Healthy Habits for Children: Leveraging Existing Evidence to Demonstrate Value

Andrew C Persch; Amy J Lamb; Christina A Metzler; Mary A Fristad

doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.694001

Healthy Habits for Children: Leveraging Existing Evidence to Demonstrate Value

Am J Occup Ther. 2015 Jul-Aug;69(4):6904090010p1-5. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.694001.

Authors

Andrew C Persch¹, Amy J Lamb², Christina A Metzler³, Mary A Fristad⁴

Affiliations

¹ Andrew C. Persch, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus; andrew.persch@osumc.edu.
² Amy J. Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor and Program Director, Occupational Therapy Program, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.
³ Christina A. Metzler is Chief Public Affairs Officer, American Occupational Therapy Association, Bethesda, MD.
⁴ Mary A. Fristad, PhD, ABPP, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Psychology, and Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus.

PMID: 26114454
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2015.694001

Abstract

Healthy habits is a psychoeducational construct that refers to the preventive practice of analyzing and then adapting the sleep, physical, and eating routines of children in ways that enhance health and well-being. This approach is based on evidence that demonstrates the positive therapeutic value of engaging in proactive, healthful behaviors. In addressing healthy habits, occupational therapy practitioners have an opportunity to contribute to the Triple Aim of health care reform while demonstrating the value of occupational therapy in educational, medical, community, and other settings.

MeSH terms

Child
Feeding Behavior*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Motor Activity*
Occupational Therapy*
Sleep*