Family Wellness Effects on Adults

Adults’ well-being is just as dependent on their family as their kids’ is.

Benefits of Healthy Habits

Parents often sacrifice their health for that of their children, and understandably so. But what they are not taking into account is that the habits they develop are the habits that their children are being exposed to. If an impressionable child sees their parent snacking on cookies and chips, or spending your free-time in front of the television, then what example is being set for them? As a parent or guardian, you go to great lengths to ensure that children are getting the proper nutrition and the necessary physical activity that you can forget to “practice what you preach”. The need for proper diet and physical activity is just as important for adults as it is for children. And while the specific needs may change, the requirements do not.

Nutrition

As we age, many people have a tendency to eat less. Making it harder to ensure that you are getting both the recommended variety of foods, but also the recommended amounts. It is important that you find ways to remain as active as possible in order to encourage your appetite and to maintain muscle mass. While children, teenagers, and even younger adults often need to have a diet higher in energy dense foods, older adults need to concentrate on foods that are more nutrient dense.

Foods such as:

Lean Meats
Eggs
Low-fat Dairy
Nuts and Seeds
Wholegrain Breads

Physical Activity

The recommended amount of activity for adults is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, or about 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Considerably less than it is for children and teenagers. The amount of physical activity that adults need is may be less than that of younger populations, but that does not mean that it is less important. Just the opposite in fact. As we age, the need to stay physically active is arguably more important.

Preventative Care

As people age they also need to begin to think about preventative care. Going to see your primary physician for annual physicals, health screenings, and any necessary vaccines are much more important to adults than to younger populations. The best treatment is early detection.

Are You Up To Date On Your Preventative Care?

96 Million Adults in the U.S. living with prediabetes

74% Adults are overweight or obese

1 in 3 Deaths each year due to heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease

$3.8 Trillion U.S. annual health care costs – driven largely by chronic diseases

How Family Wellness Affects Other Family Members

If we are going to promote wellness in regards to the entire family, we must also take a look at the impacts that it has on each member; the child, the teenager, and the parent(s). Each member of the family must reach a balance between pursuing their personal goals with contributing to the overall well-being of the remaining family members. Different age groups have different wellness needs that must be provided by or enhanced by those around them.