Healthy Kids Healthy Futures Coalition

Welcome to Healthy Kids Healthy Futures

What kind of future will your child have? Due to the alarming rise of childhood obesity rates, today’s children may be the first generation of Americans whose life expectancy will be shorter than that of their parents. Childhood obesity has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 20 years. It increases the chance your child will develop…
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Symptoms of early heart disease

The best way to have a healthy weight is prevention. Be sure your family practices healthy habits from the beginning. Provide healthy food choices and opportunities to move and have fun.

Three questions to ask your child's doctor

As the school year begins and you make the annual visit to the pediatrician, here are three questions to ask your doctor about your child's weight.

1.  “How is My Child’s Weight?”: Does your child need to lose weight, gain weight or maintain his or her current weight? Some kids will grow into their weight, and others may need to shed a few pounds.

2.  “What is My Child’s BMI?”: Many healthcare providers track BMI for their patients, but some don’t. Just ask your child’s healthcare provider.

3.  “How Often Should We Visit?”: Ask about follow-up appointments and more tests, as necessary. And find out how often your healthcare provider wants to measure your child’s BMI.
    
Providing Healthy School Lunches

School days are just around the corner and kids have an easier time with learning when they eat breakfast and a healthy lunch. Good nutrition is essential for your child to have a great day of learning.  School foods aren't always that healthy, but if you send a lunch with your kids, you know they are eating healthy foods. Click here to get some tips for packing healthy school lunches.

Must Knows on Milk

Many parents make these two mistakes when it comes to milk.
   

1.  Introducing cow's milk too soon - Seventeen percent of babies are getting milk before 12 months.  Cow's milk lacks iron, zinc, vitamin E and essential fatty acids that breast milk and formula contain.  And it can harm the kidneys of babies 6 months and younger.
   

2.  Sticking with whole milk too long - It is recommended that 12-24 month old children drink whole milk.  After the age of two though, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that all kids switch to fat-free or low-fat milk to reduce their saturated fat intake.

Proper Portion Sizes
Americans are living in a supersized world and adults and children are used to seeing big portion sizes when they go out to eat.  Portion sizes have increased over the past 20 years and we have begun to think they are normal servings.  In fact if a restaurant served a normal portion, you probably would never go back because you would think you hardly got any food. 
 

When you go out to eat, you almost always will get enough food for two people.  Begin to learn what normal portion sizes are and when going out take half home for another meal or share with another person.  Remember, bigger isn’t always better.  To learn about proper portion sizes click here.

Kids Eat Free

Kids Eat Free in Macomb County at http://www.macombcountykidseatfree.com/
                         

Pedometers Can Encourage Movement

Pedometers are an excellent way to measure how much you have moved in a day.  By counting steps, you can keep track of your daily activity.  Your whole family needs daily physical activity.  Pedometers can help both you and your child track your steps.  You can make a game of increasing physical activity by giving your child a pedometer and encouraging them to increase their daily steps.  There are about 2,000 steps in one mile.  To increase your steps, walk during lunch or to school or work.  Set up a chart and track the family's steps.  Take your dog for a walk.  Plan family free time with walks through the wood or around the mall in the winter time.  Pedometers can be purchased at sporting good stores and major retailers.  Check out the America on the Move website at www.americaonthemove.org to find resources to set step goals, keep a step log, and an order form for an inexpensive pedometer.