Are your kids eating their Vegies?

The results of the latest NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) have been released. There is some minor good news in the report. In NSW, at least it seems that maybe the obesity rates have not increased in this survey.

However, our kids are still eating to much junk food, not doing enough exercise, and basically just spending far too much time in front of the TV and playing to many computer games.

I know it is hard with our lives today – both parents working, trying to get the kids to school on time, get to work, get the family dinner, do the dishes, washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning, as we all know this list of chores is never ending. Trying to get our kids to organised sport as well seems almost impossible. As the reports states while schools were generally trying to encourage exercise, some reported that time constraints, a lack of wet weather facilities and lack of equipment were a problem.

We are learning, we cannot leave everything to the schools. We need to help with our kids activities as well. We need to think what is the most important. All those boring chores?  Or our children’s health?

We discussed last week in The obesity wave that it is never to late for our families to start to live a healthy lifestyle.

Get your kids into a kid’s activity – go for a walk in one of our many National Parks. Do anything just move and get you and your kids active.

The report's recommendations include specific guidance and support for parents of young children to promote healthy eating and exercise habits. It also calls on national regulations to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods to children to reduce their consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.

In summary, regulation and support for us parents is always helpful. However, it is clear what we should be doing for our children’s health:

1. Ensure our Children eat their  fruit and vegies
2. Exercise: It’s one of the great enjoyments of live
3. Stay away from junk food:  Save money - Seasonal fruit & vegies are generally cheaper
4. Kids  get away from the TV and computer games

So kids remind your Mum & Dad to get lots of fruit and vegetables for you and remember “Have Fun Kids”.