Parents influence children’s health and well-being from the inside out. But while Philadelphia’s kids are getting healthier, there is still more to do to make sure all our children thrive and grow into healthy adults.
You can help kids:
• Be active for an hour each day.
• Drink water or low-fat milk instead of sugary drinks.
• Have active adult role models.
Active kids are happier kids
Only one in every five Philadelphia teens gets their recommended daily hour of physical activity. (And girls are much less active than boys.) Being active is important because it:
• Strengthens bones and muscles
• Increases energy and attention span
• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Improves mood
• Reduces the risk of diabetes and other diseases
Find out more about Philly’s opportunities for:
• Safe walking and biking to school
• Healthy schools
• Active after-school and summer programs
• Playgrounds and other places for free play
• Activities for girls
Do you know what your kids are drinking?
Active kids need water and low-fat milk to stay hydrated! They do NOT need sugary drinks, which are packed with empty calories, and contribute to diabetes, obesity and tooth and bone decay.
Sugary drinks to avoid include:
• Soda
• Iced tea
• Sports drinks
• Energy drinks
• Fruit drinks
• Flavored water
• Even many fruit juices
Learn more about sugary drinks.
Find tips on how to get your kids to drink more water.
Learn more about healthy diets for all ages.
Your choices matter
Our kids might not always do what we say – but they will see what we do.
What sort of health habits do we want them to learn from us?
