Monkey Joe's Blog
American Heart Month: 3 Heart Health Topics for Kids
Posted on Feb 19, 2016
Category:
Heart disease may seem like a topic for adults, but today is actually a great time to talk to your kids about heart-healthy living! February is American Heart Month, raising awareness about heart disease and the simple things you can do to reduce your risk--and your children’s risk.
It’s never too early to establish healthy habits, so talk to your kids about these three points, and head over to the American Heart Association for more kid-appropriate information about healthy heart habits.
Do something active each and every day
Many parents are unaware that their kids are not getting the recommended amount of exercise. The American Heart Association recommends that kids get at least 60 minutes of "moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity" every day. Daily exercise is not only good for the heart, but also builds muscle, bones, and joints, improves mood and self-esteem, gives you more energy, and helps you sleep better at night.
To help your kids be more active, make exercise fun! Take a family nature walk each day, have a high-energy kitchen dance party, or come to Monkey Joe's! At our indoor inflatable playgrounds, kids can run wild in a jungle of fun inflatables. Our soft and bouncy jumps, slides, and obstacle courses allow kids to burn off some energy in an exciting indoor environment, so your child can enjoy active play no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Eat smart for a healthy heart
Establishing healthy eating habits when kids are young will help them enjoy a heart-healthier future. Food is fuel, so teach your kids to read Nutrition Facts labels and opt for fruits and veggies over foods with added sugar and salt. It's also important to choose whole grains, and remember that many prepackaged and convenience foods contain extremely high levels of sodium. Choose low-sodium or no salt added options for a diet your heart will appreciate.
Say "No!" to tobacco
Using cigarettes or other tobacco products puts you at much greater risk for heart disease and cancer, as well as damaging other organs. Teaching kids to say no to tobacco should start young, long before they are old enough to be tempted by peers. Take a look at these tips for resisting peer pressure and discuss them with your kids. It's also important to lead by example, so if you do smoke or use tobacco products, consider joining a smoking cessation program.
Photo by Unsplash via Pixabay
