Be a good role model - You don’t have to be perfect all the time, 
but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, 
they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good 
health is impor­tant to your family.

Keep things positive - Kid’s don’t like to hear what they can’t do, 
tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone 
likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and 
help children and teens develop a good self-image. 

Get the whole family moving - Plan times for everyone to get 
moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or 
just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the 
exercise and the time together.

Be realistic - Setting realistic goals and limits are key to adopting 
any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big 
difference in your health over time, so start small and build up.

Limit TV, video game and computer time - These habits lead to as
sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increase risks for 

obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours 
per day.

Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy - Every child 
is 
unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until 

they find something that they really love doing. They’ll stick with 
it longer if they love it.

Pick truly rewarding rewards - Don’t reward children with tv, 
video games, candy or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways 
to celebrate good behavior.

Make dinnertime a family time - When everyone sits down together 
to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or 
snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and 
planning meals. Everyone develops good eating habits together 
and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.

Make a game of reading food labels - The whole family will learn 
what’s good for their health and be more conscious of what they 
eat. It’s a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime.

Stay involved - Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on 
good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s 
healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators 
like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol.