Obesity rates have more than doubled among children and quadrupled in adolescents over the last 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With nearly one-third of all children and teens in the United States overweight or obese, this serious health issue  increases risk for additional health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and asthma.

You can help fight these health risks by introducing a healthy lifestyle to your children’s daily lives today:

1. Eat Healthy

• Shop smart at the grocery store and avoid bringing home salty, fried, or packaged foods.
• Visit a local farmer’s market for fresh fruits and vegetables, and support community agriculture.
• Lead by example – Try healthy new recipes during family meals.
• Create a daily food plan online.

2. Increase Physical Activity

• Children need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
• Limit the use of electronic devices to two hours per day and play outside at one of the Department of Conversation and Recreation (DCR)’s local playgrounds, swimming pools, or MassParks.
• Make sure children get enough sleep to ensure they have the energy to play.

3. Form Good Habits at School

• Send children to school with healthy snacks and beverages that meet Massachusetts nutrition standards.
• Get involved with MA Children at Play, a program that encourages physical activity at child care facilities, to help students get exercise throughout the day.
• Share school physical activity resources in your community to keep kids active.

4. Establish a Healthy BMI

• Body Mass Index (BMI) helps measure body fat and health status. A healthy weight for children and adolescents typically fall between the 5^th and 85^th percentile. Visit your pediatrician (or family doctor) to have your child’s BMI measured.
• You can also calculate your child’s BMI at home.

Help curb childhood obesity by adopting a healthy lifestyle for you and your family today. You can find more information at Mass in Motion or Let’s Move.

How do you promote healthy habits with your children? Tell us by commenting below or tweeting @MassGov. 

Tags: BMI, childhood obesity, exercise, fitness, food and drink, health, Healthy Eating, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, mass in motion, nutrition, nutrition standards, obesity