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What Should Children Eat?

A veritable religious war is raging over child nutrition: What should we give the little ones to eat so that they develop well? And can a chubby be healthy too?

Anja Boerner is a self-employed ecotrophologist and works with the Center for Nutritional Advice at HAW Hamburg, among others. Her hobbies are the instructions for changing behavior or the self-reflection of overweight clients and the healthy nutrition of children.

Anja Boerner answers the most important questions about healthy nutrition for children for EAT SMARTER.

How important is a balanced diet for children?

A balanced diet is of course important for healthy growth. Much more important than perfect nutrition is the feeling of security. That means relaxed eating white bread and having a nice family conversation is healthier than a drama about the brown bread. The dining table should not become a stress table!

Mothers in particular often stress themselves out with the need to put healthy food on the table. If the mother no longer has time for her child because she is shopping, cooking, or growing her own crops, this is more damaging to the overall development than a compromise meal, after which there is still time for a game of “Don’t worry”.

How many family meals a day should there be?

As many as possible, always depending on what everyday family life allows. Some families can eat together once a week, others three times a day. A relaxed atmosphere at the dining table is almost more important than the number of meals together: Instead of discussing the child’s poor school grades or relationship problems, you should try to make things as nice as possible together.

“The dining table should not become a stress table”

What is important when it comes to family meals?

First and foremost is the atmosphere: it is desirable to be as friendly as possible. A family meal should offer choice and freedom of choice. Of course, it is best if all family members eat together because this is the only way small children learn to eat independently. It takes a lot of effort at first to feed them porridge with one hand and eat with the other, but it gets easier as the kids get older. Children can only learn “adult” eating behavior if they eat with others.

Do children have to eat their plates clean?

no, It has been proven that the compulsion to eat up can lead to eating disorders in children. Nowadays the motto is: parents offer and the children decide what and how much they eat from this offer.

Can I use food as a reward, for example: “Dessert is only available if you eat the vegetables”?

No! As a result, children learn to reward themselves with food and, in the worst case, develop an eating disorder. If dessert is planned, then the child should get it too, regardless of whether they ate the main meal or not. Pressure and power do not belong at the dinner table. We adults all eat differently, sometimes have an appetite for one thing, sometimes for the other. Why should it be any different with children?

Help, my child doesn’t like fruit and vegetables! What can I do?

Rarely does a child categorically reject all fruits and vegetables. When a child is very picky, it is usually just a phase.

It is important how long this phase lasts: If the child does not eat any vegetables for a day or a week, it is not dramatic. If the phase lasts for several months, parents have to ask themselves whether there is more to it than that, for example, power games that are played out through eating habits. Parents should always offer the scorned fruit and vegetables and, most importantly, eat them with joy and enjoyment.

I recommend involving children in shopping and cooking, even if they don’t eat the vegetables themselves. Sooner or later they will want to try it. Sometimes the dosage form already helps, for example, if you put cucumber slices next to a flower. You eat with your eyes, even with children.

“Children can easily be vegetarian.”

What to do if my child doesn’t want to eat meat?

My three-year-old son suddenly wanted to be a vegetarian. I then explained to him that iron in meat is important for his growth and that what little meat we eat comes from happy animals (he’s now over 6’2 and I’m a vegetarian myself). More and more children and young people are giving up meat. I would take this need seriously as a parent and ask why.

Children can easily live vegetarian. Only the adequate supply of iron must be checked regularly.

What’s the best drink for kids?

The best drink for children is water. Unlike juice, it does not contain sugar, which can lead to obesity and tooth decay. Children can drink tap water, but you should first find out about its quality from the local waterworks. In some areas of Germany, the nitrate load in drinking water is quite high. Even those who have a well at home should have the quality of the water checked before offering it to their children to drink.

What is it about special children’s juices and teas?

Children’s juices and teas attract with colorful packaging tailored to children’s tastes and promises of health. In reality, they are not only more expensive than normal juices and teas, they often contain an extra portion of sugar. They are definitely not healthier for children.

What should I take my child to school with lunch?

A veritable religious war is currently unfolding in German schools around this question. In the meantime, it is even decided at parents’ evenings what parents should and shouldn’t pack in the lunch box. However, the ban on milk slices, white flour, or fruit spritzers does not do anyone justice. For some parents, the regulation does not go far enough, some feel too regulated.

