The health and fitness of your family is something every parent should take seriously. Introducing some of the following ideas could help you to improve their lifestyle to improve their immediate and long-term health.

1. One solution is to start using healthy family recipes, which can be found in family publications online and in print. There’s nothing wrong with comfort food, but everything should be in moderation.

2. If your family has a family limited palate, you may want to introduce new, healthier foods to their diet. Encourage them to try a new vegetable every so often to expand their dietary horizon.

3. We’re all guilty of snacking, so you may want to improve family health by buying in healthier alternatives to chocolates and sweets.

4. Another solution may be to introduce your children to sport. If they aren’t interested in the more popular pursuits, something like Karate or Ballet may be an option.

5. Whatever exercise your children pick up, particularly sport, make sure you lend them your full support. From taking them to practice to cheering them on (if appropriate), this will provide the encouragement they need to succeed.

6. If walking to school is an option, then make sure you take it. If your children are too young to walk with friends, why don’t you walk with them?

7. One of the best forms of exercise we can get is swimming and it’s something the whole family can enjoy. Why not take your brood along to the nearest leisure centre? Continue reading »

 

The basic unit of structure and function in society is the family. Within the embrace of the family, individuals are nurtured, develop identity and form values and beliefs that will become the basis of their actions and decisions later on in life. Social skills as well as lessons about health and wellness all start with the family. They are also an individual’s primary means of support during personal upheavals and major setbacks in the life of an individual. Family health plays a large role in a person’s state of physical and mental health. Wright and Leahey (2000) outline the five functions of family that promote the health of both the individual and the family. These are:

1) management,
2) boundary setting,
3) communication,
4) education and support and
5) socialization.

Adults assume the responsibility of allocating resources and setting rules as well as planning for the future. The role of adults and children in the family are determined by boundary setting. Meaningful communication is a mark of healthy families. Precise, honest and meaningful communication is crucial to family health. A physically, emotionally and socially healthy life is developed through education while manifesting love and affection is the hallmark of cohesive family support among its members. Socialization is the family’s function of transmitting culture and acceptable behaviors and norms that an individual needs to function and integrate well into the world. Continue reading »

 

It’s easy to lose focus of our own fitness as we get older, but the influence we have on our children should not be overlooked. If you have a lazy lifestyle, it’s highly likely that your children will follow suit. So if you’re concerned about the health and fitness of your children, it may take a joint effort to turn things around. Here are 10 ways to improve family health.

1. Weekend bike rides can be a great way of getting some excellent exercise together. Not only is this a lot of fun, it also represents a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your children.

2. There are an increasing number of family gyms cropping up that offer lots of fun and games for people of all ages – both adults and children. You can do grown-up routines, while your children enjoy classes that focus on fun, as well as health.

3. One of the best exercises children (and adults, for that matter) can get is swimming. It affects many muscles and provides a fantastic cardiovascular work-out. It can also be lots of fun and a useful skill for later in life. There’s a reason why so many people swim while on holiday – it’s enjoyable!

4. Introducing your child to new sports can be a great way to improve their fitness. If it’s something you know how to play, then you can practice together and get the exercise that benefits you both. If they’re joining a team, maybe you can offer to help out on the coaching side.

5. Although more relaxed, gardening can be a great way to spend more time outdoors and it does involve physical movement that’s good for you. Many children love to get involved, whether it’s planting seeds or watering flowers. Continue reading »

© 2012 Global Health Education