Healthy lifestyle changes
Families need to work together to make healthier lifestyle choice. Below are some lifestyle changes to try and incorporate into your daily lives and schedules:
- Begin to limit TV, video games and computer time. Work towards the goal of no more than one hour per day on a weekday and two hours per day on a weekend day.
- Have all family members help with household chores or other household responsibilties.
- Keep the TV and computers out of children's rooms.
- Do not eat meals or snacks in front of the TV.
Increasing individual and family activity levels
Children should have at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity every day. Do activities that are fun and that keep them moving continuously:
- Dancing to music
- Playing games like tag or hopscotch
- Playing at the park or in your back yard
- Playing on a sports team through your local park district or YMCA
- Using pedometers and making an activty challenge of who can walk the recommended 10,000 steps per day
Be a positive role model for your children
- Plan activities for the whole family — biking, doing chores, walking, swimming or playing at the playground.
- Encourage your child to participate in fun sports and games.
- Take family vacations or day trips that are centered around physical activities such as an amusement park, the beach or the zoo in which a lot of walking is required.
- Celebrate achievements and special days with fun activities that require movement and are not centered around food.
If you are concerned about your child's weight or nutrition...
- You can call 1.800.KIDS DOC (1.800.543.7362) or make an online request to schedule a consult at the Nutrition Evaluation Clinic.
- This is a multidisciplinary clinic that allows a physician, nutritionist, physical and or speech therapist, social worker and a child psycholigist to evaluate your child.
- The physical therapist will perform a screen of your child's strength, posture, flexibility and gait. She will also assist your family in ways to incorporate a healthier lifestyle.