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Small Children: Only Consume Rice Products in Moderation

Dishes with rice are particularly popular with adults and children. But be careful with the little ones, because small children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this is the inorganic arsenic content in rice.

Inorganic arsenic in rice

Young children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this: Rice-based products such as rice cakes, rice milk, rice flakes and the like can contain large amounts of inorganic arsenic. This is now reported by the Bavarian consumer center.

Babies and small children in particular should not consume this toxin too often, as it has a cancer-promoting effect and the amount is larger compared to a small child’s body. The consumer advocates advise bringing variety to the children’s plates by serving rice and other cereals alternately. This means that there is more variety on the table and the child gets new taste impressions.

Of course, adults and older children do not have to do without the pleasure of rice and can access it more often, as the Bavarian consumer advice center explains. Since January 1, 2016, new maximum values ​​for the content of arsenic in food have been in force.

This is arsenic

Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in various compounds throughout the earth’s crust. The rice plant absorbs the substance through its roots in the soil and passes it on through its metabolism to the fruits, i.e. to the rice grains. Rice may contain more arsenic than other plant foods.

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Lifestyle

Children and The Media: Valuable Tips For Getting Started at a Young Age

Children come into contact with digital media earlier and earlier in their everyday lives. As a parent, it is important to encourage responsible parenting.

The digital age: the transformation of the media

The changing times mean that children come into contact with media at an earlier age. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the family environment usually uses media such as smartphones, tablets or television on a daily basis, but also to the child’s curiosity: children love to observe and try out new things. In addition, the often simple use of the devices by swiping, typing or zooming makes it possible for children to quickly take a liking to them.

So today children grow up “surrounded by technology”; they have usually been in contact with digital media from an early age. The possibilities of modern media are also often used in educational institutions, for example to pass on information material and to use alternative learning methods. In the course of their development, the media world does not appear to be “foreign” to the children, but rather they take it for granted and are enthusiastic about it. This is where it is important to intervene as the child’s authority figure and caregiver: the child should maintain a healthy skepticism about media content and be aware of the dangers.

Characteristics of unhealthy media use

Children’s affinity for digital devices such as computers, smartphones or televisions is often very high. They offer a wide range of sounds, images and videos, which is very popular with children and stimulates the stimuli. The extent to which children are attracted to the media content and how intensely the material affects them varies from child to child: While some children can hardly be influenced, others appear more aggressive, overexcited or listless. This already shows that media not only offer advantages, but can also have disadvantages.

In its 2020 media addiction prevention offensive, the DAK examined the effects and changes in media use and was able to identify six signs of unhealthy media use in the course of the study. These include:

contact behavior. The child or young person avoids family, friends or other social encounters. Social life is severely neglected, so that conversations are seldom or only superficial. The virtual space is considered the only desired contact.
times of use. Internet use is intensifying and the usual leisure activities and contact with reality are shortened accordingly. The reason for this can also be the variety of digital media offers: First watch a film on TV, then play a computer game and keep checking your smartphone.
daily structure. The healthy and regular sleeping rhythm is disturbed. A game is often played or a series watched late into the night, so that the day ends much too late. Fatigue, absence or sluggishness as well as reduced performance can be identified.
Affect. If the child or young person has no access to the Internet, depressive, aggressive or angry reactions appear.
Carelessness. The lack of sleep associated with the previous changes, the isolation from social contacts and reality often means that children and young people can no longer fulfill their tasks and obligations. Even hobbies are neglected or given up entirely.
Self reflection. Affected children and young people often find it difficult to realistically assess their own internet use. They get lost in the media and often don’t even know how much time actually elapses.

Tips for regulated media consumption

Children and young people depend on the help of adults when it comes to healthy media consumption. It is important that you help your child to use digital media consciously. An important point is a regulated usage time, which is based on the age of the children.

Klicksafe, an initiative of the European Union, recommends a usage time of about one hour a day for children from 10 to 13 years old, for 14 to 17 year olds the decision should be made depending on the family and personal situation. Klicksafe also lists the idea of ​​”media vouchers”: The “allowed time” could be transferred to vouchers that the child can freely allocate. These coupons can also be set to a specific device. In this way, the child also learns to deal responsibly with time.

