Parents

Sugar: Does It Really Cause Hyperactivity?

kid with pile of candy If you think that sugar makes your child hyperactive, a substantial body of research shows that there is no link between the two. In the 1970’s there was a study done that was the basis for the “sugar-hyperactivity myth”. Since then over a dozen larger studies have been conducted and not one of them has found that sugar causes hyperactivity.

You may think that your child is acting out because of sweet snacks, but actually your child may be wired because of the excitement going on around them, like playing games or being with friends. You should take stock of your child’s environment before blaming sweets for hyperactivity or bad behavior. Some studies even show that sugar may actually have a calming effect because it produces a chemical called serotonin which contributes to a feeling of well-being

Hyperactivity aside, there is another reason to be concerned with the amount of sugar your child eats. When kids fill up on sugar-sweetened foods they have little appetite for healthier foods their growing body needs like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. Teach your child balance and moderation with all foods.

Exercise: What Motivates Kids?

family walking There is a lot to be gained from regular physical activity but how do you encourage kids to do it? There are three keys:

Choosing the right activities for a child’s age. If you don’t, the child may be bored or frustrated.
Give kids plenty of opportunity to be active. Kids need parents to make activity easy by providing equipment and taking them to playgrounds and other active spots.
Keeping the focus on fun. Kids won’t do something they don’t enjoy.

If kids enjoy an activity they will want to do more of it. Practicing a skill like swimming or riding a tricycle improves their ability and helps them feel accomplished, especially when the effort is noticed and praised. These good feelings often make kids want to continue the activity and even try others.

Breastfeeding is Best Feeding

The South Dakota Department of Health WIC program has developed a new website with breastfeeding resources. It includes sections for parents, employers, and physicians. Check out the Breastfeeding is Best Feeding site.

Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator for children and teens

CDC has an online tool to calculate BMI-for-age for kids and teens. It displays numeric results, a graphic that shows the weight category, and plots the BMI on a printable growth chart.

Breastfeeding an older baby

Foods for growing children: guidelines for children ages 6 - 10

Best Feeding Playbook: a guide to breastfeeding success

Is obesity an issue in your house? Did you know that one-third of all American children are overweight and 17% are obese? And the number of overweight adolescents has doubled over the past three decades? What about your child? Learn about easy steps to help your kids avoid our nation’s unhealthy trend.

Breastfeeding Mother's Bill of Rights

Breastfeeding: when you need to be away

ChopChop Magazine - fun cooking magazine for kids and families to promote healthy cooking and eating

Small Steps Change of the Month

Like fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods are low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fiber. Whole-grain goods include whole-wheat bread, rye bread, brown rice and whole-grain cereal.