Video Games

YES, YOUR KID IS PLAYING TOO MANY VIDEO GAMES.

If you even have to ask yourself the question, you probably already know the answer. Video games are entering the world of addiction medicine and video game and internet addiction may actually become diagnosable conditions in the new addition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for psychiatrists.

I see countless kids who are doing their brains a severe disservice by gaming too much. A recent study in the journal of pediatrics states that kids can definitely give themselves even worse ADHD by playing games and watching TV more than 2 hours average per day. But my thinking is that number is not low enough. For the most part, there is no socially redeeming reason to play video games, especially first-person shooters and massively multiplayer online games. My reasons are many, but my main complaints center around the damage that the games do to family togetherness. Humans are animals who are meant to be around each other, communally, enjoying each other, sharing, cooperating, and helping each other. The endless selfish hours of videogames that many children are allowed undermine the role of the family on human development. My other complaint about videogames is the false sense of self-esteem that develops in children. I see so many kids whose sole talent is that they can beat levels on the hottest XBox game. Who cares? When that kid is applying for college, is the Dean going to ask, "what level are you in World of Warcraft?"

Gaming is reaching the level of addiction for many kids. It impact sleep, worsens grades, and becomes an obsession just like drugs and alcohol. Kids play games for longer than intended, just like drugs and alcohol. They get withdrawals just like drugs and alcohol. They lie about their gaming, just like drugs and alcohol.

If your kid is addicted to video games, I suggest removing the system from your house or disabling the computer. Require your kids to play on the weekends only or play as a family for limited amounts of time. Video games are a huge privilege, but some kids act like they are entitled to play games every day. No they are not. Put your foot down. Your kids will throw a giant fit and be mad at you, and that's ok.

Diet Recommendations

A healthy diet is essential for brain functioning.

Many kids have the false idea that a low-fat diet is healthy for weight control. Fat is a major component of a healthy diet and is essential to keep our brains and many other organs running properly. Your brain is mostly made of fat, so don't skip out on one of your body's most essential building blocks. Carbohydrates are turned into glucose which is the only fuel that your brain can use for energy. Our neurotransmitters are made from amino-acids which are the breakdown products of protein we eat. Without the right amino-acids, we can make ourselves depressed, anxious and slower thinkers.

A balanced diet of an even proportion of fat, carbohydrates, and protein is probably the best diet for humans. We must also account for activity level when we eat. If you are a couch-potato, the calorie requirements are not the same as if you are an endurance runner.

Some helpful tips

1lb=3500 calories

-if you want to lose a pound or gain a pound, it’s all about the numbers. If you eat 500 calories more than you need, you’ll gain a pound per week (500x7=3500calories=1lb). If you eat less or exercise equivalent to 3500 calories less than your base calorie need, you will lose one pound.

Base calorie need:

-take your weight in lbs and multiply by 12 and that’s the minimum number of calories you need to stay your current weight. If you do lots of physical activity, you may need to multiply by 13 or 14 to get you basic needs. If you need to lose weight, then multiply your target weight by 12 and eat that many calories.

Food Diaries:

-keeping a food diary and using web resources to calculate you total calorie intake, fat/protein/carb balance is really helpful. “Lose It” is a great application if you have an iPhone. Caloriecount.com and livestrong.com are other great resources.