It is advisable to agree on a fixed weekly quota for media use instead of fixed times of the day. This is how screen times are set, but the division is left to the child himself. It can be helpful to set an alarm clock so that the time is really observed and the child gets a feeling for its consumption. Show your child other ways to keep themselves busy: It is often a “reflex” to turn on the television when boredom sets in. For example, you could encourage your child to play an analog game, run around outside, do crafts, draw, or read. To prevent addictive behavior, it can also make sense to take “media-free times”. This means that smartphones, tablets or the television remain switched off during a family outing or at the dining table, for example. It can also be a good idea to avoid media for an hour or two before bed. The important thing is to be a role model. If you use your smartphone continuously, it will also be more difficult for the child to stick to agreed times. So you too should reflect on your media behavior and try to be a good role model for your child.

The type and function of the media are also age-dependent: Take a look! informed about which devices could be useful from what age. Babies react instinctively and mainly to light and sound effects: Independent use of media cannot and should not take place at this age. If a child exceeds the first year of life, it can usually differentiate between “image” and “reality”. The child is able to consciously turn to mobile media; however, the area of ​​experience for children under the age of three should be primarily in the real world. Children between the ages of three and four slowly develop an understanding of symbols and media. Tablets are a great opportunity for children of this age to express themselves creatively, to try out themselves and to perceive new characters in films or series. What is important is the shared use of the media and the regulated period of time. At the age of five to six, children use media as a source of knowledge, as a means of orientation, entertainment and as a toy. Here it is important that you help the child to deal with safe offers and support them if possible. The first “own smartphone”, which many children are pushing for, should only be purchased when the child is able to perceive the dangers of the Internet and knows how to protect itself. This is usually the case from around 12 years of age. Here, too, you should talk to the child about the rules, costs and apps and try out how to deal with the child responsibly.

Child-friendly media offerings

There are numerous media offers that are classified as “sustainable” by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. In these, children should learn how to use media responsibly; The advantage of the offers is that the parents act as “companions” in the digital world and can therefore offer assistance if questions or uncertainties arise with the child. A first tip is the children’s search engine “Blinde Kuh”. It is a search engine that provides news, hands-on offers, and tips for surfing and games especially for children.

Another recommended offer is the page Klick-Tipps.net. The site offers information on various topics, but also surveys or knowledge tests are offered. All content has been subjected to a pedagogical examination.

Children and young people often show a special interest in computer and console games. Which games are recommended from a pedagogical point of view are summarized in a brochure every year, which can be a useful guide.

You can find other pedagogically valuable and child-friendly sites at Seitenstark e.V. This is a network in which certified children’s sites work together to provide sustainable offers for children.

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Physical Inactivity in Children

80 percent of children in Germany move too little. This is the result of a recent long-term study. Surprisingly, a difference was found between girls and boys.

Physical inactivity in children

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one hour of exercise a day. However, the long-term movement study “Motorik Modul” came to the conclusion that 80 percent of the children move too little.

Various scientists have been analyzing the physical activity habits of children and young people aged four to 17 in Germany for twelve years. The motor skills data of around 6000 participants are evaluated every three years. The results: The children move less and less and with increasing age, the movement decreases further.

Girls fare significantly worse than boys. The curious thing about it: About 80 percent of the children who took part in the study are already registered in a sports studio, and school sports are also being promoted more and more these days. Actually, the children’s physical activity should have increased by 25 minutes per week. But unfortunately, the opposite is the case.

Where is the problem?

One might think that the problem is obvious and that media use is once again to blame for everything. But the study claims the opposite: exercise and media use are not directly related. It used to be normal for children to play outside; Unfortunately, this is much less the case these days. It a not an unimportant reason.

Another reason could be that children and young people are increasingly being driven to school or leisure activities by car.

At the “Moving Children” congress, experts now want to discuss what measures need to be taken to ensure more exercise among children. Lack of exercise and poor nutrition can have serious long-term consequences. Here are tips on how to motivate children to exercise more.

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Too Little Exercise: Are Children and Young People Becoming Sluggish and Fat?

From bed to school and from there in front of the screen: the image of lazy youth is widespread. How dramatic is the situation really? From bed to school and from there in front of the screen: the image of lazy youth is widespread. How dramatic is the situation really?

Mom and Dad’s Fears

Gunar Senf from the Faculty of Education at the University of Leipzig has done a lot of research in this area. The author of the book finds that there are definitely deficits. “Some children move too little and sit too much in front of the computer or smartphone.” Unfortunately, that always has something to do with the fear of the parents. “Many are overly cautious.”

dr Heinz Krombholz, on the other hand, describes the research on mobility in children and adolescents as “confusing”. For the scientific employee at the State Institute for Early Education (IFP) in Munich, one thing is certain: the situation is not as threatening as is often publicized – quite the opposite. “Look around the streets. The children ride bikes, skateboard or balance on the slackline.” Of course there would also be children who move less than others. “But it’s always been there.”

