FATAYAA September 2018 | Page 5

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According to the American Psychological Association, one of the leading psychology university in the world, establishing healthy habits is the most critical factor in a child's mental, emotional and physical development.

Teaching your child to Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise (ABCDE) will result in numerous benefits for your child. Children who follow the ABCDE rule tend to have:

- more self confidence in their abilities and about themselves.

- have higher emotional intelligence and manage stressful situations much better.

- stronger muscles and bones and lower levels of body fat.

- less risk for cavities, unhealthy weight gain, iron and calcium deficiency.

As parents, it is your responsibility to implement the ABCDE lifestyle in your child's life. Children learn and imitate parents from a very early age, including their eating habits, their attitudes, their behavior and their other lifestyle choices. Being an ABCDE role model will go a long way in implementing the ABCDE lifestyle in your child's life. It is never too late to start, so go ahead and make those changes in your life that will help your child live better.