Get Involved
At Home
Tip: Kids need one hour or more of physical activity each day. It’s a simple guideline – and it can make a big difference in your child’s health and wellbeing.
Parents and guardians are key decision-makers when it comes to the nutrition, physical activity and health needs of their child. Each day, you can take advantage of the healthy choices around you and do little things that can affect your child’s health in a big way.
Take Action: Download Be Well: Messages from Moms on Living Healthier Lives, a book featuring smart tips from 15 moms who are creatively finding ways to fight childhood obesity in their homes and communities. bewellbook.org
At School
Tip: How healthy is your child’s school? The next time you visit ask if the school has a wellness council. Show that it’s important to you that the school is working to promote a healthy learning environment.
Schools are powerful places to shape the health, education and well-being of our children. That is why the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program supports more than 6,000 schools across the United States in their efforts to create environments where physical activity and healthy eating are accessible and encouraged.
Take Action: Anyone can make a difference by joining the Healthy Schools Program to find tools and strategies to promote physical activity and healthy eating before, during, and after school. healthiergeneration.org/schools
At the Doctor
Tip: Tell your child’s healthcare provider if there is a history of disease in your family – especially if it’s weight-related. If there is diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol in your family, your child might be at a higher risk when he or she grows up.
Until recently most healthcare professionals have been unable to work with families around the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity. That has changed with the launch of the Alliance Healthcare Initiative. The Alliance convened national medical associations, leading insurers and employers to offer comprehensive health benefits to children and families for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
Take Action: Find out if your employer or insurer provides the Alliance Healthcare Initiative. If not, you can still learn how to talk to your doctor about childhood obesity and tips on healthy eating, physical activity and how to parent to prevent obesity. healthiergeneration.org/healthcare
In the Community
Tip: Many kids list watching TV as their #1 after-school activity. Sometimes, they just need help coming up with other things to do. Check out local after-school programs in your area. Many have organized after-hours physical activities like dance classes, recreational sports or fun-walks for fundraising.
After-school programs, community centers, faith-based organizations, parks and recreation facilities, and dozens of other organizations play an essential role in encouraging youth to live healthier lives. Whether providing kids a place to play or facilitating a workshop on healthy eating, community champions across the country are collaborating with the Alliance to empower kids to make healthy behavior changes and to become advocates and leaders for healthy eating and physical activity.
Take Action: Encourage youth you know to get involved in their community and join the empowerME Movement! Young people can visit empowerme2b.org to make their commitment to eat healthier, moving more and learn how to team up with local community organizations to inspire their peers to lead healthier lives.
PROFILE
Parents are taking part in the campaign to create healthier school environments for their children.
