6 Healthy Habits for Kids

It's time for kids to head back to schoolrooms and while they're learning about reading, writing and arithmetic, it's also a perfect time for them to learn how to stay healthy by embracing some important and easy health habits. They're going to be exposed to large groups of children and between the peer pressure to be like the rest of the gang, and the germs that they all spread amongst themselves, health can be a tricky problem. Here are six easy things that every child can learn and that all families should embrace as sound health actions.

Start the day with a healthy breakfast
The body and brain need fuel to work at their best. Making sure kids eat a healthy breakfast before they walk out door to school is important. It will enhance their school performance and it will provide the energy they need to stay fit and active. Eating a breakfast of healthy grains and fruit is as easy as a bowl of whole grain cereal with a banana and a glass of juice. Eating breakfast helps guard against obesity.

Cut down on soda, sugar and fast food
We all know this, but it's still the worst villain in kids diets. The more sugary drinks, snacks and fast food consumed, he greater the risk for developing obesity says research from the Stanford University School of Medicine. Instead of soda, have skim milk and water. Start this habit young and don't let them acquire the bad habits. It's one of the easiest and best ways to maintain health.

Turn off any electronic device with a screen and limit their access to two hours a day
Recent research reports that 8 to 18 year olds spend 44 hours a week in front of a computer, television, or video game screen. This is a terrible habit to allow your child to acquire. Chase them outside. Go through the TV guide and let them choose 1 hour of tv a day. Same with their computer and video games. And set a good example yourself! Watch how they model your own screen activities. I would include text messaging and cell phones in this time. If your child needs a cell phone for maintaining contact with you, make sure they turn it off when they're home and put it up. No child needs to be in contact with a cell phone 24 hours a day!

Buckle up
It's easy to begin this habit when they're small and in car seats, but as teens begin to drive and ride with peers, the seat belts are getting left behind. Buckling a seat belt should just be accepted behavior, a habit that is constantly instilled in them. Wearing seat belts is a healthy habit.

Washing hands
Colds, stomach flu, ear infections and pink eye are four common ailments passed from hand to hand contact. Kids should be taught to wash their hands after blowing their noses, going to the bathroom and before eating. And with the H1N1 flu virus being predicted to be a killer of more young people than old this year, it's paramount that vigilant hand washing be practiced by all of us. Teach your child from toddler on to wash their hands frequently. Hand washing is a healthy habit!

Choose something active to do every day
Many children play in some form of organized sport and that's great, but with all the organized sports, kids are still more obese than our generation. Perhaps it's because of all that screen viewing and not enough just riding bikes, walking and playing yard games. Fit and strong children have far less chance of catching diseases like diabetes and also far less chance of being obese. It just makes sense. Each day, every member of a family should be engaged in some form of physical exercise. Do it together as a family and make health family living a priority for your child or teen.

Combine these six easy ongoing health habits with a nutritious diet, regular doctor visits and check-ups and eating dinner together as a family will result in healthier more active children who will do better in school and in life.
Resources

Personal experience

Standford School of Medicine

Wellpoint