Health and Nutrition: An Introduction

The news is filled with stories about kids not getting enough exercise, eating too much junk food, and not getting enough sleep. And there’s all the scary news about kids’ medical problems—obesity, diabetes, and heart disease—that are linked to poor health habits. But you can do a lot in your family to counter these challenges, even if you don’t already have the best health habits. In fact, every one of us can do something every day to promote our own personal health and well-being, and that of our children. All we have to do to get started is focus on making small changes.

Did You Know?

• As kids get older, they tend to slip into poor health habits. While 35 percent of sixth-graders say it’s very much like them to take good care of their bodies (such as by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly), only 23 percent of twelfth-graders say this.
• Part of helping kids take care of themselves is showing them that it’s important. Unfortunately, only 30 percent of young people surveyed by Search Institute say their parents and other adults model positive, responsible behavior. Kids watch us in all areas of life, including our health habits.¹
• When Search Institute and America’s Promise asked how well young people are doing health-wise, they discovered that teenagers are faring worse than younger children. Only 36 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 experience healthy development. Only 49 percent of kids between the ages of 6 and 11 do.²

Creating healthy habits within your family can be a daunting task. Where do you start? Fortunately, by beginning with small steps, you can become a healthy family over time. Make it a point to have one healthy meal together each day. Start going for a walk every day when you get home from work or after dinner. Strive to get eight hours of sleep every night. Focus on the small, doable things, and you’ll be on your way to having a healthy family.