September is many things, including the end of summer and the beginning of fall, but to the Health and Wellness Council, September marks the observance of Healthy Aging Month as well as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
Tips for healthy aging
No matter your age or fitness level, it’s never too late to start living your healthiest life. Here are five actions you can take to kickstart your health journey.
1. Enlist a coach
If you have a BAE Systems Cigna medical plan, you can receive complimentary and confidential one-on-one health coaching from health professionals on a variety of topics, including:
- Managing your weight using a non-diet approach
- Developing coping strategies to manage conditions like asthma, diabetes, depression, or stress
- Implementing healthy eating habits and improved nutrition
- Understanding and managing conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Creating a plan to increase your physical activity
Your health coach is only a call away. To get started, call Cigna at 1-800-530-1314.
2. See your Primary Care Provider (PCP) at least once a year
And while you’re there, make sure you ask for preventive screenings appropriate for your age and gender. Even if you’re feeling fantastic, getting your preventive care at the right time can help you take control of your health by detecting any potential health problems in their early stages, and preventing certain illnesses and health conditions from happening or worsening.
Remember, preventive screenings are 100% covered within the network if you have a BAE Systems medical plan.
3. Get physical
Being active is one of the most important things you can do for your health at any age. Physical activity keeps your body strong, and it helps with how you feel. It can be anything from walking to gardening to working out at the gym. The important thing is to be consistent in whatever activity you choose, whether it’s walking for ten minutes every day at lunch, or tackling that Century ride.
4. Eat nutritious food
Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and low-fat dairy foods. Avoid salty foods and foods with a lot of fat in them. You don’t have to be perfect, but try to eat healthy 80% of the time. Here are some healthy eating facts and resources you can use to start eating healthy today.
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5. Quit tobacco
It’s a hard habit to kick, but it’s not doing any favors for your health. When you’re ready to quit, the EX Program is here to help you on your quit journey.
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month as a time to raise awareness about preventing childhood obesity. Today, about 7 in 10 adults – and about 4 in 10 children and teens – are overweight or have obesity.
Healthy eating is important at every age. You can help your child make healthy choices and learn healthy habits, like eating healthy and being physically active, but what’s most important is that YOU model those behaviors. Parents and caregivers often serve as role models for children, and if you tend to eat healthy foods and commit to staying physically active, there’s a high likelihood your child will, too.
You can help your child stay at a healthy weight by encouraging and modeling healthy eating and physical activity. Two of the best ways to help your child stay at a healthy weight are to:
For kids who are overweight or have obesity, the goal is to slow down weight gain while still allowing for healthy growth and development. You can do this by helping kids:
- Get regular physical activity
- Enjoy a variety of healthy foods from each food group, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and protein
- See you making healthy choices, like eating crunchy vegetables instead of chips, or drinking water instead of soda
- Limit foods and drinks that have a lot of calories, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat
- Offer non-food rewards, like extra screen time
Healthy eating resources
The healthy habits your child learns now can last a lifetime. Lean on these resources to help you and your family eat more healthfully.