Today is national healthy weight and healthy look day!
In the healthcare field, we try to not have conversations centered on weight, instead have conversations based around healthy lifestyles. It’s common for children to have an increase weight gain during typical growth spurts or during early puberty. The best thing we can do to help our children, is talk about eating balanced diets and leading active lives. A “healthy weight” can look different on different people. We can set a body positive example for our kids. I know, personally, when I am dieting- I try to make sure my kids understand that I am trying to be more selective in eating food that fuel my body more appropriately. It’s based around the health and function of my body and not around how I physically look.
Some measures used by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
-Bone strength; 40% to 60% of adult bone mass is accrued during the adolescent years
Does the child get enough calcium and vitamin D and do enough weight bearing exercise
-Fruits and Veggies: half the plate should be full of these
1 cup of fruit & veggies when they are 2 to 3 years old
1 to 1 1/2 cups of fruit & veggies when they are 4 to 8 years old
1 1/2 cups of fruit when they are 9 to 13 years old
2 cups (girls) to 2 1/2 cups (boys) of vegetables when they are 9 to 13 years old
1 1/2 cups (girls) to 2 cups (boys) of fruit when they are 14 1o 18 years old 24
2 1/2 cups (girls) to 3 cups (boys) of vegetables when they are 14 to 18 years old
-Exercise
Kids need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day
Organized sports should not take the place of free play