Instilling healthy habits in teens

Eating well, exercising are lifelong wellness skills

For many years America’s health has been under the microscope. It has become clear that the United States has an obesity problem that some are even calling an epidemic. This issue has become clearer now that even toddlers are overweight.

This is why health officials are especially concerned about weight problems among children. Over the past three decades, the number of overweight children in the U.S. has tripled. In 2009, it was reported that nearly 14 percent of preschoolers were overweight; among children ages 6 to 11 – almost 20 percent; and among adolescents ages 12 to 19 – more than 17 percent. More than 20 percent of American children between the ages of 3 and 5 are believed to be either overweight or at risk of becoming so.

Because this has become such an epidemic, health educators want to make sure that our youth, from toddlers to teenagers, understands what healthful eating and exercise really mean. It is important for teens and children to recognize the difference between dieting and eating healthy. Children should not be focused on dieting, which can lead to overindulging later on in life. Creating healthy eating habits is the best way to avoid having to diet. Following dietary guidelines, provided by helpful resources, such as MyPlate (the current nutrition guide published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture), is a great way to learn what you should be eating and what you should be avoiding, as well as familiarize yourself with appropriate portion sizes. While dieting lasts only a short period of time, habits are usually formed for a lifetime.

The teenage years can be a time during which many start to notice their body growing and changing. As this happens, it is very important to take care of the body and fuel it with nutritious food, so that it may develop to its full potential. Whether you are an athlete, musician, avid reader or video game expert, your body needs healthy food to achieve top performance.

During the teenage years, being active is extremely important as well. Exercise and physical activity will help you to feel not only healthy, but also mentally sharp. It can relieve stress and prevent depression. Easy ways to stay active include playing outside. Besides, being physically active is fun!

It is much easier to create good habits than it is to change bad ones. This is the simple premise behind the Discover CATCH wellness program from the JCC Association. This program seeks to bring the gift of healthy habits to the youngest members of the community and their families. CATCH stands for Coordinated Approach to Childhood Health. Here, at the Jewish Alliance, we are hoping to bring the great ideas and values that drive this program to our youth. This program involves children from three years of age by teaching them healthy eating and exercise habits that they will carry throughout their lives. We have found that, while it is very important to teach and instill these skills in children at a young age, it is even more important to continue teaching them as the children age.

We are extremely excited to be taking steps that will instill healthy eating habits and exercise skills in our youth. Be on the lookout for more buzz about the Discover CATCH program at the Alliance and the wonderful ways we will be leading these teens to a healthier lifestyle.

ANGELA SULLIVAN is a Fitness Professional and Membership Concierge at the Jewish Alliance.