School goes back next week and here’s a sobering statistic: 22 per cent of school-aged children in NSW are above a healthy weight, according to the Heart Foundation.
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Not surprisingly, they would like to see something done about it.
“Physical activity and healthy eating from an early age is important for heart health and for growing bodies as well,” says Kerry Doyle, Heart Foundation NSW’s Chief Executive. “These early influential years when kids are at school can have a real impact on their immediate and long-term health.”
So, in an effort to get children into better shape, the Heart Foundation have come up with six basic tips for parents that will make a difference. They are:
1: Have a back-up breakfast plan
Create a back-up healthy breakfast for when the morning isn’t going to plan of fast, inexpensive options such as fresh fruit; low fat unflavoured yoghurt; a handful of plain, unsalted nuts and/or seeds.
2: Get the $100 Active Kids rebate for each child
From 31 January 2018 the NSW Government will provide a $100 voucher to parents or guardians for registration and participation costs for children’s sport and fitness activities. Find out more: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/sectordevelopment/activekids.
3: Swap butter for margarine, avocado or hummus on sandwiches
Butter is around 50 per cent saturated fat – which is the unhealthy fat that raises our cholesterol levels and kids are currently eating more saturated fat than they should. Margarine, avocado or hummus all contain healthier fats.
4: Make it easier for kids to eat fruit at school
Rather than packing whole fruit in the lunchbox, try cutting it up – rubbing lemon juice on cut fruit stops it going brown so it still looks good when your kids go to eat it.
5: Try something new for the school drop-off
Walking, cycling, scooting or public transport to and from school can greatly increase the amount of physical activity children achieve across the day. If home is a large distance from school, part of the way is okay too.
6: Make drinking water fun
Try new ways to encourage kids to drink water by using fun water bottles that they’ll want to refill during the day.
There you have it. Nothing too complicated but it could make a world of difference.
