Once you have kids, it can seem like the world is full of danger. Instead of constantly worrying about things you cannot control, follow these three smart ways to make your kids healthier. With a lot of work and a little luck, your kids will develop habits that give them healthy, happy lives.
Get Them Involved in Sports
Image via Flickr by Simon_sees
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 percent of children between six and 11 years old are obese. About 21 percent of those between ages 12 and 19 are obese.
This is a serious problem that puts children at risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
Encouraging children to get more exercise is one of the best things you can do to combat this trend. However, some kids aren’t motivated to exercise, which is understandable. It’s not like jogging is the most exciting activity in the world.
By getting kids involved in sports, though, you can often keep them motivated to keep exercising. The goal is to have fun and play with others, so the kids don’t get bored as easily. They also get encouragement from their coaches and peers.
It may take some time to find the right sport for your child. Explore popular options in your area to find one that interests you and your kids.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
If the air in your home is filled with allergens and pollutants, then your child will have a harder time getting exercise and avoiding illness. High levels of dust, for instance, can increase the risk of your child getting asthma. Smoke, pollen, and other types of pollution also have short-term and long-term risks.
Replacing your HVAC system’s filter once a month can considerably lower the amount of allergens in your home. You should also have a professional from Thermacon perform maintenance services on the system. A professional can replace damaged parts that make it difficult for your HVAC to remove pollutants from the air.
This is an easy thing to do, but it can have big consequences for your child’s health.
Limit Screen Time
Research shows that children between five and 16 years old spend about 6.5 hours per day looking at screens. This includes playing video games, watching TV, and using computers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should use screens no longer than two hours per day.
Using a screen isn’t inherently bad, but it tends to encourage bad habits. Children who watch a lot of TV, for instance, usually don’t get as much exercise as their peers. Those who play video games all day don’t develop the social skills they need to grow relationships.
Screens have become an essential part of life that children should learn about, but it’s smart to limit the amount of time your children spend using them.
These are just three relatively simple things that you can do to make your kids healthier. Use them as jumping off points so you can think of other ideas that fit into your family’s health goals.
