The Healthy Attitude of Today's Kids

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International Food Information Council Foundation

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If a positive attitude is the first step to better health, America's kids are well on their way. Of the youngsters questioned in a new Gallup survey, 97 percent agree that a balanced diet is very important for good health, and 98 percent agree that physical activity is too.

Although they get an "A" for attitude, kids aren't making the grade when it comes to understanding what constitutes good nutrition and exercising as much as they should.

Developed by The American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) in cooperation with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the survey assessed the attitudes and behaviors of 410 children between the ages of nine and 15 regarding food, nutrition and physical activity. The Gallup Organization conducted the survey in late 1994 as a follow-up to a similar survey conducted in 1991.

Nutrition Message Getting Through

The survey found that kids are beginning to understand the basic tenets of healthy eating: variety, balance, and moderation. Nearly all (96 percent) say they like eating different types of food. Eighty-seven (87) percent agree that eating smaller amounts of a variety of foods is better than eating large amounts of only a few-up from 64 percent in 1991-a trend Doris Derelian, Ph.D., R.D., and ADA's president, finds encouraging.

"Children understand that they can enjoy a wide variety of foods eaten in moderation. We need to continue encouraging these attitudes about a balanced diet since they are essential for optimal growth and development of our youth," she said.

However, the youngsters surveyed also hold some misconceptions about nutrition despite the growing amount of nutrition information available.

Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) feel that their favorite foods are not good for them, a slight increase from the 1991 survey results. Likewise, more than two-thirds (64 percent) believe foods that are good for them do not taste good, up from 50 percent in 1991.

"We need to remind kids that all foods can fit into a healthful diet," said Nancy Schwartz, Ph.D., R.D., director of ADA's National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics. "The key to a healthful diet is balancing your food choices over a period of time. For example, if you find yourself eating foods that are higher in fat and calories one day, then choose foods the next day that have less fat and fewer calories."

Changing Eating Patterns

The survey also indicates that kids are changing how and where they eat. Most kids do not eat three meals a day. Half of the respondents (51 percent) say they skip breakfast, and 28 percent skip lunch. In addition, 18 percent say they skip dinner, an increase of six percentage points in the last three years.

More and more youngsters agree that snacks can be an important part of a healthy diet (32 percent in 1994 vs. 22 percent in 1991). Hurried lifestyles, coupled with the smaller portions kids eat, mean many youngsters are not able to sit down and eat a full meal.

"Snacks are an important part of the diet because they help prevent between-meal hunger and fatigue. Foods such as cheese, pretzels, fruit or cut raw vegetables are great snacks that help kids refuel throughout the day and are easy to carry in a backpack or bag," noted Schwartz.

More kids are eating the school lunch, according to the survey. More than two-thirds (67 percent) say they eat school lunches, and 28 percent take their lunch to school. In 1991, 58 percent said they ate the school's lunch, and 40 percent brown bagged it.

Having Fun While Getting Fit

The survey indicates that today's kids like being physically active. The most common reason kids gave for being active was "because it's fun," and 78 percent of those surveyed say they enjoy and look forward to participating in physical activity or sports. Furthermore, 80 percent say they want to be more active in the coming year.

"Linking fun and good health to physical activity is essential," said Sandra Perlmutter, executive director of the PCPFS. "While we all know the health aspects are important, keeping the fun in physical activity and sports is what keeps kids moving - and will hopefully translate positive behaviors into lifetime habits."

"Parents, teachers and others can keep it fun by encouraging kids to be active with their friends and family members. The Oget fit with a friend' approach really works," she said.

When asked what activities they had engaged in during the last six months, the youngsters surveyed say playing outdoors (66 percent), walking (62 percent), jogging or running (59 percent), riding a bicycle (58 percent), and playing basketball (56 percent). More than half of those surveyed say they either play outside or walk every day.

The survey results were compared to Healthy People 2000, national health objectives established by the federal government in 1990. While America's kids are moving in the right direction, they're not there quite yet (see table next page).

"While these results indicate that the majority of kids are involved in a sport or specific activity, they may not be participating regularly in both moderate and vigorous activities," said Perlmutter. Ideally, moderate physical activities such as running or aerobic dancing should be included every other day. Perlmutter noted that this can be achieved by making some basic changes.

"By changing a few habits, young people can significantly increase their physical activity levels and find that, in a short while, they feel and even look better," she said. "Walking or biking to a friend's house instead of getting a ride is one possibility. Taking the stairs at the shopping mall instead of the escalator or elevator is another. Taking a 10-minute break every hour from studying or watching television to walk around the house or around the block, or turn on a radio and dance will also improve health. Meanwhile, kids can work their way up to vigorous activities three times a week."

Schools as Role Models

Today's halls of learning have a lot more to offer students than the traditional three R's. The survey indicates that our schools play a pivotal role in molding children's attitudes and behaviors about nutrition and physical activity.

For example, schools and teachers are considered to be the major sources of nutrition information for 90 percent of the respondents, and 60 percent rate that information as very useful.

"Teachers are in the unique position of being able to tie the classroom into the lunchroom," said Derelian. "Whether the subject is science, history, math or home economics, all classes are a forum for children to learn about food, eating and nutrition."

School also provides a place to get the exercise children need to develop properly. However, only one-third of all respondents report taking physical education class five days a week; another 38 percent take it two or three days a week.

Some schools are looking for other ways to incorporate physical activities into the class schedule. The survey found that, of those who said they do not attend PE, two-fifths (41 percent) said they do participate in some type of physical activity in another class. Furthermore, 26 percent of all the respondents say they attend an after- school program almost every day, while another 20 percent do so two or three times a week.

"It's clear that schools are where children get their nutrition and physical activity information, where many receive at least one meal a day, and where most children are given a chance to be physically active," said Sylvia Rowe, president of IFIC. "Thus, it's crucial that we as a society support our schools and continue offering the top-notch information and resources our children need for optimal growth and development."

A Bright Future

The survey results indicate that today's adolescents are not that far off track but do need guidance to achieve a healthful lifestyle.

One tool to help children develop healthier behaviors is the updated brochure 10 Tips to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for You, developed by ADA, IFIC and PCPFS. For a free copy of the brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to: 10 Tips for You, P.O. Box 65708, Washington, DC 20035. The brochure can also be accessed through IFIC Foundation On-Line

For more information about food and nutrition or a referral to a registered dietitian in your area, call ADA's Hotline at 1-800-366-1655. For more information about improving your physical activity level, write to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 250,Washington, DC 20004.

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Reprinted from the International Food Information Council Foundation