Krombholz also says: Inactivity is often not the problem of the children, but of the parents. The attitude of mother and father shapes the movement behavior of the offspring. And a lack of exercise is often related to the socio-economic conditions in the family.

This is confirmed by Ralf Sygusch from the Institute for Sports Science at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. The fact that children nowadays are just lazy couch potatoes because of media use is “total nonsense”. “Children can do both: run around all day and use their smartphone in the evening.” Sygusch also thinks that the parents are responsible. “You have to set an example.” Too much control and a meticulously planned daily routine tend to be counterproductive. “In principle, however, we are a long way from parents restricting their children’s range of motion.”

Bad feeling

But there seem to be some overly concerned parents. A survey by the opinion research institute YouGov reveals how strongly people think about security. Among other things, half of the 1002 mothers and fathers surveyed stated that they only allowed their offspring to play unsupervised on their own property or in the immediate vicinity. In addition, every second person gets a queasy feeling when the offspring steps outside the door alone.

Some companies are therefore sensing big business: Concerned parents can order the “Where is Lilly” tracking watch for 159 euros, among other things. Originally intended as a tracking device for pets, the inventors have extended the radius of action to include the offspring. The device description provides additional breeding ground for overly cautious parents: “Especially in today’s world, it is important to offer parents and their children security. Who is there when you need to buy something quickly and your child wants to continue playing in the garden?”

Comment by editor Irmtraud Fenn-Nebel: Wrong care – when parents exaggerate

On the one hand, it sounds stereotypical: “Today’s” children are only attached to their smartphones and are becoming short-sighted, addicted, fat, stupid and lazy. On the other hand, digital devices and the Internet are here and “today’s” parents have a hard time finding the right balance in dealing with them. But does that justify a development that can be observed at the same time: What makes them helicopter parents who constantly circle over their dear little ones under the mistaken assumption that they have to bear everything with them?

Yes, viewed objectively, the challenges of the digitized world cannot be compared with what today’s 30-year-olds grew up with. And those who are even older have different experiences. Diverting streams in the forest, watching “Daktari”, schoolbags in the corner at lunchtime and off to wherever. When the conversation turns to “in the past,” the wild dogs of yesteryear outdo each other with tales of great freedom and daring activities.

Why don’t they begrudge their own children that, why don’t they trust them? Flashback: When the child was born, it had cute, healthy feet. How happy you were about your first steps! This went well until the educators remembered their care and deprived the offspring of their mobility. Note: A child must have a smartphone, everyone has one, they just stare at it.

How about if everyone in the class gave up and took a digital break? It would be worth a try. But that doesn’t mean that the child will cycle anywhere in the time gained. It would have to be up the hill! And this traffic! unreasonable. Daddy/Mommy drive. They like to focus their day on child care. Now it sits with its healthy feet in the car, better: helicopter. And in the trap, because some wild dogs from back then simply overdid it in their 180-degree turn.

Comment Peter Groscurth: Upbringing problems? Superfluous discussion!

Listless, overweight children and strident parents who look after their offspring in a rushed and aggressive manner. Pictures as they are currently being used.

Morals seem to be declining. A wise man puts it: “Young people nowadays love luxury. They have bad manners, despise authority, have no respect for older people and gossip about where they should work. Young people no longer get up when older people leave the room They contradict their parents, rant in society, devour sweets at the table, cross their legs and bully their teachers.”

Is it really like that? What. Parents also take care of their children nowadays – and they just buck from time to time. But many see it differently: their own behavior – earlier in puberty – is all too quickly glorified.
There is constant noise and scolding. If children are not interested in sports, our country collapses. If they do without tablets and the like, our business location is threatened with existence as a developing country in the future.
In the 80s there was the supposedly constantly playing video game generation (on the Commodore 64 or Atari). And today? Today she is doing her job well and cheerfully, is efficient and raises her own children.
Why this outcry? Usually hyperactive psychologists or life coaches, who greedily write bitterly angry books and gossip on talk shows… May their works, dust-attracting, be outmoded on the shelves.

