Family Matters

Dr. Meeker, a pediatrician, makes some important points about setting limits to help our children establish healthy eating habits. Talking to your children about healthy eating is more complex than Dr. Meeker seems to suggest. Our children seek our approval, and it is important that while we are setting these limits, we are careful not to make statements that could be perceived as overly harsh or critical. For more suggestions on how to address hunger with your child, see my recent post for the American Psychological Association's Your Mind Your Body Family Health blog at http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/hunger-and-your-child-whats-a-parent-to-do/

I saw a news report about a program that both brings fitness into the classroom and promotes awareness for the need of physical activity in the lives of children. Many kids today are not getting the amount of exercise they need and are also uneducated about the health risks of eating poorly. The campaign helps to reinvent recess by increasing students’ activity through alternative and creative movements, with the help of dance instructors.

The program initially was only implemented in Connecticut schools, but with its success and the overall concern of the issue at hand, it is now available to schools across the country. As part of the launch program, a video contest has been announced for children and young teens in grades 2-8 with efforts to address childhood obesity. I found this information on their site, www.recessrocks.com.