Taking care of the body is a process that begins in childhood. Kids need exercise just as much as adults need it. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and teenagers get a minimum of one hour of exercise every day. The good news is that children often satisfy these needs for physical activity with active play outdoors.

Regardless of the season, youngsters can expend energy outdoors while getting vital exercise. Climbing on playground equipment, playing tag, dancing to upbeat music, or racing friends in a foot race are just a few of the ways that children can get exercise while having fun.

Children’s health also involves eating a healthy diet. Kids’ nutrition involves eating the right amount of calories to help them grow with a healthy body weight. Kids also need to eat a variety of different foods that have low trans- and saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar.

Eating whole foods without refined grains and sugars usually ensures that youngsters get the right nutrients they need for optimal growth without excess calories that could contribute to obesity.

A healthy lifestyle does not end with exercise and diet, though. Pediatrics recommends that kids and teenagers spend no more than two hours with screens each day. This includes televisions, computers, and mobile devices. Limiting media usage frees kids to spend their time doing other things that require imagination and physical energy.

While maintaining your children’s health takes effort, the goal is a worthy one to help youngsters grow up happy and robust.