Warren County Guide to Physical Activity

Fit For Life

                Obesity is a growing epidemic in our children today.  Children are much less physically active and are often eating unhealthy food throughout the day.  The best thing parents and grandparents can do is make good nutrition and exercise a family affair by planning lower fat meals, nutritious snacks and family fitness activities.

Tips to Help Your Children Stay Fit for Life 

• Variety is key.  Offer your child a large variety of healthy foods.  Your child will grow to enjoy them.

• Healthy snacks include fruits, raw veggies, yogurt, sugar free cereal and cheese.

• Limit TV for the whole family and don’t eat in front of the TV.

• Make time to participate with your child in exercise activities such as bicycle rides, walking or swimming.

• Encourage your child to participate on sports teams.  This not only promotes health and fitness but also allows them to make new friends and build self-esteem.

• Emphasize fun and fitness, not winning.

• Be a good role model for you child by supporting healthy habits for the entire family.

• Limit “chauffeuring” your child.  Adjust schedules so that your child has time to walk or bicycle to and from activities.

• Encourage your child to only eat when hungry.

• Don’t buy junk food.  One of the best ways to help your child eat healthy is to make sure junk food is not available to them.