9 - Promote Healthy Sleep (At least 9 hours, more for younger children)
Educate kids, parents, & caregivers about the importance of adequate sleep for good health:
- Infants 0-2 months should get 10-1/2 to 18 hours, including naps
- Infants 2-12 months should get 14-15 hours, including naps
- Children 12-18 months should get 13 to 15 hours including naps
- Children 18 months to 3 years should get 12 to 14 hours including naps
- Children 3 to 5 years should get 11 to 13 hours including naps
- Children 5 to 12 years should get 9 to 11 hours per night
- Adolescents & teens should get 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 hours per night
5 - Promote Healthy Eating (Target of 5 fruits and vegetables a day)
Educate kids, parents, & caregivers about the importance of eating five fruits and vegetables each day:
- Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables available at church functions.
- Increase the availability of healthy snacks/drinks at youth programs, vending machines, and other events.
- Integrate healthy eating messages into youth programs/classes.
2 - Limit Screen Time (Target of 2 hours or less outside of school)
Educate kids, parents, & caregivers about limiting screen time outside of school to no more than two hours each day:
- Encourage kids to read or play games.
- Increase activities that teach parents/kids healthy habits such as: healthy cooking classes, tours of local grocery stores, and exercise classes/clubs.
1- Promote Physical Activity (Target of at least 1 hour per day)
Encourage kids to get at least one hour of physical activity each day:
- Encourage parents/caregivers to set a positive example by making physical activity part of their lifestyle.
- Host family events that promote physical activities that parents/kids can enjoy together.
0 - Promote Healthy Beverages (Target of 0 sugar-added beverages per day)
Educate kids, parents, & caregivers about the importance of drinking zero beverages with sugar added:
- Encourage parents/caregivers to serve water, low-fat milk, or 100% juice with children's meals and snacks.
- Serve water, low-fat milk, or 100% juice at youth events.
How You Can Help
Faith Communities
If your faith community has a health ministry, you can tip the scales for better health by spreading the 9-5-2-1-0 for Health message and supporting the 9-5-2-1-0 for Health behaviors in your faith community. Here are some ideas for getting started.
