Healthy Bodies

Or parents can teach some ways to stay healthy such as not sharing forks, spoons, or glasses, and covering our nose and mouth when we sneeze or cough. There are many fine cookbooks with simple healthy recipes that parents and children can try together. The book Everyone Cooks Rice by N. Dooley not only may provide a shared experience, but conveys positive images of other cultures to children. A pictorial food pyramid can hang on the refrigerator as a reminder of foods that children should sample often and others that we save for special occasions because, although they may be pleasant to eat, they don’t help us grow well, strong, and healthy. The new MyPyramid for Kids says “Fats and sugars—know your limits.” Parents may give children a role in planning a weekly menu.

Because of the concern about childhood obesity, in 2005 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created new dietary guidelines to provide more practical advice on how parents can give their children a healthy, balanced diet. The new guidelines include 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. Parents can participate with their children for a healthier family.

A regular trip to the food store will allow children to pick from the various food groups. For older children, bags may be labeled ahead so that children can select the foods themselves and place them into the containers. Within a food group, there are always favorites.

Finally, families can encourage children to feel good about their bodies and body image. Children’s growth may be charted on an unobtrusive wall or chart paper. Parents can and should encourage their children to view themselves and their feelings in a positive light.