How To

How to Raise Healthy Kids

Member
By StacyP
User-Submitted Article
(7 Ratings)

As parents, our children mean the world to us. We want them to enjoy the best lives possible. But, without health, how is a child supposed to enjoy life to its fullest? Child health should be a top priority for you as a parent. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. Do your kids a favor by making sure the tools for a healthy lifestyle are available to them. Read on to find out how to raise healthy kids free from childhood obesity.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    A good child health tip for nutrition is to 'eat to live, not live to eat'. What are you doing to ensure that your kids eat healthy? Nutritious foods not only give our children more energy and prevent childhood obesity, they also help prevent illness. So the next time you're planning a grocery list, help raise healthy kids by making sure the list contains plenty of nutrient-packed foods like vegetables and fruit. And don't forget to offer your kids healthy drink choices such as water and low-fat milk. Nutrition is so important for child health.

  2. Step 2

    Regular physical activity is another good child health tip for raising healthy kids who avoid childhood obesity. Exercise is important in illness prevention and to raise healthy kids. Besides that, studies have revealed that moderate exercise can increase child health by boosting mood and even fending off mild depression. Additionally, healthy kids who are athletes have been shown to have better self-esteem than non-athletes (especially females).

  3. Step 3

    A third key to child health is sleep. A lack of sleep is not healthy for kids and it puts your children at risk of illness. A proper night's rest is also important for physical growth and will assist in your quest to raise healthy kids. Furthermore, staying up too late can put a damper on your child's energy levels the next day, making exercise harder to accomplish and increasing the chances of childhood obesity. Sleep is important to child health. Raise healthy children by ensuring they get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.

Tips & Warnings
  • Include your child in the family meal planning. This will make it easier to incorporate healthier foods into your child's diet. See the Resources area for meal planning advice.
  • Support your child's healthier lifestyle by following the plan as well.
  • Do not obsess over your child's weight (or your own!). This may create low self-esteem and lead to a disordered eating problem, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binging.

Comments  

hopekee said

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on 11/17/2008 These are all so important! FIVE STARS!!

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on 11/16/2008 Very well put. Lack of sleep is so hard on kids. This is a must read for anyone with kiddos. *****

jimdris said

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on 11/16/2008 Three simple, clear and powerful steps!

klnygaard said

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on 11/16/2008 good info-thanks

Sondrac said

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on 11/15/2008 Very good advice. 5 stars!

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