Miss Northwest urges: Strengthen the heart of America
Oh, for the freedoms of youth. Hopes are high, their entire lives before them, and their potential — limitless. Empowered by slogans chanting “dream big!” “Anything is possible!” and “The sky’s the limit!” it is no wonder adolescents carry an invincible outlook on life.
We reinforce this mind-set, as youth are proverbially fed the privilege of eating whatever and however much they want with the reminder to “enjoy it while you’re young!” But as national statistics are increasingly finding, this exemption from dietary limitations is becoming obsolete. Currently, more than one third of children and adolescents are overweight, with national estimates suggesting 90 percent possessing at least one strong risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease, our nation’s No. 1 killer of both men and women, already burdens our fragile economy with a cost of $273 billion every year. By 2030, these numbers are expected to triple to more than $800 billion. The extent to which health care costs, unemployment, and poverty rates will be negatively impacted remains unpredictable and foreboding.
In the face of such a bleak outlook, promises and dreams anticipated by our youth are dimmed. At first glance, these statistics leave our hearts troubled over the fate of our beating ones, as well as those of the coming generations. But prediction does not mean predestination.
Today’s parents and grandparents have an influential hand in shaping the future through the promotion of their children’s health. We all know that diet and exercise are foundational to building good heart health, but how do we instill these values in our kids? Where do we even begin?
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, committed to overcoming the projected odds, has broken this down into some simple guidelines, useful when talking to your kids about choosing, practicing, and living healthy lives.
• It’s not about weight: Weight is just one indicator of health and often an extremely sensitive subject for kids. Emphasize how important it is to eat right and be physically active instead of just losing pounds.
• Set food or activity goals: For example, stick to a plan to only have dessert twice a week or to walk 30 minutes after dinner every day, not to lose a certain number of pounds.
• Talk to your health care provider: They are a great resource when talking with your child about their weight. You can work with the doctor, a nurse or dietitian to help start the conversation.
• Make it positive: Getting healthy is something to be excited about — it shouldn’t seem like a punishment. Talk about how fun it will be for everyone in the family to get active and try new, healthy foods.
• Kids are goal driven: Physical activity will improve their performance in sports, making them run faster or swing a bat harder. Kids want to feel good: Eating healthy will give them more energy and improve their concentration in school, promoting a healthier self-image.
• Keep it social: Physical activity can be a great way to make new friends. Kids are more likely to stick with an activity if friends are involved. Encourage your kids to invite friends for active play-dates, such as bike riding and touch football games.
• Treat “diet” like a four-letter word: Adults don’t stick to diets, so why would kids? Teaching your children to eat and drink in moderation (including an occasional treat) will ensure they get the balanced meals they need.
• Food is not a reward: Saying you can have ice cream after you finish your carrots makes eating carrots a chore and ice cream the reward — the exact opposite effect you were going for.
• Just say no to exercise. Don’t present being physically active as exercise — kids may interpret that as a punishment. Encourage everyone in your family to try different activities and find one that suits everyone. Keep it fun!
• Take baby steps: Just like kids learn how to walk slowly, that’s how they should learn new habits. Don’t expect dramatic change instantly.
By setting small goals, making gradual changes and discussing health in a manageable way, your kids will begin the journey towards a lifetime of healthy habits.
Tips obtained from the website for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. For more information visit www.healthiergeneration.org.