Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living Issue 4 | Page 20

Let
diabetes
end with
you
Children who come from families with diabetic parents have a 45 percent greater chance of
developing diabetes than children in families without the condition.
Research shows that children inherit their dietary and physical activity habits from their parents. These are both
strong determinant environmental risk factors for diabetes that you, as a parent, have influence over.
Therefore, parents who make time to exercise and choose healthier, low-fat food options and snack on fruit and
vegetables have a positive influence on their children’s food and activity preferences. To ensure that your children
maintain a healthy weight and make healthy decisions, try incorporating the tips below to help your family live a
healthy lifestyle.
Diet and activity tips
1 Don’t add sugar, salt or butter to
vegetables
2 Limit screen-time
3
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This turns a ‘good food’ into an unhealthy
food. Try to use fruits and vegetables
that are in season - when they are at
their freshest and tastiest
Tablets, computers and TV are large
contributors to inactive lifestyles and
obesity. Encourage your child to play
outside instead.
Breakfast is essential
4 Get moving
5 Try something new
30 minutes of exercise, 3 to 4 days a week
is suggested for health maintenance.
These 30 minutes can be broken down
into 10 minute sessions (perfect for a
lunch break walk or kicking a ball around
with the kids).
Research indicates that children need
to try new food a few times before they
adopt it. Try introducing healthy food
regularly into lunch boxes and dinners.
Look out for hidden salt and sugar in
breakfast cereals. Try to incorporate
high-fibre cereals into your morning
meal.
B-Living Issue 4, 2017