Adults Seeking to Instill Healthy Habits in Kids Should Walk Their Talk

Popular culture, television, movies, magazines, peer pressure, social networking sites and advertising worry grown-ups who want to raise healthy and happy kids. But the most powerful influence on whether or not kids embrace healthy habits comes from watching the grown-ups in their lives, not what's on screen or in tabloids.

What kids see at home, from the grown-ups in their lives, is much more powerful than what they're reading or watching online on TV. When it comes to being healthy, the unique thing about the home is not just the influence that grown-ups have on kids--and that kids have on grown-ups--but how the whole family influences the whole home. Many adults may be surprised at how much power the home environment has.

The family home is the single most important place that defines, creates and predicts a family's lifelong health and wellness.

In conjunction with Healthy Family Home, the YMCA of Clay County offers tips on ways grown-ups can walk what they are talking.

* One place to start is with a list of attributes an adults wishes for the child -- healthy eating habits, active lifestyle, positive relationships, self-esteem, respect, compassion, generosity, positive body image. All of these attributes can be modeled and reinforced by an engaged adult.

* Admit weaknesses and verbalize commitment to change. Kids respect grown-ups who are honest. For example, "I know I have not been eating very healthfully or exercising but I want our family to be healthy so I am going to do my best to make positive changes that I hope all of us can do together."

* Recognize that making positive choices is not selfish but rather a demonstration in self-nurturing that is essential to positive growth and emotional well-being. Take time for a favorite hobby or volunteer work and to be available to friends. Explain to kids why self-care is an important value and encourage them to have special interests and relationships that provide inspiration.

* Be visible. Kids need to witness grown-ups engaging in positive role modeling. Take a child along to a volunteer activity or community walk; involve kids in shopping for and preparing healthy foods; let them observe healthy conflict resolution.

In busy families, grown-ups sometimes "sacrifice" their own healthy behaviors in favor of doing what they believe is good for their kids -- taking them to swimming three days a week or to music lessons. But, they are missing an important part of the equation. It's great for kids to be active in athletics but they are much more likely to build lifelong healthy behaviors if they see that the grown-ups in their life are doing so.

The greatest gift a grown-up can give a child is to show him what being a healthy adult looks like. Show them healthy eating, activity, relationships take work and commitment but are ultimately attainable and undeniably worthwhile.