence of GERD
symptoms, including changing the way they eat," said Vickie James,
Registered and Licensed Dietitian, Director of Healthy Kids
Challenge. "In addition to sharing quality time together, spending
time preparing a meal as a family promotes healthy eating habits.
Parents can visit http://www.healthykidz.com/ for recipe ideas,
tips on lifestyle changes, and tools for talking with their child's
healthcare professional." The Healthy Kids Can Cook recipe contest
is one way kids can get excited about GERD-friendly eating. Details
about the contest can be found on http://www.healthykidz.com/.
About Pediatric GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly
referred to as GERD, is a condition in which the contents of the
stomach back up into the esophagus. GERD affects roughly seven
million children, and manifests mostly as vomiting/regurgitation
(at times, persistent), as well as decreased appetite or refusal to
eat(1). Other conditions such as asthma also may be signs of the
disease. Only a health care professional can diagnose GERD and
recommend an appropriate treatment option for each individual
child. For initial treatment of GERD, families should try lifestyle
modifications, such as smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding
certain foods. About the Survey The Parents' Perspectives on GERD
survey was conducted by StrategyOne, an applied research consulting
firm, on behalf of AstraZeneca. The online survey polled 205
parents of children ages 1-17 years old who suffer from GERD to
better understand parents' views, behavior, and knowledge regarding
their child's condition. The survey, which has a margin of error of
plus or minus 6.8 at the 95% level of confidence, was conducted
using the field services of Harris Interactive during August 2006.
About Healthy Kids Challenge Healthy Kids Challenge is an
award-winning national nonprofit organization with the mission to
use everyday ways to guide schools, communities, and programs in
creating solutions to help kids and families Connect Health And
Needs, Get Excited (C.H.A.N.G.E.). In 2003-04, Healthy Kids
Challenge was the recipient of the American Dietetics Association
Anita Owen award for the Most Innovative Educational Program. The
same year Vickie James (R.D, L.D.) was honored by the ADA
Foundation by being selected as the national recipient of the Award
for Excellence in Community Dietetics. Currently Ms. James is a
member of the ADA faculty for the Pediatric Weight Management
Certification Training Program for Dietitians. Since 1998, Healthy
Kids Challenge has been making healthy eating and physical activity
CHANGE happen by using a "start where you are" approach, an "every
day" process for change, and making familiar environments where
kids and families live, learn, work, and play FUN and HEALTHY!
Contact Healthy Kids Challenge at 1-888-259-6287 or
http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/. About AstraZeneca AstraZeneca
is a major international health care business engaged in the
research, development, manufacture, and marketing of prescription
pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of
the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales
of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of
gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory,
oncology, and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca
is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000
employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. For more information
about AstraZeneca, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/.
(1) Rudolph J. Pediatr Gastroenterologist Nutr 2001; 32:S1-31.
DATASOURCE: AstraZeneca CONTACT: Dana Settembrino, AstraZeneca,
+1-302-885-6980 Web Site: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/
http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/ http://www.healthykidz.com/
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