As adults, we often hear doctors say that a healthy diet and exercise are the best ways to prevent many of our aches, pains and chronic problems such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. But the truth of the matter is that good nutrition and getting plenty of exercise are often overlooked as the building blocks for strong growth, healthy development and lifelong wellbeing for children as well. As parents we need to make sure that our children learn the ABC’s of life or better yet, the ABCDE’s (Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise). According to the American Psychological Association, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly are essential for healthy brain development. Children with these habits perform better at school, have higher self-esteem, cope with stress better and are more able to regulate their emotions. In addition, it can help them curve anxiety, depression and stress.
So how do these two factors relate to adolescent substance abuse? Without good nutrition and regular exercise through play or sports, a child’s school readiness skills can be impacted. According the National Institute on Drug Abuse, lack of school readiness skills for a preschool age kid such as not having learned the colors, numbers or knowing how to count, puts a child at a disadvantage at school, which leads to low academic success. As the child grows older, these disadvantages can transition to stress, frustration, social and behavioral problems that can increase the risks for drug abuse and dropping out of school.
This school year, let’s teach our families about ABCDE!
