Keep head in game, be safety conscious

Q: My daughter is on the soccer team, and I am worried about head injuries. How can I know when she is at risk from concussions and when she’s not? — Janine R., Santa Barbara, California

A: It’s estimated around 4 to 5 million sports-related head injuries happen to child-athletes annually, almost half in football, although girls soccer and volleyball are also risky. And a third of high school athletes who receive a sports-related concussion report two or more in the same year — increasing their risk for traumatic brain injury.

A new study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine looked at 524 head-injury patients ages 12 to 24 and found that most were able to recover in four weeks or less with minimal medical intervention. They need to be evaluated by a doctor and take the Post-concussion Symptom Questionnaire to determine they’re low scoring. After a rest, a qualified trainer can take the young athlete through a gradual reentry, from light to moderate and heavy non-contact activity, to a return to team practices and then to competition.

But there are kids who should be seen for continued evaluation and treatment. The research showed those most in need of extra care are kids who have had one or more previous concussions; rated a high score on their PCSS questionnaire; were younger; and have one or more family member with a current or past psychiatric disorder.

Make sure your kids’ coaches and trainers are enforcing safety protocols in practice and in games.

Q: I’ve lost 25 pounds by changing my eating habits, but I still have a pouch of belly fat that won’t go away. How can I get a flatter torso? — Greg F., Fort Collins, Colorado

A: When you are overweight, there’s a good chance that you have added visceral fat around your internal organs. This is different from the subcutaneous fat, which is right below your skin’s surface. Visceral fat impacts your organs and doesn’t like to be shown the door.

You accumulate it because of stress, eating added sugars, processed carbs and saturated fats, being sedentary and not getting enough sleep.

You want to stick with 100 percent whole grains, and avoid saturated fats from dairy, and red and processed meats. If chronically stressed, try meditation, yoga, aerobic exercise and improving your sleep habits. However, taking those steps without adding in moderate and vigorous exercise isn’t going to get you to a flat tummy.