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| Children's Health |
Did you
know that the influence you have on your children shapes their behaviour and a
great deal of the feelings they will have even when they grow up? This involves
physical activity and healthy habits in general.
You are obviously surprise to learn that parents outrank sports
celebrities as the number one person their child "would like to be most.”
Keep on
reading to learn how to help your children develop healthy habits by being a
great role model.
Embrace the Concept
of Family
Children who grow up in a healthy family environment value both physical and mental health and vice versa. Family patterns that seem most health-oriented include flexible parenting, family closeness, prioritizing health and mind-stimulating activities. Family-oriented children care and love others, including themselves and their health.
The bible frames it more accurately; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Promote a Healthy Mindset Around Food and Fitness
Ensure that
there is a balance and openness when it comes to food, mealtimes, cravings,
etc. Teach them about nutrition and include them in meal planning, shopping and
preparation. This helps them see food beyond just the taste. Do the same for exercise.
Help your kids to know that healthy food and fitness are the foundation of wellbeing
as long as they are alive.
Keep Foods Neutral
Avoid the
habit of giving any kind of food to your child as a reward. Also, don't forbid certain
foods. If you use food as a reward, for example, offering your child a cookie because
he/she completed homework on time, that can cause the kid to develop an
unhealthy relationship with food. The child may mentally tag that food as
special, fantasize about it and end up addicted to the food when they can access
it easily.
Also, labeling
any foods as "bad" is likely to increase your child's desire for it. Moreover,
it’s better to systemically make those “bad” foods unavailable at home if
possible and educate your children without exerting EXCESSIVE control over their
food habits else it can push their desire towards the food and result in the
risk of overweight in them.
As a parent,
you should know that children’s appetites fluctuate as they grow. So, if they are
full, avoid pushing them to empty their plate even if it’s veggies. The
surprising thing is that such rules instead condition your kids to have negative
associations with certain foods and mealtimes in general.
Plan Regular Family
Activities and Make Them Fun
The
drawbacks of forceful tactics are equally applicable to harsh rules around
exercise. Children perceive exercise as nothing but fun. If otherwise, they may
hate it and end up exercising less even as adults. You can also encourage them to
take up an after-school sport if possible.
Besides,
make it a fun family affair by taking them out for park walks, jogging, inline
skating or playing catch. Incorporate fun into it by counting the times the dog
stops or the number of squirrels or rabbits the dog sees.
Research supports
the concept that healthy parental behaviour can have a positive health effect on
children's mental, psychological, bahavioural and physical health and development,
especially in their early years. Therefore, inculcate healthy habits in your
children and they will value them even when they become adults. The bible
frames it more accurately; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
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