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August 21, 2017Make the Back-to-School Season a Healthy One
Whether kids and parents love it or hate it, back-to-school season is upon us. While shopping for new clothes and school supplies, think about the healthy habits that can make the transition – and the school year itself – successful. Albany Medical Center and the American Heart Association have some tips.
• Set up a good routine. Think about how much sleep your child needs – it will definitely be more than eight hours. If your schedule has changed with the summer, see if you can start now to bring it back to suit the school hours.
• Pack healthy lunches. Avoid the sodium! Kids who eat a high-sodium diet are about 35% more likely to have elevated blood pressure than kids who don’t. Think about fresh fruits and veggies. Read food labels so you know your kids aren’t getting too much sodium Check out the Salty Six for Kids infographic.
• Make sure your children stay active! If your school doesn’t have a strong PE program, advocate for one. Keep an eye out for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs. When the family is together, go for a walk, a bike ride or head to the park for some fun activities.
• Make sure your child – and you! – have an annual check-up. It’s a good habit to start young.
“The start of another new school year marks the perfect opportunity for parents to instill healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits in their children – and for themselves,” said Carrin E. Schottler-Thal, M.D., a pediatrician with the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med and associate professor of pediatrics at Albany Medical College. “Families that make good health a priority as part of their back-to-school preparations set the tone for a positive school year.”
Here’s to a happy and healthy school year!
