By Wanda Repke
Special to the Record-Eagle
April 30, 2008 04:00 am The earlier children begin to practice healthy lifestyle habits, the longer they are likely to use them. Current statistics on the health challenges that face youth indicate the need to educate children about the importance of making healthy food choices and being physically active. Children learn health-related behaviors by watching adults and by observing the world around them. The media have a tremendous influence on children's thinking about what is healthy and what is not. Most anyone who cares about kids can help teach children to think critically and enable them to gain skills to make good decisions. Parents and care givers are powerful role models for children. If these significant adults are involved with health-related programs along with their children, it will increase the chance of the program having a positive impact on the young person. For example, by the age of about 8, most children are making their own snack choices. Parents and other adults can support a child's healthy choices. It is important to be sensitive to the fact that some of the adults in children's lives will have habits that are not healthy and are actually harmful to themselves and the young people around them. We can let children know that sometimes people develop habits such as making poor food choices before they knew that these behaviors were not good for them. We can also let children know that each person does have the power to change his/her behavior and make different choices for his/her life, though it's not easy. Starting with good habits is the key. Some of the hardest habits to break are those of a sedentary lifestyle and not eating a variety of healthy foods along with appropriate portion sizes on a regular basis. Children need knowledge and consistent guidance to feel confident making healthy food choices and participating in an active lifestyle. It's also possible that as children learn more about making healthier choices, they will serve as role models for the adults in their lives. You don't have to be a nutrition or fitness expert to work with kids around these topics. You can learn right along with the kids! Whether you are a volunteer, an out-of-school program staff member, a youth club leader or coach, you can either use JIFF as a stand-along program or you can blend its activities with other kinds of recreational and learning opportunities. JIFF materials are designed to help kids learn by doing. The activities give them the opportunity to think about and practice healthy life skills using the "Do-Reflect-Apply" steps of an experiential learning model. For more information about the 4-H Jump into Foods & Fitness curriculum, visit the Web site: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/jiff/index.html You can also contact Wanda Repke at repke@msu.edu or (231) 922-4825.
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