The Children’s Act 2014

In 2003 a government initiative was launched in England and Wales. ECM (every child matters) was in response to the death of Victoria Climbie.

Victoria Climbie was an eight years old girl who was tortured and murdered by her guardians. Victoria didn’t have a healthy lifestyle which led to her tragic death. A public enquiry was led and major changes had taken place in child protection policies. Although her guardians were charged, new laws would mean there would be no repetition in the future.

The five points for every child matters.

1. Stay safe
2. Health
3. Enjoy and achieve
4. Economic well being
5. Positive construction

ECM covers those with disabilities (up to the age of 24), children and young adults (up to the age of 19.)

A healthy lifestyle is making one’s own life happy. Its not just eating healthy food and exercising but includes mental and social wellbeing. A healthy lifestyle is very important for both adults and children. If parents eat, sleep and live healthy then the children will acquire the same habits which undoubtedly will lead a child to grow up healthy and happy. It is also the right of every child to be able to live a healthy lifestyle in order for them to achieve positive outcomes in their future.

In order for a person to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent chronic illness, they should aim to eat healthy food, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy BMI.

Exercise

For healthy growth and development of babies, toddlers and preschool being physically active is very important for their health and to prevent illnesses.

Exercising is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle for both children and adults, if parents integrate into their own lives this will then follow through to the future generations.

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Babies

Encourage babies from birth to play on the floor, this will lead to head movements, pulling, pushing and movements of body and limbs, and this is a good form of daily exercise. (CDC)

Toddlers

Three hours is the recommended time, for children who walk on their own as daily exercise. Rolling around, running and skipping are activities they could do, better still to encourage children, to play ball games, chasing and climbing frames because these activities are best for this age group.

Parents should avoid taking cars to school and encourage children to walk as a daily exercise. Other effective methods like swimming, parks or general cleaning can be done as a family. (Web MD)

BMI (body mass index)

BMI is a way of seeing if your weight is appropriate for your height. Generally the higher you’re BMI the risk of medical illnesses is also higher.

BMI under 18.5 is considered underweight, it could be someone is just slim, but if due to poor diet and nutrients it can lead to illnesses such as anaemia, bone thinning and infertility

18.5-24.9 is normal; you are having the right amount of calories for your activities

25-29.9 is overweight this could increase developing stroke, CHD, diabetes

The way to calculate BMI is by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in square metre.

57 / (1.3×1.3) =33.73 overweight

Weight height squared BMI

40/ (1.5×1.5) =17.78 underweight

Adults and children have different charts to work out BMI, as in adults there is no difference in males and females but in children there is. (Bupa)