Healthy Eating Habits

How Can I Foster Healthy Habits with My Child?

James M. Rippe, M.D.
Cardiologist and Biomedical Sciences Professor at the University of Central Florida

A father of four daughters and a practicing physician, Dr. Rippe is uniquely experienced with the challenges of fostering healthy habits among children. He notes:

• Good nutrition is important year-round, so that kids get the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. But it's especially important to keep in mind as students go back to school because research shows that good nutrition leads to better academic performance and improved behavior.

• Momentum is building for multi-level approaches to health promotion, which means there will be more emphasis on working with schools to improve child health.

• A sugar is a sugar, whether it comes from honey, high fructose corn syrup, table sugar, or fruit juices. Nutritionally they're all the same. Moderation is the key.

• Kids should be encouraged to eat breakfast regularly. Even if time is short, nutritious, on-the-go foods like cereal bars and fruit or milk, are good options.

• Parents and teachers are important role models for their kids when it comes to healthy habits.

• Parents and teachers usually control when kids eat, but the kids themselves usually determine how much they eat.

• Physical activity is vital. Programs that encourage movement are getting more attention. There is growing interest in "walk to school" programs.