By the way, the quote from the clever man is more than 2400 years old and came from the mouth of the philosopher Socrates. Since this misanalysis, the earth has continued to rotate surprisingly cheerfully, including all human generations on it – almost as beautiful as helicopter parents, if they existed.

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Recommendation for Children Pocket Money

How much pocket money should a child get? Housewives recommend their pocket money for children from 5 to 24 years of age. Opinions have long been divided on how much pocket money one should give children. As a point of reference, we have therefore collected the recommendation for pocket money in this article.

How much pocket money do children get?

A child’s pocket money depends mainly on their age, the environment, and their costs. Pocket money in particular at the age of 16 is a sensitive issue. That’s why we’re giving you some advice on what to look out for. In the following list, you will therefore find valuable tips on how to find out the perfect pocket money. Also, note the guide on How to save during school time.

1. Children up to 5 years

At this age, dealing with money is not yet developed, which is why you should be given little or no pocket money. The recommendation for pocket money is 1 euro per month, which is completely sufficient here.

2. Children pocket money from 6-9 years

At this age, most children ask for their first real pocket money. This should also be granted to you, but one should not overdo it. It is best to start with 4 euros and increase the children’s pocket money by 2 or 3 euros every year.

3. Pocket money from 10-12 years

Most children start middle school at this age and feel grown-up. For this reason, it is advisable to give them 15-20 euros a month from now on. This is enough to buy something of your choice at the school kiosk or on the way home.

4. Children 13-15 years old

Money management is becoming more and more important, so while they should be given a little more money, they should also be encouraged to manage their own money. The pocket money recommendation here is 25-30 euros per month.

5. Adolescents aged 16

When it comes to pocket money for young people aged 16, it is important whether the child goes to secondary school or starts a job. If the child decides to go to school, he should be given 100 euros a month, which should also be used to finance his lunch at school. If the child decides to go to work and earns its first money itself and actually no longer needs any money from its parents. Here you should not go higher than 45 euros.

6. Pocket money for young people aged 17

Most young people start saving for a driver’s license and a car and of course hope for the support of their parents. The recommendation here is to either finance the child’s driver’s license in one fell swoop or to increase their pocket money a little.

Depending on your choice, the money can vary from 100-150 euros. However, this only applies if the child has embarked on a school path. Apprentices usually have enough money to finance their driver’s licenses themselves.

7. Young adults aged 18-19

Actually, 18-year-olds are of legal age and are no longer children. They should still be supported financially as most have yet to find a foothold in the working world. However, one should not increase the pocket money so that you are in a hurry to earn your own money. The recommendation here is still 100-125 euros. However, once they have found a job, it is no longer advisable to give them pocket money.

8. Adult children up to 25 years old

It looks different from point 7 when the children decide to study. If necessary, they should be given financial support for their studies. However, how much support you get is up to you and depends on where and how long the adult is now studying. Here it is best to arrange the pocket money with your child personally. Also, note our guide on how to master homework independently and without stress.

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Food

Arsenic in Rice: You Should Pay Attention to This When Feeding Your Children

In fact, everyone knows that arsenic is poisonous. But did you know that the toxin is also found in rice? In this article you will find out what dangers the substance poses to children.

How does arsenic get into rice?

Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in the ground – more or less often depending on geological conditions. Types of grain, including rice plants, absorb arsenic compounds through their roots. These get into the fruit via the metabolism.

Rice is grown in flooded fields because it thrives best in wet, humid conditions. More arsenic ends up in the rice plants via the water than in other cereals that are cultivated dry.

How much arsenic ends up on the consumer’s plate depends not only on the regional soil conditions, but also on the processing of the rice grains. Because the arsenic settles in particular on the edge of the grains.

How much arsenic does rice contain?

Consumers cannot see how much arsenic the purchased rice contains. According to the BfR, the amount of rice that an adult can eat without causing health problems has not yet been researched.

According to the Federal Institute, the average amounts of arsenic in white rice are between 0.1 and 0.2 milligrams per kilogram. Brown, so-called natural rice, contains more inorganic arsenic because the outer layers are largely removed from white rice. Higher amounts than in white rice were also measured in rice cakes and rice flakes.

Is that why children are not allowed to eat rice?

The BfR assessment, according to which it is not very likely that the consumption of rice leads to health risks, applies to all age groups: adults, the elderly as well as children and infants.

Nevertheless, the BfR recommends parents not to feed their infants and small children exclusively with rice-based drinks or complementary foods such as rice porridge. According to the experts, products such as rice cakes should also vary with snacks without rice.

