October 19th is celebrated as the World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day. It was initiated by the United States Bone and Joint Initiative in the year 2012. Since then every weak from October 12 to October 20 is highlighted to raise awareness on musculoskeletal issues. The main aim of this day is to bring awareness to the growing musculoskeletal concerns found in children.

With the pandemic, many children have been restricted to venture out of their own homes. As such it confines their activity and movement to the bare minimum. This can trigger serious conditions like back pain and knee pain. As children are growing their bones too are developing. Older bones are getting replaced with newer bones. This growth spurt can either eliminate previous malignancy or cause malignancy. 

Ensure Movement 

Kids are in the stage where they are naturally very active. Do not hesitate to let your child climb, run and play around. This captivity helps them flex and exercise their growing muscles. If it is possible, enroll your child in sporting activities like gymnasium or dancing. These will not only help them achieve peak body development but also help them develop their brains. 

Posture 

Slouching has become an endemic of its own. As time spent in front of laptops and mobiles increased, our ability to have a good posture has decreased. When one uses their mobiles we tilt our head down. Our head at an upright position weighs 10 to 12 lbs but when we title it forward it reaches the weight of 50 to 60 lbs. This causes extra pressure on the spine.

Nutrition 

For children, it is crucial to have a sufficient and nutritious diet. Include many dairy products to ensure that they get a sufficient amount of calcium. Calcium helps in developing and strengthening bones. Other calcium sources are ragi, sesame, and rajma. Darke leafy vegetables like spinach also are loaded with calcium.