In honor of National Nutrition, we’d like to share the following:

National Nutrition Month: Honoring the Gift of Food
The “Way of the Circle” is passed from generation to generation, form Native elders to the children in the form of stories, traditions, customs, and teachings. Native American Proverb. This is what we mean by saying that parents and primary caregivers are role models, leaders, and supportive of their children. Parents and other care givers are role models, leaders, and supportive of their children. Parents and primary care givers are not only loving teachers of stories, traditions, and customs, but also in modeling eating and exercise ways.

Research has shown that children and teens really do listen to their parents and model their behavior. You might find this hard to believe at times, but when asked, children often say that their parents are their most respected role models. This gives you a great opportunity to teach your children behaviors they can use to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and to help avoid serious health problems for the rest of their lives.

Also, as a parent or care giver, you manage the home. This means you play a key role in determining what your children eat and how much physical activity they get. You buy most of the food, prepare meals and snacks, and make time for physical activity. You can also set family rules that include when and how much your children are allowed on TV, DVDs, or computer. Healthy eating and physical activity start at home. You are your family’s primary teacher.

Being the leader does not mean you make all the decisions. Talk to your kids about making healthy food and physical activity choices. It will be easier if everyone can help each other to eat well and move more. Perhaps have the children take turns picking one physical activity for the whole family to do. Ask the younger child to come to the grocery store to pick out some healthy food they would like to try. Try to make meal times pleasant and a time to hear about your child’s day.

People find change easier when they have support from those they are close to. Including the whole family in the process will help everyone make health choices and lead healthy lives together

For more information please visit the IHS Nutrition & Dietetics Training Program:

http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Nutrition/