In addition, the BfR points out that rice-based baby food does not meet the needs of infants anyway due to the unsuitable nutrient composition.

Does washing rice help?

It is difficult to wash out the arsenic compounds from finished products such as rice porridge or rice snacks.

For rice itself, the BfR recommends washing it in plenty of water and boiling it immediately before consumption. In the case of rice with small amounts of arsenic, some of this can migrate into the water.
The cooking water should be poured off immediately after cooking.

Arsenic-free rice coming soon?

In a study published in spring, a Chinese research team, including scientists from the University of Heidelberg, succeeded in finding a travel plant that defies dangerous arsenic.

The researchers exposed over 4,000 rice varieties to arsenic-containing water and observed their growth. Only one of the examined plants with the name “astol1” proved to be tolerant to the toxic metalloid.

The plant develops the amino acid cysteine, which is an important element for the plant’s own development of phytochelatins. These substances have a detoxifying effect and are formed by plants in response to pollutants. The neutralized arsenic is stored in the roots of the plant before it reaches the rice grains and can become dangerous to humans. Scientists consider this plant particularly suitable for agricultural use.

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Obesity in Children: Triggers and Treatment of Obesity

The widespread disease of obesity does not stop at children. The causes are completely different. Health problems should be prevented at all costs.

Beware of obesity: Identifying obesity in children and possible causes of obesity

Determining the Body Mass Index (BMI) helps to determine whether children are already overweight. There is also an extra measure for boys and a measure for girls, since the growth curves of the two sexes differ. You can find the exact instructions for determining the BMI and the BMI calculator on the website of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA). However, if you are unsure about your own calculations, you should definitely consult a pediatrician.

There are many possible reasons for obesity in children. Lifestyle and eating habits often play a decisive role. In our fast-moving society, ready meals or fast food are often used, which usually contain more fat, salt or sugar. The classic, conscious and valued family meals, on the other hand, are on the decline. Children, in particular, unknowingly consume far more calories when ready meals or fast food end up on the table. Especially since various ingredients in such foods lead to a kind of addiction and children – but also adults – can end up in a vicious circle, as a study by the University of Austin shows. Since the substances in the food “fool” the body with a feeling of happiness, it demands fast food more and more often. The result: More consumption increases weight.

Snacking on sugary and fatty snacks and lack of exercise are other reasons for obesity. Sweet soft drinks such as cola or lemonade are often underestimated as the secret cause of obesity in children. There is a lot of hidden sugar in these drinks. Illnesses, psychological problems or the use of medication can also be possible causes of obesity in children. Furthermore, it can also be due to the hereditary material and genetics, as well as to previous gestational diabetes in the mother.

What are the consequences of obesity for children and what is the best way to counteract them?

If the child is overweight due to their living and eating habits, the bad habits and the associated consequences can drag on into adulthood and the person will have problems with the consequences of early childhood imprinting for the rest of their lives. Children from socially disadvantaged families and children with a migration background are more often overweight than children who grow up in stable family circumstances.

Already a quarter of obese – i.e. very overweight – children have problems with their sugar metabolism. You are on the way to developing type 2 diabetes at a young age. In addition, the liver and fat levels in the blood are usually increased, and blood pressure is much too high. Knee and back problems, arthrosis and strokes can also be health consequences of being overweight. Being overweight also increases the risk of heart attack, sleep apnea and various types of cancer. Because of all these risk factors, children who are obese and remain obese into adulthood have a lower life expectancy than people who are not overweight.

An energy balance should be created to optimally combat obesity. This means that more calories should not be taken in that are not ultimately used. The be-all and end-all for long-term success is regular and frequent exercise. Here, the BZgA recommends 90 minutes a day for children and differentiates between sport and everyday exercise. Endurance sports such as swimming and cycling are easy on the joints and very effective. A change in diet is also essential on the road to success. Above all, the avoidance of industrial sugar should be aimed at. An optimized, healthy mixed diet can lead to a healthy life in the long term. Since children who are used to sugar and greasy food can rarely be persuaded to eat healthily, it is advisable to consult an appropriate nutrition guide.

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Lifestyle

Tips and Rules for Handling Money for Children

Dealing with money for children is basically an important skill in today’s everyday life in order to get along with society. The child first has to learn that the money doesn’t just come from the ATM.

