Things You'll Need:
- pedometer
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Step 1
Parents should plan daily physical activities for the entire family. Experts at Wellspring, the leading provider of effective, scientifically based treatment for obese and overweight adolescents and young adults recommend 10,000 steps each day and using a pedometer to track your activity. Using a pedometer is beneficial because you can participate in many different sports and activities and know if you are meeting your minimum activity requirements each day.
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Step 2
Activities can include a daily walk around the neighborhood after school / work, walking the dog in the morning, a family game of basketball or baseball, or even just throwing a ball back and forth in the front yard. Anything a family can do together that requires taking steps can be beneficial. The important thing is that activity is tracked and that 10,000 steps are completed each day, even when you don't feel like it.
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Step 3
Parents can role model healthy lifestyles for their children by involving them with each step of the food preparation process. For example parents can involve their children in planning healthy, well balanced meals. Going to the grocery store with your child can be an educational opportunity if you ask your child to read the food labels and choose foods with the lowest level of calories and fat. Avoiding impulse buys and sticking to planned meals can role model self control and the importance of a low calorie, low fat lifestyle for your kids.
