5-2-1-0 Rule for Children and Information and Myths about High Blood Pressure

5-2-1-0 RULE & BP INFORMATION

5 OR MORE SERVINGS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES PER DAY
Fruits and vegetables contain many nutrients that a child’s body needs, and they should take the place of high-calorie foods from a child’s daily food menu. Children who eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day are significantly less likely to become overweight or develop obesity than children who eat less than three servings per day. In addition, high fruit and vegetable consumption decreases risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Ensure that your child eats fruits and vegetables at every meal and as a snack.

2 HOURS OF SCREEN TIME OR LESS PER DAY
Children who watch more than two hours of screen time (TV, computer, video games) per day have double the incidence of obesity when compared to children who watch less than one hour per day. Limit screen time to two hours or less per day and keep children physically active. Children should not be allowed to watch TV before 2 years of age, and there should be no TV in a child’s bedroom, no matter what the child’s age.

1 HOUR OR MORE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PER DAY
There is significant improvement in both physical and mental health when children and teenagers obtain their required 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Encourage your child to be active! Have a goal of 60 minutes a day of moderate physical activity such as playing outdoors or biking.

0 SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES PER DAY
An easy way to help is to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, punches, flavored milks, sports drinks and flavored coffees. These beverages are liquid candy and should rarely be served. One hundred percent pure fruit juice does not contain added sugar but may well contribute to excess weight gain, and portions should be limited.Provide your child with plain milk and water to drink. Give your child fresh fruit instead of juice. Pack water or milk in your child’s school lunch instead of a juice box.

(Taken from Oregon Health and Science University)
You may pick up some snack ideas from the Parish Nurse on Sunday between services or at the information desk.
Stay tuned next week for other ideas for healthy eating on this blog.

BP Clinic March 2nd!
PS Don't forget March 2nd we have another BP Clinic. Don't get your Blood Pressure checked regularly come and see where you register. You never know how you could catch something before a medical event affects you permanently. Age doesn't matter. Many people have high blood pressure and aren't even aware.

The myth of symptoms

There's a common misconception that people with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, will experience symptoms such as nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping or facial flushing. The truth is that HBP is largely a symptomless condition. If you ignore your blood pressure because you think symptoms will alert you to the problem, you are taking a dangerous chance with your life. Everybody needs to know their blood pressure numbers, and everyone needs to prevent high blood pressure from developing.

(Taken from the American Heart Association)