It is crucial to teach the child how to save or earn money. This is the only way the money can be spent as sensibly as possible. It is important for the parents to explain to the child as early as possible how the connections are made and where the money comes from.

Explain the connections

Children do not yet know that money cannot be spent indefinitely. At first, some questions are relatively easy to answer. The aim is to teach the child how to handle money responsibly. Nevertheless, it is important that the children make their own experiences with money. The child should therefore be given the opportunity to have their own budget. If you consult experts on this topic, pocket money is recommended.

The phenomenon of money

Money is a real phenomenon for a child. The child must first learn and grasp what it means to pay money and the benefits of saving money. The child should of course be allowed to be a child for as long as possible, so it is important not to overwhelm the offspring. Nevertheless, the little ones have to be prepared for growing up later, which should not be missed. Dealing with the money and the associated rules are part of it.

Savings account for the child

The money does not always have to be spent immediately, so it is advisable to open a savings account for the child. In this way, the child can save money and possibly fulfill a bigger wish from time to time. A savings account is therefore ideal in addition to a piggy bank. Bringing money to the bank is particularly exciting for children because it is a real experience. After all, there is even interest in the form of additional money. Depending on the case, certain framework conditions also play a role in the corresponding savings products for children.

Use different investment opportunities

There are free variants for the complex, which are interesting for children. In addition, the bank usually offers a special service for the little ones. It is also an interesting experience for the child to visit a bank branch and see it from the inside. That way it gets a better idea of ​​money. There are classic savings accounts that yield relatively little interest, and there are other options for young teenagers, such as a so-called call money account. As a rule, the child usually always wants to have the chance to dispose of their own saved money. It is therefore not suitable for her to choose a fixed term. With teenagers, however, all banking transactions should always be carried out under the supervision of their parents.

Pocket money for the children

Regular pocket money can also bring the child closer to handling money and introduce it to it. It is the responsibility of the parents how much pocket money it will be and of course, it depends on the parents’ own financial situation, which should be used as a guide. The pocket money is best staggered, depending on the age and maturity of the child. Depending on the needs of the child are to be included accordingly.

Six-year-old children have different wishes than, for example, sixteen-year-old teenagers. Therefore, it is also important to keep an overview of pocket money on a monthly basis. Pocket money should be paid to the child weekly if possible. Youth welfare offices provide guidance in the form of tables, such as:

  • 6 years: 50 cents a week
  • 6-7 years: 1.5-2 euros per week
  • 8-9 years: 2-3 euros per week
  • 10-11 years: 13-16 euros per month
  • 12-13 years: 20-22 euros per month
  • 14 to 15 years: 25-30 euros per month

  • 16-17 years: 35-45 euros per month
  • from 18 years: approx. 70 euros per month

Depending on what expenses the child should have, this is of course also related to the amount of pocket money. This means that the question arises as to how much pocket money has to be or what has to be paid for with this money. After all, the child should know which costs are covered and which are not. Incidentally, pocket money is not intended to be used by the child to pay for sporting activities or their own food or school supplies, because the parents should continue to bear these costs. First and foremost, the pocket money is not there to buy toys or sweets in everyday life.

Pocket money is not leverage

As far as the child’s psyche is concerned in terms of pocket money, the pocket money should never be used by the parents as a means of pressure on the child, because this does not make pedagogical sense. If pocket money is given, it should not be related to the behavior of the child. It is therefore neither an instrument of punishment nor of reward.

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Lifestyle

New Books for Children and Little Bookworms

Do your children love it when you read them stories or look at picture books with them? But you don’t always want to read the same books or buy new books every week? Then the solution is very simple! Visit a library, alone or with your children, and borrow the books.

Children’s libraries

Many libraries offer a large selection of good children’s and youth books but also picture books for the little ones. Borrowing has many advantages: You can always offer your children new reading material that is tailored to their interests (which can change quickly with children). Especially with small children, it is often not worthwhile to buy many books yourself, since the enthusiasm for a book usually does not last that long. Once you’ve bought the book, it quickly sits on the shelf unnoticed.

Benefits of borrowing books

Your child can also learn to take care of someone else’s property because after all, other children also want to read the books from the library. Last but not least, you save a lot of money, since borrowing is usually free of charge and usually only an annual fee has to be paid to the library – and even this is low for small children, in some libraries children can even borrow books for free.

Children’s media in libraries

By the way: most libraries not only lend out books but also DVDs, CDs, and computer games – which should be interesting for older children.

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