WELLNESS CORNER: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

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WELLNESS CORNER:  Healthy Eating and Physical Activity by Ikechukwu Anyanwu

This is a hectic period for many families across the country. With so many things going on, it’s easy to let healthy eating and physical activity fall down the priority list.

Promoting physical activity and healthy eating has always been an interest of mine. This led me to start working with children, working with them on Family Fun time project and also working in a Culinary industry for a decade now and I have discovered that a child’s health and wellbeing starts at the family level. When we see children who don’t take healthy eating and physical activity seriously, it’s the first place we turn for fostering a behavior change.
Today it’s more important than ever for children to receive the same messages at school as they do at home. Teachers want to keep order—and a room full of young children jumping and playing is often quite the opposite. This lack of parallel between teachers and parents has been the focus of my most recent research, which we are collecting data for and preparing to analyze the results. There is no one-size-fits-all intervention, but below are four things that can help.

  1. Social support: Having someone to lean on within the family structure is crucial, whether it’s providing transportation to practice or simply sharing the activity. Kids who know physical activity is meaningful and that they can rely on someone for encouragement are always more motivated to stay active. This also reaches beyond the family structure. Some parents use social media for support with behavioral change. They need that daily interaction and can find it with people online. It’s all about finding the right support system.
  2. Role models: It’s amazing how kids are so easily influenced, even when parents and family members don’t realize it. For example, children should not only share in physical activity with their parents, but they should observe them participating in their own exercise routine like running or yoga. This helps the importance of physical activity sink in. It’s also great when parents practice what they preach by eating healthy foods and providing opportunities for their children to get involved like shopping  or trying new activities together.
  3. Holistic wellness: My research has always focused on physical wellness. But as I think more about overall health, and as I work with disadvantaged populations, I’m moving more toward a holistic approach to well being. How can someone be physically well if they are not well emotionally or financially? All of these areas work together, so when people are faced with more pressing issues, physical activity and healthy eating often fall to the back burner. Setting and achieving goals in other areas of health and wellness can help families get to a place where healthy eating and physical activity become higher priorities.
  4. Accessibility: If people don’t have access to parks and trails or grocery stores with good fruits and vegetables at a fair price, it is much more difficult to stay active and eat right. Of course, just because people have access to these resources doesn’t mean they will use them, but it becomes impossible without access.

Tips for Staying Active and Eating Right

Whether you’re working toward a positive change with your child or just looking for helpful ways to stay active and promote healthy eating, consider these four tips.

  1. Plan outdoor/physical activities as a family. While the weather can sometimes be challenging in places there are a variety of parks and lakes available to the public. It’s important to make physical activity a normal part of family time. Head out for a walk or find a playground nearby.
  2. Get kids involved. While kids need parents or guardians who are active role models in their health and wellness, they also need to feel supported in their own There are a number of affordable options like soccer offered at local parks, dance classes or even play groups that kids can enjoy with support from their parents or guardians.
  3. Make time for family meals. It’s important to allow 20-30 minutes for slowing down and sitting at the table together. Research  shows students who engage in regular family meals are less depressed, have better grades and eat more fruits and vegetables and less fast food.
  4. Let your children help with food preparation at an early age. This can be as simple as letting your children help with washing fruits and vegetables. Not only will they see the importance of healthy food by working to prepare it, parents and guardians are more likely to prepare meals at home if it means quality time with their children. If they are too young for washing or cutting food, try kid-friendly meals such as personal pizzas—great for assembling a masterpiece by spreading the marinara and choosing toppings.

In an effort to promote overall family health, including involvement in physical activity,  Arise Afrika  is partnering with GCFN CONSULT, All Africa Media Network, Churches, hospitals, health clubs, schools and more for its 7th annual Family Fun time – Featuring  Health and Fitness Day Tips .

 There are several ways to get involved in your community. visit www.gcfnconsult.org.ng to know more about this body.   Email gcfn2001@yahoo.com or call 2348037512288 for more details.

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PROFILE OF IKECHUKWU ANYANWU Ikechukwu Anyanwu is an Imo State born Nigerian. An Author, Public Speaker, Humanitarian, Blogger, Media Guru and Start-up Coach. He has inspired millions through Arise Africa Network Platform He Is Into Education, Media, Entertainment, Showbiz and Hospitality Industry. Having calved a nitche for himself as a leadership expert, human capital development and management consultant. He is currently the Chairman, Online Media practitioners Association of Nigeria, Imo State Chapter. Ceo Arise Africa Magazine, Founder Arise Africa Network – a non-profit organization. Face of Arise Africa, Managing Consultant GCFN Consult. Member, Imo State Bloggers Association. Ag National President, Association of Pageant CEO’s of Nigeria Human Resource Specialist and Leadership Coach with astute impact on many seeking to maximize their skills, intellectuals and innate potentials He has a track record of reproducing leaders and helping them to gain dominance within their nitch. Mr Anyanwu after a rich career that spanned for 18 years having worked as Human Resources Manger, Outlet Manager Rennys Foods Limited from 2004 – 2019, Management Consultant for various Quick Service Restaurants in Abuja, Enugu, Rivers State, Abia, Ebonyi, Kogi and Imo State is now focusing on helping young people to discover, develop their talents. He has built lots of platforms for young people of Africa to express their talents. He is passionate about writing, consulting, coaching and training. He blogs regularly via www.ariseafrika.com and has a thriving social media followership. He is a graduate of Sociology/Anthropology, Imo State University whose passion is to impart knowledge by educating, equipping and empowering young minds for the future. He is an alumni of Living Word Training Center He is also the West African Representative of All African Media Networks He is married to Mrs Carol Anyanwu and blessed with 3 sons.

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