As an Auntie, you want the best for your nieces and nephews when it comes to their health and well-being.  What better time of year to start setting positive examples for them to take care and love themselves than at Valentine's Day?

As everyone knows, the rate of pediatric obesity has skyrocket in the United States.  What can you as an aunt do to help curb this national epidemic?  The answer: Lots!  Just by setting examples through your own actions and choices, you can be a positive influence on some of your youngest fans.  You don’t need to preach the details of what you are doing, but you can lead by demonstrating the choices you make and explain why you make them, if asked.

Even subtle choices that you make in front of your nieces and nephews can go a long way to influence and institute change - and may teach them about different options than what they see or have available in their own home.  Think about some of the basics that your nieces and nephews may do on a daily basis: eating, exercise and activities that aren’t even necessarily related to exercise but also aren’t sitting around watching a video game or TV.

Eating

How can you influence their eating?  Set an example, and you may even have fun introducing them to new foods in the process!

When you have a baked potato, don’t load it with cheese, sour cream and butter.  Try it with a mild salsa and nonfat sour cream instead. When you have veggies and dip, instead of the ranch dressing offer it with hummus.  If you enjoy cooking together, use olive oil to sautée veggies instead of butter.

You can set these examples either at your own house when you are hosting or when eating out, and you can make modifications when eating over at their own house if possible.  Just think: not only will you will be teaching them healthy eating habits, but your own body will thank you as well!

Exercise

Children often won’t be active children, unless we as adults set that example for them.  Think of fun activities you can do to have the kids get their heart rate up and get moving.  The key is to have fun!

At the same time, you can indulge in some nostalgia for activities you haven’t done since childhood!  When was the last time you had a pogo sticking contest? Or, maybe you know how to double dutch jump rope.  Dust off your rusty skills and get active, it will end up being a lot more fun than playing a video game or watching TV together.

Did you know that studies show that when children watch TV or play video games they burn less calories than for example, if they were to simply lay down reading a book?  You want them to engage in the least sedentary activities possible, and at the same time you will be getting the chance to build lasting memories.

Good luck and have fun!