7 November 2008 09:12 AM

Establishing Healthy Routines for Children

by Dr. Rick

This week, WebMD wrote an article on a disturbing study from the journal, Pediatrics (November 2008). The study reports sharp increases in the number of children taking medications for conditions we usually think of as adult diseases.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes medications are linked to what experts call a national epidemic of childhood obesity.  In addition, drugs for asthma, antidepressants and ADD/ADHD are also way up.

 

What’s going on?  Are our kids that unhealthy?  If so, how did that happen?  Childhood obesity is a condition we can control much more than we’ve apparently done.  Support for physical education is a good place to start.  We hear from all over the country that phys ed – indeed, even recess, for heaven’s sake – has been cut way back in order to give extra test preparation time to students getting ready for mandated exams. 

 

But is there more going on than just a lack of recess time?

 

Research and our own good common sense tell us that kids need to expend energy, that their growing bodies require movement and calorie-burning exercise, that they need adults as role models for the importance of exercise, and that they need us to advocate for them when schools – for any number of well-intentioned reasons – deny them the opportunities for daily vigorous play.

 

What can we do?  Here are some ideas.

 

  1. Establish healthy routines.  Children appreciate and need the safety, structure, and reliability routines give them.  Specify times for TV viewing (ideally as a family), and at other times, turn the blasted thing off.  Specify times for homework and studying.  Periodically, invite study buddies over for studying before tests.  Have specified times for outdoor play.  Invite friends over for sports and other activities that provide plenty of exercise and fun.  Don’t worry about “over scheduling” your children.  You’ll know if you’re overdoing it. 
  2. Be a role model.  We’re the adults, and adults have great sway over what kids learn, value, and do.  Show your kids that exercise, vitality, and good health habits are important to you.  Just as you’re a good role model for reading, writing, and math habits (several of my previous blogs have dealt with this subject), let your kids see you eating healthily, exercising regularly, and staying away from bad habits – smoking comes to mind – that we know kids are curious about.  Talk to them about why you make the choices you do.  Tell them about your favorite pastimes, sports, childhood activities.  Help them establish good attitudes.  They listen.  Really.
  3. Stay firm.  Sometimes, it’ll feel like an uphill battle.  You may hear, “The other kids get to watch TV whenever they want.  The other kids get to play video games instead of going outside.  The other parents have lots of sugary snacks for their kids to munch on.  Why do we have to be so different?”  You don’t have to be Cruella DeVille, but stick to your guns, at least most of the time. 
  4. Stay positive.  You know you’re right.  You know your kids will be better off if their habits, exercise, and diets are healthy.  Try to make healthy habits as much fun as possible, and, before you know it, your kids will accept them and find something else to bug you about.
  5. Work with the schools.  Schools are under enormous pressure to do well on mandated exams.  You want them to do well, too, of course.  Support them in their efforts, but also remind them, if they need reminding, that kids do better in their studies if they have adequate opportunities to expend the natural energies of youth.  That means regular recess periods, physical education, and health education.

What works for you?  What do you do to teach your kids healthy habits, to keep them physically active, and to combat their pleas for more TV?  We’d love to hear from you.  Share your stories.

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Education News | Opinion

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