Healthy Eating and Exercise
A lot of development and lifestyle change take place in a young person during their teenage years. As your child gets older, their need for independence grows and therefore they start taking more control over their choices. They will often start making choices about the food they eat and how they spend their time. Having good routines and healthy values at home allows a healthy lifestyle to be embraced.
On average, teenagers should do at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, ranging from moderate which could be walking or cycling to school, to vigorous activity such as running or playing a sport. Taking time to be active with your child can do a lot of good. A bike ride or walk could improve their sleep, start to instil good routines and help them maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity also improves their general wellbeing.
When it comes to healthy eating, encourage a balance. This allows your teenager to grow up with a healthy relationship with food. Encourage healthy eating by having three meals a day, drinking enough fluids in the day and having a diet that is colourful and full of food that nourishes the body.
Use the links below to find trusted support on this topic. Additionally, encourage your child to use the Health Topic pages for their relevant age group here on Teen Health. They can find more information and resources to support them.
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