Family Health

Keeping your family healthy can be fun when you do the 2 together. It's important for both adults and kids to eat right and move more. Adults are very influential in teaching healthy habits to kids.

Eat Right

How can you get your kids and your family to eat right? It starts with you! Introduce them to new things, try new recipes and keep healthier foods in the house to encourage good habits. There are many ways to eat better, one step at a time.

  • Involve kids in the kitchen
  • Encourage them to try new things
  • Cut down on fat and sugar in family meals by using healthier substitutes
  • Plan snack times (mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon)
  • Provide healthy snacks such as yogurt, fruit or pretzels
  • Try to provide children with the right number of servings from each food group

Move More

When you set a good example by being active, your kids are sure to follow. Regular physical activity can bring immediate and long-term health benefits to both children and adults. When you teach good activity habits early, kids are more likely to remain active in adulthood. Remember, activity does not have to mean exercise, just get moving!

  • Ride bikes
  • Fly kites
  • Play catch
  • Go fishing
  • Play soccer
  • Go bowling
  • Walk the dog
  • Dance

Activities for Kids

Download these fun, educational books to help your kids learn about exercise and healthy eating through games and activities.

More Information

Healthier Diet of Young Children
This issue of the Pennington Nutrition Series provides details on the food pyramid for children 3 to 9 years old and gives cooking and snack ideas.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children
This issue of the Pennington Nutrition Series discusses the benefits of physical activity in children and suggests various ways to get them moving more.

Your Child's Health (large file)
This informative brochure contains both nutrition and activity information relevant to kids.

Smart Bodies
Smart Bodies is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the LSU AgCenter. This program works to prevent childhood obesity through hands-on classroom activities including the Body Walk. For more information, visit the Smart Bodies website.

Source: Pennington Biomedical Research Center