Healthy Lifetime Habits for all Ages

Maintaining physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle are the results of including sports participation and physical activity in your regular routines. These are important habits to develop as children and to continue throughout your lifetime.

The AMA has estimated that among Americans aged six to 19, the rate of obesity has more than tripled from the numbers seen in previous generations. Along with this has come an epidemic of illnesses seldom seen in doctor's offices a few decades ago. Other studies have shown that regular exercise improves self-esteem and mental health, and helps to control weight gain at all ages, while reducing cardiovascular problems and improving a number of quality of life issues in the later adult years.

It is not too late. A recent study published by the British Medical Journal showed men who adopt a physically active lifestyle at age 50 can, over time, have the same benefit on mortality risk as those who have always been physically active.

Within the Greater Houston area, including Ft. Bend County, we are fortunate to have ample recreational opportunities and facilities, many at little or no cost. By utilizing these regularly, we can improve our long term quality of life and lessen the potential need in later years to have to take advantage of the medical facilities also in our area.

Parents can insure that their children are physically fit and ready for sports by establishing a culture of fitness within the family, while also managing the risks as best as possible.

This web site is for you. In addition to information about potential injuries, it includes tips on proper conditioning and other safety considerations for the sports of interest to you and your children.

               — Tom Parr, M.D.

COMMON SPORTS INJURIES & SAFE PARTICIPATION

Baseball & Softball
Basketball
Bicycling
Boating & Waterskiing
Cheerleading & Gymnastics
Dance
Fishing
Football
Golf
Horseback Riding
Ice Skating & Hockey
Martial Arts
Personal Conditioning
Running & Jogging
Skateboarding & Rollerblading
Skiing & Snowboarding
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball

For emergencies after hours, call 281-491-7111 or 713-954-1343 or go to either Foundation Surgical Hospital or St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital and ask them to call Dr. Parr. Non-Medicare patients can also go to St. Michael's ER.