Healthy eating habits and physical activity are important aspects of your child’s day. Eating too much and exercising too little can lead to weight gain and related health problems that may affect a child into his/her adult years. Take this true/false quiz with eight questions to see how much you know about a child’s healthy lifestyle. After each question, you will find out if your answer is correct or incorrect. Information regarding ways to encourage development of healthy eating habits and physical activity will be provided.

Fewer than 10 percent of children and teens are overweight or obese.

Correct.

Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that over 17 percent of US children and teens from the ages of two to nineteen are considered overweight. The number of overweight children and teens has steadily increased since the 1970’s.Obesity continues to be a major health issue and overweight adolescents are at greater risk of becoming obese as they enter adulthood. Because children grow at different rates at different times, it may be difficult to tell whether or not a child is overweight. Your child’s physician can measure your child’s height and weight and tell you if the measurements are within a healthy range.

Incorrect.

Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that over 17 percent of US children and teens from the ages of two to nineteen are considered overweight. The number of overweight children and teens has steadily increased since the 1970’s.Obesity continues to be a major health issue and overweight adolescents are at greater risk of becoming obese as they enter adulthood. Because children grow at different rates at different times, it may be difficult to tell whether or not a child is overweight. Your child’s physician can measure your child’s height and weight and tell you if the measurements are within a healthy range.

Children and teens should be encouraged to stay on diets to maintain normal weight.

Correct.

Parents should think healthy habits, not diets, when helping a child maintain a healthy weight. Parents can serve more fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), and avoid buying soft drinks, sugary foods, and high fat/high calorie snack foods like chips, cookies, and candy. If these foods are not available at home, children will be less likely to ask for them. Try to provide several healthy snack choices for children. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast has been shown to improve alertness and motivation in children.

Incorrect.

Parents should think healthy habits, not diets, when helping a child maintain a healthy weight. Parents can serve more fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), and avoid buying soft drinks, sugary foods, and high fat/high calorie snack foods like chips, cookies, and candy. If these foods are not available at home, children will be less likely to ask for them. Try to provide several healthy snack choices for children. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast has been shown to improve alertness and motivation in children.

The Food Guide Pyramid developed by national health officials is a guide to help with food choices for adults only.

Correct.

The traditional Food Guide Pyramid developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be followed by anyone over the age of six. In addition, the USDA and HHS have prepared a Food Guide Pyramid for children ages two to six years. The Food Guide Pyramid should be used to help parents and children with their daily food choices.

Incorrect.

The traditional Food Guide Pyramid developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be followed by anyone over the age of six. In addition, the USDA and HHS have prepared a Food Guide Pyramid for children ages two to six years. The Food Guide Pyramid should be used to help parents and children with their daily food choices.

Serving sizes for food should be adjusted for the younger child.

Correct.

A parent should not expect a child to eat the same serving size as an adult. Over-sized portions often contribute to weight gain. Also, a young child may not need as many servings at a meal as a teenager might need. Remember, eating three balanced meals each day is advised. Because very young children don’t eat a lot all at once, they may need to eat smaller portions more frequently during the day.

Incorrect.

A parent should not expect a child to eat the same serving size as an adult. Over-sized portions often contribute to weight gain. Also, a young child may not need as many servings at a meal as a teenager might need. Remember, eating three balanced meals each day is advised. Because very young children don’t eat a lot all at once, they may need to eat smaller portions more frequently during the day.

More than one-third of young people in grades nine through 12 do not regularly engage in moderate-intensity physical activity.

Correct.

Health experts find that young people are not getting enough exercise, but with even moderate-intensity physical activity they may improve their health and well-being. Moderate-intensity activity is equal to 2 miles in 30 minutes or running 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. Bicycling for 5 miles in 30 minutes or dancing fast for 30 minutes are also moderate-intensity workouts.

Incorrect.

Health experts find that young people are not getting enough exercise, but with even moderate-intensity physical activity they may improve their health and well-being. Moderate-intensity activity is equal to 2 miles in 30 minutes or running 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. Bicycling for 5 miles in 30 minutes or dancing fast for 30 minutes are also moderate-intensity workouts.

Most likely, a child may improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels with exercise.

Correct.

Even children can promote healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure with exercise. In addition, exercise can help improve strength and endurance, help build healthy bones and muscles, reduce stress, and control weight. Exercise can help prevent future health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes.

Incorrect.

Even children can promote healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure with exercise. In addition, exercise can help improve strength and endurance, help build healthy bones and muscles, reduce stress, and control weight. Exercise can help prevent future health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes.

Health experts say that children over the age of six benefit from low-to-moderate physical activities for as little as 30 minutes each day, from four- to six-times each week.

Correct.

This type of exercise, such as playing ball or tag, is very beneficial. However, experts recommend 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity or play all or most days of the week. A vigorous workout includes activities such as swimming laps, hiking, skateboarding, rollerblading, playing basketball, and mowing the lawn. Aerobic exercises are best for improving fitness of the heart and lungs, and for preventing heart disease.

Incorrect.

This type of exercise, such as playing ball or tag, is very beneficial. However, experts recommend 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity or play all or most days of the week. A vigorous workout includes activities such as swimming laps, hiking, skateboarding, rollerblading, playing basketball, and mowing the lawn. Aerobic exercises are best for improving fitness of the heart and lungs, and for preventing heart disease.

A child will gain a greater sense of well-being and higher self-esteem when exercise is part of his/her daily life.

Correct.

Experts say children have improved psychological well-being, such as increased self-confidence and higher self-esteem, with a regular exercise program. Reports on healthy lifestyles show the positive effects daily physical activity has on student academic achievement in terms of memory, observation, problem-solving and decision-making, as well as significant improvements in attitudes, discipline, behaviors, and creativity.

Incorrect.

Experts say children have improved psychological well-being, such as increased self-confidence and higher self-esteem, with a regular exercise program. Reports on healthy lifestyles show the positive effects daily physical activity has on student academic achievement in terms of memory, observation, problem-solving and decision-making, as well as significant improvements in attitudes, discipline, behaviors, and creativity.

You answered out of 8 questions correctly.

Remember, that every child can maintain a healthy lifestyle tailored to their needs:

• Parents who eat right and stay active promote a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.
  
• Make lifestyle changes gradually. Prepare lower fat, lower calorie meals that are appealing.
  
• Encourage children to participate in physical activity such as taking family walks to the park, playing outdoors, or participating in team sports.
  
• Find ways to select healthy fare from fast-food restaurants or when dining out.
  
• Listen to your child’s concerns about his/her weight. Overweight children usually recognize that they have a weight problem. Parents need to provide support, acceptance, and encouragement to overweight children.

Consult your child’s physician for more information and regular checkups.