Fitness is a major part of healthiness, as too high or too low of a Body Mass Index (BMI) can cause numerous health issues. This is especially true for children, as the habits they cultivate in their youth will often carry over into adulthood.
Limit the Bad Stuff
Fitness involves staying active and eating right. In order to stay active, children should not spend all their time doing restful activities. Parents should limit how much time they watch television or play video games. It can become far too easy for children to simply lose hours doing either of these activities and not realize it.
It may help to set minimum outside hours, telling children they need to play at least a certain amount of time outside.
Unhealthy foods also need to be limited. Foods that are high in sugar or fat should be eaten conservatively and not at every meal. For children who help themselves to snacks or drinks, parents should make sure they are aware of how much sugary or fattening foods and drinks they are allowed each day.
Be careful about putting kids on strict diets though, as they can become oppressive to them. A little spontaneity can really help. It’s okay for kids to have a large dessert twice in one day, so long as it is not a regular occurrence. Generally though, kids should be fed healthy foods that they enjoy eating.
Make Exercise a Habit
Getting exercise doesn’t have to mean a visit to the gym or an aerobics workout. With kids, it’s usually enough to tell them to go outside and play, as long as there are several of them. Without prodding, they will engage in invigorating and beneficial activities like tag and climbing.
It is important for parents to get involved in their children’s playtime, especially if they only have a single child. Children playing by themselves are less likely to get the exercise they need. Playing with others stimulates their sense of immediacy and competition.
For parents who don’t have a yard large enough for their child to play in, it is important to get children to places they can run and play, such as parks, running tracks, basketball courts, and baseball fields.
Also, parents should take hikes with their children. While a few minutes of increased heart activity each day is enough to make a healthy cardiac muscle, extended forms of exercise build body muscles and allow children to become even more active and healthy.
Hikes can be taken in parks, along nature trails, through forests, or even down the street. It’s a good idea to walk places with your children when you have the time, as opposed to just driving everywhere. It’s excellent exercise for both you and your child.
These are just some of the great ways you can keep your children healthy. Making a habit of these practices can instill in your children an active lifestyle and a nutritious diet.