Healthy Kids Healthy Futures Coalition

Welcome to Healthy Kids Healthy Futures

What kind of future will your child have? Due to the alarming rise of childhood obesity rates, today’s children may be the first generation of Americans whose life expectancy will be shorter than that of their parents. Childhood obesity has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 20 years. It increases the chance your child will develop…
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Symptoms of early heart disease

The best way to have a healthy weight is prevention. Be sure your family practices healthy habits from the beginning. Provide healthy food choices and opportunities to move and have fun.
        

Proper Portion Sizes
Americans are living in a supersized world and adults and children are used to seeing big portion sizes when they go out to eat.  Portion sizes have increased over the past 20 years and we have begun to think they are normal servings.  In fact if a restaurant served a normal portion, you probably would never go back because you would think you hardly got any food. 
 

When you go out to eat, you almost always will get enough food for two people.  Begin to learn what normal portion sizes are and when going out take half home for another meal or share with another person.  Remember, bigger isn’t always better.  To learn about proper portion sizes click here.

Providing Healthy School Lunches

Kids have an easier time with learning when they eat breakfast and a healthy lunch. Good nutrition is essential for your child to have a great day of learning.  School foods aren't always that healthy, but if you send a lunch with your kids, you know they are eating healthy foods. Click here to get some tips for packing healthy school lunches.

Kids Eat Free

Kids Eat Free in Macomb County at http://www.macombcountykidseatfree.com/
                      

Pedometers Can Encourage Movement

Pedometers are an excellent way to measure how much you have moved in a day.  By counting steps, you can keep track of your daily activity.  Your whole family needs daily physical activity.  Pedometers can help both you and your child track your steps.  You can make a game of increasing physical activity by giving your child a pedometer and encouraging them to increase their daily steps.  There are about 2,000 steps in one mile.  To increase your steps, walk during lunch or to school or work.  Set up a chart and track the family's steps.  Take your dog for a walk.  Plan family free time with walks through the wood or around the mall in the winter time.  Pedometers can be purchased at sporting good stores and major retailers.  Check out the America on the Move website at www.americaonthemove.org to find resources to set step goals, keep a step log, and an order form for an inexpensive pedometer.