Course conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed and taken something from the course. Over the past four weeks, we have learned that nutrition, physical activity, screen time and sedentary behavior, and sleep, and the balance of these elements are crucial in establishing healthy patterns in children’s lives. It is important to establish routines and practices that promote healthy living– moderation, balance, limits. We have discovered new ways to make fruit and vegetables attractive to children, how to look for more balanced food alternatives with greater nutritional value, and how to create environments more conducive to promoting physical activity. We have learned strategies to moderate children’s screen time and sedentary behaviors and discovered ways to help children get the sleep required to live happy and healthy lives.

Childhood obesity and its associated diseases are mostly preventable. And considering that patterns established early in children’s lives have the potential to develop into lifelong patterns, it is important that we make a conscious effort to ensure that all children are given the best possible start to life.