Action Steps to Improve Nutrition
and Physical Activity
Increase opportunities and support for
healthy eating within families, schools,
and communities
Families
n Encourage families to eat meals together. Parental
presence at mealtimes predicts higher intakes
of fruits and vegetables, while lowering soda
consumption.xxvi Regular family meals also play a
protective role for extreme weight control
behaviors in adolescent girls.xxvii
n Encourage adolescents to receive the sleep that
they need through individual and family education.
Sleep deprivation is linked with increased appetite,