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| Healthy Babies Kids & Teens |
Good nutrition and health for a child is vital. To prevent heart disease in adults, one
should start encouraging a healthy lifestyle in our children from a young age. We all
know how hard it is to stop smoking, to lose 5kg or to start a new exercise regime. By
encouraging an active lifestyle in our children, a love of all foods healthy and a
distaste for smoke and smoking, we will make it so much easier for them later in life.
Good nutrition and health for a child is vital. It can mean the difference between
achieving top of the class marks and not thriving academically. A healthy child
grows into a healthy adult and children that know how to live well will be able to
make the right choices for healthy lifestyles for the rest of their lives.
Our children are already at risk The Western culture has numerous effects on
children. Many children are physically inactive because they would rather watch
television, play computer games or surf the Internet than play outside or participate
in sports.
One of the main causes of obesity is lack of physical activity. Also, children are
tempted to eat more fast foods and 'junk' foods such as hamburgers, chips, pizzas,
crisps, chocolates, ice cream, fizzy cold drinks and sweets.
These foods are usually high in fat (particularly saturated and trans fat) and sugar,
which can both lead to obesity and increase their risk of heart disease. Additionally,
these foods tend to be low in fibre, micronutrients, and antioxidants, which are
dietary components that also affect the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Smoking
Only 30 minutes of exposure can damage a non-smoker's heart and increase the risk
of heart disease by 30%. Thus, parents should be careful not to smoke in the presence
of their children. Parents should also educate their children of the dangers of
smoking. The youth are starting to smoke at younger and younger ages
Family history
Children that have a strong family history of heart disease or have conditions such as
high cholesterol or diabetes are already at a high risk of developing heart disease.
Parents are also to blame
Parents, who have unhealthy eating habits, are inactive or are overweight have an
influence on the child's food preferences. When parents are busy and in a rush, they
often do not have time to cook or give their children attention, so they buy fast
foods as a quick alternative but also to compensate for the time that they are not
spending with the child.
What type of exercise is recommended? No specific type of activity is
recommended. Children should not only increase their physical activity but also
decrease the time they spend on sedentary activities such as watching television
and sitting at the computer. Children (5 years and older) should be moderately
active for a minimum of 30 minutes every day and do at least 30 minutes of vigorous
physical activities at least 3-4 days per week.
Healthy Eating at School
It is preferable to have home packed food, as the food available at school is often
fairly high in fat and sugar due to the use of processed foods by tuck shops or from
vending machines. Keep the tuck shop as an occasional treat or for when there has
not been enough time to pack a lunch. Try and teach your child to choose the
healthier options if they use the tuck shop i.e. baked rather than fried foods, water or
fruit juice rather than fizzy drinks, fruit or low fat yoghurt rather than chocolate. How
do overweight children lose weight?
The initial goal is to reduce the rate of weight gain with continued growth. An
integrated approach is recommended involving a healthy balanced diet, regular
physical activity, psychological support and behavioural changes. In cases of
excessive weight gain it is essential for the whole family to change their eating
habits.
Consult with a dietician to provide an eating plan that is appropriate for the child.
Role of parents in the development of healthy lifestyles:
Teach your child the principles of healthy eating. It will help them to make healthy
dietary choices for themselves as they grow up. Lead by example. Set a good
example by not smoking, eating healthily and doing regular physical exercise. Make
sure you always have healthy snacks available in your cupboard.
Involve your children in shopping, meal planning and cooking. Make meal times a
pleasant family occasion.
Heart Foundation This article was sponsored by: THE HEART FOUNDATION
should start encouraging a healthy lifestyle in our children from a young age. We all
know how hard it is to stop smoking, to lose 5kg or to start a new exercise regime. By
encouraging an active lifestyle in our children, a love of all foods healthy and a
distaste for smoke and smoking, we will make it so much easier for them later in life.
Good nutrition and health for a child is vital. It can mean the difference between
achieving top of the class marks and not thriving academically. A healthy child
grows into a healthy adult and children that know how to live well will be able to
make the right choices for healthy lifestyles for the rest of their lives.
Our children are already at risk The Western culture has numerous effects on
children. Many children are physically inactive because they would rather watch
television, play computer games or surf the Internet than play outside or participate
in sports.
One of the main causes of obesity is lack of physical activity. Also, children are
tempted to eat more fast foods and 'junk' foods such as hamburgers, chips, pizzas,
crisps, chocolates, ice cream, fizzy cold drinks and sweets.
These foods are usually high in fat (particularly saturated and trans fat) and sugar,
which can both lead to obesity and increase their risk of heart disease. Additionally,
these foods tend to be low in fibre, micronutrients, and antioxidants, which are
dietary components that also affect the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Smoking
Only 30 minutes of exposure can damage a non-smoker's heart and increase the risk
of heart disease by 30%. Thus, parents should be careful not to smoke in the presence
of their children. Parents should also educate their children of the dangers of
smoking. The youth are starting to smoke at younger and younger ages
Family history
Children that have a strong family history of heart disease or have conditions such as
high cholesterol or diabetes are already at a high risk of developing heart disease.
Parents are also to blame
Parents, who have unhealthy eating habits, are inactive or are overweight have an
influence on the child's food preferences. When parents are busy and in a rush, they
often do not have time to cook or give their children attention, so they buy fast
foods as a quick alternative but also to compensate for the time that they are not
spending with the child.
What type of exercise is recommended? No specific type of activity is
recommended. Children should not only increase their physical activity but also
decrease the time they spend on sedentary activities such as watching television
and sitting at the computer. Children (5 years and older) should be moderately
active for a minimum of 30 minutes every day and do at least 30 minutes of vigorous
physical activities at least 3-4 days per week.
Healthy Eating at School
It is preferable to have home packed food, as the food available at school is often
fairly high in fat and sugar due to the use of processed foods by tuck shops or from
vending machines. Keep the tuck shop as an occasional treat or for when there has
not been enough time to pack a lunch. Try and teach your child to choose the
healthier options if they use the tuck shop i.e. baked rather than fried foods, water or
fruit juice rather than fizzy drinks, fruit or low fat yoghurt rather than chocolate. How
do overweight children lose weight?
The initial goal is to reduce the rate of weight gain with continued growth. An
integrated approach is recommended involving a healthy balanced diet, regular
physical activity, psychological support and behavioural changes. In cases of
excessive weight gain it is essential for the whole family to change their eating
habits.
Consult with a dietician to provide an eating plan that is appropriate for the child.
Role of parents in the development of healthy lifestyles:
Teach your child the principles of healthy eating. It will help them to make healthy
dietary choices for themselves as they grow up. Lead by example. Set a good
example by not smoking, eating healthily and doing regular physical exercise. Make
sure you always have healthy snacks available in your cupboard.
Involve your children in shopping, meal planning and cooking. Make meal times a
pleasant family occasion.
Heart Foundation This article was sponsored by: THE HEART FOUNDATION