-
Involve
the whole family in healthy eating and activity.
-
Be
consistent and patient.
-
Encourage active play and activities that provide the opportunity to
move above resting levels.
-
Limit
inactive time, such as television, to no more than two hours per day.
-
Find
opportunities for your child to be active for a minimum of 60 minutes
per day.
-
Families
should organize activity together on a weekly basis.
-
Help
your child learn when they are feeling hungry or full.
-
Limit
sweet and high fat foods and drinks.
-
Water is
the best drink.
-
Help
your child recognize if he or she eats when bored, sad or lonely. Try to
suggest another activity to help distract them.
-
Encourage slow, enjoyable eating.
-
Find fun
ways to reward your child and family, without using food.
Is
television a problem?
Watching too much television is often linked closely with overweight in
children. Inactive behavior is not just watching television, it also
includes playing electronic games, sitting for long periods of time in
transit, long sleep-ins and extended phone calls. When children watch
television they are not being active and are more likely to see food
advertisements that encourage them to eat regardless of hunger.
For more
information, check
www.heart.org on healthy lifestyle tips.
This
message is brought to you as part of the “Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies”
educational campaign sponsored by Beatrice Community Hospital Gage County
PATCH.. For further information and resources, contact Sharon Langvardt,
MS, LIMHP, CMFT, Blue Valley Behavioral Health and Beatrice Hospital PATCH
coordinator (402) 228-3386 or
slangvardt@bvbh.net or
slangvardt@bchhc.org. |
