How Diet and Exercise Can Affect Child Psychology
The American Psychological Association launched the ABCDE campaign, teaching kids and parents to Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise. It is an effort towards healthier lifestyles and development, targeting children’s growth and well-being. Read on below to learn more about the effects of proper nourishment and activity to child psychology. (You can also download the full PDF brochure here: Tips for Acting Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise for Kids.)
Child Psychology: Statistics
Parents are urged to incorporate the teachings of the campaign in their own home. These days, a lot of kids do not get the appropriate amount of nourishment and/or physical activity necessary for them to properly grow and develop. Here are some facts and figures to give you a better idea of this recurrent issue:
– 16-17 million kids live in households at risk of going hungry. That’s one out of six homes. These kids are at risk of not eating enough healthy food.
– One out of three kids are overweight, while one out of six kids (aged 6-17) are obese.
– Only 30% of kids (aged 6-17) get at least 20 minutes of active physical exercise everyday. The recommendation is at 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily.
But these are just numbers, right? Wrong. These facts matter. And parents are facing the challenge of making sure their children get the proper nutrition and exercise that they need.
The Advantages of Proper Nourishment and Activity to Child Psychology
Check out the many benefits that your kids can get if they receive proper nutrition and exercise:
– Healthy brain development, which leads to improved learning abilities
– Increased chances of performing well at school, which creates a strong sense of self-esteem
– Improved ability to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression
– Healthy habits carried on to adulthood
– Increased immunity from childhood illnesses
– Stronger bones and muscles, limiting excess body fat
– Lower risk for cavities, unhealthy eating habits, and weight control problems
– Lower chances of developing iron deficiency and malnutrition
– Prevention of chronic illnesses in adulthood related to obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancers
The Role of Nutrition and Exercise in Child Psychology
Aside from the more evident physical benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, there are also emotional and behavioral consequences from a child’s particular diet and exercise regimen.
-Physical activity leads to lower stress levels
-Sports engagement can help with socializing issues and can foster teamwork, leadership skills, and camaraderie
-Healthy diet habits can lead to a good body image, which increases self-esteem
-Proper nutrition leads to proper brain development, leading to academic achievement and a healthy sense of motivation
-A healthy body and mind will also create a healthy level of emotional and social maturity, necessary for coping with challenges and difficulties in the real world
If you are worried that your child is having problems related to his diet or physical activity, we can help. Child psychology encompasses all aspects of your child’s wellbeing. Our licensed therapists can assist you in identifying possible and existing issues in order to properly address and resolve them.
Childhood malnutrition and lack of exercise are common problems for families in Toronto and most cities and counties in Canada. Positive Kids licensed therapists and psychologists can help you and your loved ones deal with these problems and get on with a happier and healthier life.