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Creating Healthy Habits for Children
As a parent the main goal we want to achieve for our children is for them to be happy and healthy, and while easier said than done on some days, it is possible.
Achieving a healthy lifestyle for children often starts with parents and caregivers, as they are the ones who are most influential to a child as they grow and develop. And the habits we create for our children in the early stages of childhood can have a lasting effect on their health as adults too.
Here are some Tips to Help Create Healthy Habits:
Develop healthy eating habits. Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products, including cheese and yogurt. Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, and beans for protein. Encourage your family to drink lots of water. Limit consumption of foods and drinks with lots of sugar and high saturated fat.
Help children stay active. Regular physical activity has many health benefits, including strengthening bones, decreasing blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing self-esteem, and helping with weight management.
Children ages 3 through 5 years should be active throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should be physically active at least 60 minutes each day. Include aerobic activity, which is anything that makes their hearts beat faster. Also include bone-strengthening activities such as running or jumping and muscle-strengthening activities such as climbing or push-ups.
Remember that children imitate adults. Start adding physical activity to your own routine and encourage your child to join you.
Reduce sedentary time. Limit the time children watch television, play video games, or surf the web to no more than 2 hours per day. Becoming too sedentary or consistently eating in front of a screen can cause increased weight gain and lead to other health related issues.
Ensure adequate sleep. Too little sleep is associated with obesity, partly because inadequate sleep makes us eat more and be less physically active. Children need more sleep than adults, and the amount varies by age.
By incorporating these healthy habits into your child’s routine, you are not only reducing the odds of childhood obesity occurring, but also helping develop habits as they age in their future.
At SIHF Healthcare, our qualified pediatric staff prides themselves in providing the best quality care to your child. You can rely on our team of medical experts to assist with questions you have and how to educate yourself, so you fully understand everything about your child’s health. To make an appointment with one of our pediatric providers, visit us at https://www.sihf.org/patient-care-services/pediatrics.