Talking to Your Children about Health

Talking to your child about issues like health, weight and fitness can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you start the discussion in a sensitive and effective way.

1. Don’t make it about weight: Weight is just one indicator of health and often an extremely sensitive subject for kids. You don’t want to hurt their confidence or self image. Set goals with your child unrelated to weight: For example, stick to a plan to have desert twice a week or to walk 15 minutes extra everyday, NOT to lose a certain number of pounds.

Talk to your doctor: If you think your child will be extremely sensitive talking about weight, you may want to ask your doctor, nurse or see a dietitian to step in and handle the talk. Most will be happy to help if you ask.

2. Make it a positive chat: Being healthier is something to be excited about- it shouldn’t seem like a punishment. Talk about how fun it will be for everyone in the family to get more active and to experiment with trying new foods.

3. Make it a Family chat: Talk about how EVERYONE in the family is going to work together to get healthier. Don’t make it seem as though the kids are the only ones who will have to make changes.

4. Make it relevant to kids: Explain why getting healthier is important, but frame it in a way that kids will understand. Kids don’t care that being healthy now will prevent the risk of disease in the future kids care about the here and now. 

    Kids are goal driven. Talk about how exercising more will improve their performance in sports, making them run faster or swing a bat harder. 

    Kids want to feel good now. Mention how eating healthy will give them more energy and improve their concentration in school and with their friends.

5. Don’t say the dreaded D word: Treat diet like a four letter word. Adults don’t stick to diets, why would kids? Teaching your children to eat all things in moderation (including an occasional treat) will ensure they get a balanced diet they need to grow healthy.

6. Food is not a reward or a punishment: Saying you can have ice cream after you finish your carrots devalues the carrots and idolizes the ice cream- the exact opposite effect you were going for.

7. Take Baby Steps: That’s exactly how they started walking, and it should be how they learn new habits. Don’t expect dramatic changes instantly.

These helpful tips provided by the American Heart Association's Alliance for a Healthier Generation. HealthierGeneration.org.