Tips for Kids on Eating Well and Feeling Good about Yourself

It is no fun to worry all the time about how much you weigh, how much you eat, or whether you are thin. Here are some things you can do.

Be healthy and fit! Have fun!
Feel good about how you look!

• Eat when you are hungry. Stop eating when you are full.
• All foods can be part of healthy eating. There are no "good" or "bad" foods, so try to eat lots of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, and even sweets sometimes.
• When having a snack try to eat different types. Sometimes raisins might be good, sometimes cheese, sometimes a cookie, sometimes carrot sticks or celery dipped in peanut butter.
• If you are sad or mad or have nothing to do—and you are not really hungry—find something to do other than eating. Often, talking with a friend, or parent, or teacher is helpful.
• Remember: kids and adults who exercise and stay active are healthier and better able to do what they want to do, no matter what they weigh or how they look.
• Try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like dancing or karate) that you like and do it! Join a team, join the YMCA, join in with a friend or practice by yourself—Just do it!
• Good health, feeling good about yourself, and having fun go hand in hand. Try out different hobbies, like drawing, reading, playing music, or making things. See what you’re good at and enjoy these things.

• Remind yourself that healthy bodies and happy people come in all sizes, and that no one body shape or body size is a healthy one or the right one for everybody.
• Some people believe that fat people are bad, sick, and out of control, while thin people are good, healthy, and in control. This is not true and it is unfair and hurtful.
• Do not tease people about being too fat, too thin, too short, or too tall. And, don’t laugh at other people’s jokes about fat (or thin) people or short (or tall) people. Teasing is unfair and it hurts.
• If you hear someone (your mom or dad, a sister or a friend) say they are "too fat and need to go on a diet,"
  TELL THEM—Please don’t, because dieting to lose weight is not healthy—and no fun—for kids or adults.
  TELL THEM—You think they look great just the way they are.
  TELL THEM—Don’t diet; eat a variety of foods and get some exercise.
  TELL THEM—Remember, being "thinner" is not the same as being healthier and happier
• Appreciate yourself for all you are – everyone should respect and like themselves, enjoy playing and being active, and eat a variety of healthy foods.

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