How To Be a Healthy Role Model for Your Children

Parents have a unique opportunity to influence the long-term health of their children by setting healthy living examples and encouraging healthy behaviors.  Teach your children healthy exercise and nutrition behaviors; you can make a tremendous impact on your child’s life! 

• Encourage your children to go outside and play with their neighborhood friends.
• Encourage your children to participate in physical education classes or extra-curricular activities at their school.
• Limit your child’s video games and television watching to less than two hours per day.
• Exercise with your children everyday!  Go for a bike ride, walk your dog, go in-line skating, or take them golfing.  Any physical activity you can do with your children is better than doing nothing.  You are getting exercise and spending quality time together all at the same time!
• Educate and demonstrate the principles of good nutrition.
• Only purchase healthy foods such as:  fruit, yogurt, vegetables, whole grains, unsweetened drinks, or nuts.
• Allow your children to help with the grocery shopping, as well as, planning and preparing your family’s meal.