Every Kid Healthy Week — Health Tips for Parents
To celebrate Every Kid Healthy Week, April 22-26, we’re highlighting some kid-friendly physical activity, mental health and nutrition tips. Healthy routines and habits should last all year long, but Every Kid Healthy Week is a great time to start.
Physical Activity: Early Start, Active for Life
Kids who are active from a young age, tend to stay that way. But exercise doesn’t have to mean the same thing to every family, says Ben King M.D., a primary care pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine. “It’s less about the what and more about the how much.”.
So how much is enough? It depends on age. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following guidelines:
- Infants: Encourage your baby to move and play during “tummy time” for at least 30 minutes, every day.
- Toddlers: Kids aged 1 to 3 should engage in at least 3 hours a day of physical activity.
- Young children: Ages 3 to 5, at least 3 hours of physical activity is an optimal goal.
- School kids, adolescents and young adults: These young people are encouraged to aim for at least an hour of physical activity every day.
Dr. King encourages families to avoid being sedentary. “It’s never too late to get started. And there’s also no one-size-fits-all approach.”
Mental Wellness: What to Watch For
Kids face stressors every day: Peer pressure, busy schedules, body changes—it all adds up. The good news is children are resilient. But sometimes it gets to be too much. Here are some signs that indicate your child may be having mental health challenges that go beyond ordinary daily stressors:
- Aggressive or stubborn behavior
- Changes in sleep, weight or eating habits
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Heightened anxiety or worry
- Loss of interest in the things they used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
“It's important for parents to know that anxiety is a normal part of life, says Shannon Bennett, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, assistant professor of psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. But when kids are starting to withdraw or avoid meaningful life activities, that's a time to talk to your doctor, find a therapist, or seek additional assessment or help.”
Always set aside some time to ensure your child feels heard and knows they are loved. Being approachable and ready to listen when your child is ready to talk about what’s upsetting them can help start their mental health journey on the right foot.
Nutrition: Does Your Child Need a Multivitamin?
Kids love to eat. But are they getting enough of the essential nutrients they need?
“In the U.S., up to 15% of toddlers and about 16% of adolescent girls are iron deficient,” says Alexis Fissinger, pediatric dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Advanced Digestive Care and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's Ambulatory Care Network. “Vitamin D deficiency is similar in prevalence.”
According to Dr. Fissinger, if your child eats fruit, vegetables, proteins and starches, they probably don't need a multivitamin. But if you’re dealing with a picky eater or food allergies, a supplement, whether a multivitamin or single nutrient, could be the answer.
Chewable, gummy, liquid, or tablet—it all depends on which one you can get your child to take. But watch out for the gummies. Kids might treat these like candy, so keep them where they can’t grab them.
Have other questions about your child’s health? Find a Weill Cornell Medicine pediatrician to discuss any concerns with.