Health & Safety Tips - Seven Ways Parents Can Help Their Children Become "Fit Kids"
Lifelong healthy habits start early. Here are some ways parents can help their children develop and maintain good health habits:
- Serve foods and snacks that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Emphasize fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Do not add salt when cooking and keep salt shakers off the table. Studies have shown that children born to parents with high blood pressure develop significantly higher blood pressure when they consume a higher intake of salt.
- Don't smoke, and discourage your children from starting.
- Encourage your children to exercise and participate in sports and other physical activities. The federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least an hour of exercise for children and teenagers each day.
- Limit your child's TV, computer and video game time.
- Check out your child's school vending machines and lunches. Let administrators know you strongly desire healthy food options to be offered.
- Advocate for quality physical education in school. Tell people you support programs, policy and environments that assist with increased physical activity.
- BAM! (Body and Mind) - Created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this Web site is aimed at children ages 9 to 13. Designed to be kid-friendly in an interactive way, the site features information on topics such as physical fitness and asthma. www.bam.gov
- Body Mass Index (BMI) for Children and Teens - From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this Web site provides information on measuring overweight in persons under 20 years of age. www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/bmi-for-age.htm
- Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports - www.michiganfitness.org
- VERB - This initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control encourages young people to get active and engaged with their family, friends and community in positive physical and pro-social activities. www.VERBparents.com