How Parents Can Provide Good Nutrition And Promote Physical Activity At Home
by JoAnn Schneider RN
April 23, 2009
How Parents Can Provide Good Nutrition and Promote Physical Activity At Home
A growing number of children are inactive and do not eat well. The result is an alarming 16 percent of children and adolescents are overweight. In response to these statistics, Congress passed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. School districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and/or Special Milk Program are required to develop and implement school wellness policies that address student nutrition and physical activity issues.
What can parents do to help with nutrition education and healthy eating?
- Guide your child in learning about how to make healthy choices. Go through the school breakfast and lunch menus with your child and select healthy choices together.
- Go to the web site www.mypyramid.gov to learn about healthy eating.
- Offer fruits and or vegetables with every meal.
- Encourage your child to eat breakfast at home or at school every day.
- Be a role model. Drink milk at dinner, eat your vegetables and snack on fruit. If you do, so will your child.
- Send healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables, yogurt, low fat cheese or whole grain crackers for class parties. If it's their birthday and they want a sweet treat, send in mini cupcakes or treats.
What can a parent do to help with physical education?
- Encourage your child to be active during school physical activities and throughout the day.
- Limit screen time viewing ( television and video games ) to no more than two hours each day.
- Encourage your child to be active by participating in sports, dance, tumbling and other active programs they enjoy.
- Go for a walk, bike ride, swim, hike, play catch or fly a kite with your child.
- Enjoy being active with your child. If they see you enjoying it, chances are they will too!
