Grown-up Resources
This is the BIG list of online resources that you might find helpful for living Good to Grow! And remember that the "Click & Go" button on the right takes you to links for printer-ready activities for children.
General
Energize Yourself and Your Family
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/energize.htm
Handy pointers on eating less, moving more, eating on the go, tracking serving sizes and reading food labels.
Everyday Tips on We Can!
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/live-it/tips.htm
Everyday energy balance tips for eating well and moving more. Two lists that say it all.
Free Publications from the Weight-control Information Network
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/index.htm
Publications and resources from the National Institutes of Health on nutrition, physical activity, and weight control listed by subject. Many of these publications are available in Spanish. You can read the information online, download PDFs or order paper versions (up to 25 copies) for free.
¡Podemos! (We Can!) Recursos en Español
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/whats-we-can/resources_espanol.htm ¡Podemos! (We Can!) provee recursos sobre estrategias de la vida real para mantener un peso saludable en el mundo de hoy. Great nutrition and fitness resources and information for the family from We Can!
What is the BMI Index? Audio Clip
http://multimedia.aap.org/mm/mfk/082506.wma
This audio file comes from the "A Minute for Kids" series produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It discusses how BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated and how important it is for your pediatrician to track your child's BMI as a means of obesity prevention.
Food
Kid-Tested Recipes for the Season
http://www.goodtogrow.org/grown_up_kid_recipes.aspx
Soups, side dishes and more. These recipes include dishes that you can involve your child in creating.
Healthy Eating Plan Calculator
http://www.kidsnutrition.org/HealthyEating_calculator.htm
This tool at the Baylor College of Medicine's web site provides guidelines for feeding children over the age of 4.
Serving Size Card: Cut and Fold (PDF)
http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/servingcard7.pdf
You know how you always hear about a serving of this or a serving of that? This wallet-sized guide provides easy-to-grasp examples of healthy serving sizes for fruit, vegetables, meats, dairy and grain products.
Rate Your Plate! from the American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/all-about-diabetes/chan_eng/i3/i3p4.htm
A quick way to make sure you're eating a variety of foods at each meal. It's fast, easy and interactive.
Fruits and Veggies Matter from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/index.html
We can't say enough about this new web site. It's easy-to-use, attractive and full of fantastic information including recipes.
Healthier Eating While Saving Money Tip Sheet (PDF)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/tip_saving.pdf
Healthy Fast Foods Audio Clip
http://multimedia.aap.org/mm/mfk/090806.wma
This audio file comes from the "A Minute for Kids" series produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It discusses "eating on the go" and healthier choices that you can make at fast food restaurants.
What is Healthy Eating?
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/March/docs/01features_01.htm
This article from the National Institutes of Health breaks it down in easy to understand terms. Based in research, the author summarizes best practices when it comes to eating healthfully. Look for the links to more resources and simple tips for eating right.
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Exercise
Health & Fitness Tips
http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitbits_list.aspx
The American Council on Exercise offers insight into the latest research, trends and workouts. There's a section specific to children.
Kid's Fitness: What's a Parent To Do?
http://www.acefitness.org/updateable/update_display.aspx?pageID=406
Article on the American Council for Exercise website that breaks it down by age group (2-5 years old, 5-8 years old, 8-10 years old and 10-12 years old).
Physical Activity Guidelines for Children (PDF)
http://pbrc.edu/pdf/PNS-physicalactivity.pdf
Colorful, four-page guide for parents including indoor and outdoor activities. Developed by a nutrition research group at Louisiana State University.
Get the Family Moving from We Can!
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/live-it/get-moving.htm
The We Can! site is rich with ideas of how to balance energy IN with energy OUT. This section focuses on exercising as a family and everyday activities that burn calories.
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Outdoors
Growing an Urban Garden - Container Gardening
http://www.urbangardeninghelp.com/container.htm
Background information on starting a container garden and links to lots of resources.
NWF's Green Hour
http://www.greenhour.org/
The National Wildlife Federation recommends that parents give their kids a "Green Hour" every day, a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. To help you do so, check out this rich resource of outdoor family activities.
Benefits of Nature for Children’s Health (PDF)
http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/cye/courses/Benefitsofnature-FactSheet1-April2007.pdf
This fact sheet from the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design at the University of Colorado summarizes studies that explore the link between access to nature and children's health.
No Child Left Inside Coalition
http://www.nclicoalition.org
ACM is a member of the No Child Left Inside Coalition, an advocacy group for environmental education. The Coalition supports the No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 3036), approved by the House of Representatives on September 19, 2008, that will provide new federal funding for outdoor learning activities and high-quality environmental education.
Screen time
Television - How it Affects Children
http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZGF8VOQ7C.htm?&sub_cat=1
A brief article from the American Academy of Pediatrics that reviews both the impact of the quality and quantity of television watched on your child. At the end of the article there is a link to a helpful set of viewing guidelines called Positive Actions for Parents.
Physical Health and Media Consumption
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/healthsurvivalguide/physicalhealth.php
This page is a starting point for learning more about how excessive screen time affects your child's health. Included are some eye-opening statistics and practical guidelines to limit family screen time.
Tips for Turning It Off
http://www.tvturnoff.org/brock10.htm
These pearls of wisdom come from parents who have survived going "TV-free." While you're at this web site, check the dates for this year's "TV-Turnoff Week."
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