Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) — Content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public domain).
Key points
* Parents and caregivers can help children have healthy growth and a healthy weight.
* Achieving healthy growth and weight includes healthy eating, physical activity, optimal sleep, and stress reduction.
* There are several ways to eat well, be physically active, and maintain a healthy weight.
Why it’s important
Healthy eating, physical activity, optimal sleep, and stress reduction are important to achieving optimal health and managing weight as you age. Several other factors may also affect weight gain.
People who have obesity, compared to those with a healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions.
In addition to the tips below, see other information that can help.
Eat healthy foods
Healthy eating means incorporating a variety of healthy foods into your eating pattern. Fad diets promise fast results. However, such diets limit your nutritional intake, can be unhealthy, and tend to fail in the long run. See these tips instead:
Tips for Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
An eating plan that helps promote health and manage weight includes a variety of healthy foods.
Limiting added sugars can improve health. Do Americans often exceed sugar recommendations?
How to Have Healthier Meals and Snacks
Ideas for healthy meals and snacks at home and on the go.
Nutrition Facts Label and Your Health
Understanding Nutrition Facts Labels can help you make healthy choices.
Limit sugary drinks
Sugar is a main ingredient in many popular beverages.
Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the U.S. See tricks to rethink your drink.
About Water and Healthier Drinks
Getting enough water every day is important for your health. See tips for drinking more water.
Tracking food and drinks
Using this food and beverage diary may help.
Be physically active
How much physical activity you need depends on your age and whether you are trying to maintain your weight or lose weight. Walking is often a good way to add more physical activity to your lifestyle.
Physical Activity and Your Weight and Health
Regular moderate or vigorous physical activity provides immediate and long-term health benefits.
Steps for Getting Started With Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is important for health. See tips to get started and overcome obstacles.
Tracking physical activity
Using this physical activity diary may help.
Manage your weight
You can use the body mass index (BMI) calculator as a screening tool for your weight. See more information to help manage your weight.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Weight
Details on being mindful of calories, ensuring adequate nutrition, and being physically active.
Healthy Habits: Fruits and Vegetables to Manage Weight
Eating more fruits and vegetables can help you feel full without adding many calories to your food.
Suggestions from studies of people who successfully lost weight and maintained it over time.
If you need to lose weight, a well-thought-out plan can help. These five steps can help.
Help children
Parents and caregivers can help children have healthy growth and a healthy weight.
Tips to Support Healthy Routines for Children and Teens
Parents, guardians, and teachers can help children and teens develop healthy habits with these tips.
Preventing Childhood Obesity: 6 Things Families Can Do
Ways parents and caregivers can help children have a healthy weight and establish healthy habits.
Adopt healthy habits
Healthy Habits: Enhancing Immunity
Six ways, in addition to getting a vaccine, to enhance your immunity.
Tips for Healthy Holiday Travel
Stay healthy as you travel by land or air and take breaks at rest stops or convenience stores.
How to Have Healthier Holidays in 1-2-3!
Quick tips on how to incorporate health into the holiday celebrations and activities.
Resources
Food Assistance and Food System Resources
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030: Daily Servings by Calorie Level
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
USDA Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) Calculator