By Staff Reports
(Hawaii)– From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
The most important teachers for children are at home. Kids learn how to live by how parents live. And the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Dr. Griffin Rodgers, says that’s why it’s important for parents to set the right example on eating and being physically active.
Dr. Rodgers notes that childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. But he says parents can encourage kids to stay healthy:
“Set a good example with healthy eating and snacking. When your kids see you eating healthy snacks, they will learn to follow healthy habits.”
Similarly, he says, being physically active and taking the kids with you – maybe playing a game together, or just walking places – encourages kids to value being active, too.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.