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According to new studies, 71% of parents say they have tried to prevent colds in their children by following "non-evidence-based" folklore tips.
According to the National Child Health Survey conducted by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan, USA, parents use non-evidence-based cold prevention methods for children. Despite little or no scientific evidence suggesting that these types of methods actually help individuals to not catch or prevent a cold, many parents still believe in "folklore strategies" or that the use of vitamins / supplements helps to prevent it. cold.
How to prevent colds 101
Among the benefits, 99% of parents in the study said that their approach to cold prevention involved good personal hygiene, which is in fact a scientific preventative measure to prevent the spread of colds. Personal hygiene usually involves encouraging children to wash their hands frequently, to teach them not to put their hands near their mouths or noses and to discourage children from sharing utensils or drinks with others. .
Nevertheless, 51% of parents gave their child a vitamin or an over-the-counter supplement to prevent colds, even without proof of their effectiveness. 71% of parents also report that they are trying to protect their child from colds by following non-evidence-based folklore tips, such as preventing children from getting out with wet hair or encouraging them to spend more time at home. # 39; inside.
Use facts, not folklore
Gary Freed, MD, MPH, co-director of the survey and pediatrician at the hospital, explains, "The good news is that the majority of parents are following evidence-based recommendations to avoid catching or spreading colds and other diseases. "
"However, many parents also use supplements and vitamins that have not proven effective in preventing colds and are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are subject to intensive publicity and widespread use, but none have independently demonstrated that they have a definitive effect on cold prevention. "
There is no evidence that providing a child with vitamin C, multivitamins or other products advertised to strengthen the immune system will be effective when an individual is trying to prevent a cold. Freed also notes that it's not necessary to prove the effectiveness of supplements and vitamins to be able to be sold.
In addition, folklore strategies have probably been passed on from generation to generation and started before people knew that germs are actually the cause of diseases such as colds.
On average, children of school age suffer from three to six colds a year, some lasting up to two weeks.
"When children have a cold, it affects the whole family," he adds.
"It's important for parents to understand what cold prevention strategies are based on evidence. While some methods are very effective in preventing children from catching colds, it has not been proven that others could actually tell the difference. "
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