With the rising concern of obesity in children and adults today, it is very important for parents to take time to stop and evaluate the lifestyle habits
in which they live. Many people may have no idea that they are living an unhealthy lifestyle until they take the time to stop and assess what activities they carry out
and what food they eat consistently every day. It is of high importance to recognise that the lifestyle habits that children undertake are those that are lead by their
parents. The environment in which the family lives will determine the habits of each child and individual within the family. For example is play encouraged after school
or are the kids inside watching TV, is an afternoon snack a piece of fruit or a packet of chips. These are some of the questions a parent needs to ask themselves in
regards to is my family healthy and active.
If children are raised with healthy options they will lead a healthier lifestyle.
The habits in which a child develops is something that they are going to have for life. For instance do you butter your bread? Why? Is it something you
just did when growing up, did your parents butter your bread and now you are doing the same? Interesting! So this is just a very small example of a habit but does this
kind of unconscious unhealthy habit need to be past down to your kids? Did you know butter on 2 slices of bread a day is equal to 25,000 calories per year. If this is
not introduced into your child's daily diet, how will they know any different. But what would I use as a spread? Try avocado or low fat cottage cheese.
Like the saying - like mother like daughter, like father like son. Changing your child's habits are not as hard as it seems, children will eat the same
meals that you eat, so start making your food choices healthier. Educate your children on healthy food choices at home and they will eventually know what are healthy
foods and what are not.
Here are 5 Simple Steps towards a healthy family, to assist your family in leading a healthy lifestyle.
1. LIMIT TELEVISION
• Limit the TV time to less than 2 hours per day. Also incorporate a TV free day where you can allocate 1 day per week where the TV does not get
turned on.
• A remote control free household. Yes... even getting up to change the channels will burn more calories than sitting down.
2. WHERE TO EAT
• Avoid eating food in front of the TV, when reading or on the computer.
• Have specific dinning areas to eat meals away from the TV or any distractions. For example the only place food can be eaten in the house, is on
the kitchen bench or dining area.
3. SMALLER PORTIONS
• Use smaller plates at home when serving up food, most people serve up food the size of the plate.
• If children want seconds let them wait a few minutes then ask them again.
4. GET ACTIVE
• Instead of directing your child "You need to go for a walk", suggest to them "Why don't we go for a walk together?" This will
increase their motivation and provide a bonding time between parent and child.
• Make one day a week an active family day such as Sunday. Let each family member take turns to choose what activity they would like to do eg.
soccer at the park, hire a tennis court, riding bikes, swimming at the beach.
5. EAT BREAKFAST
• Make it a standard rule no one in the family can walk out the door without having breakfast.
• There isn't enough time to eat. Grab a muesli bar, bottle of water and a piece of fruit to eat on the way to school.
Remember it is the environment in which you live which will determine the lifestyle your child will live. What changes will you implement to assist your
family in living a healthy lifestyle?
Richard & Joey Marc the family health & Wellness duo created Marc Wellness International with the ambition to reach as many families world wide
as possible with the aim of educating families on the importance of living a vibrant, fun, healthy life. Authors of their book Please Mum Don't Supersize Me which has
created a huge media spotlight. Richard & Joey have they been featured on TV, radio and magazines.