Area kids are heading back to school this week, and while they’ll be learning math, history, science, and other subjects, another area recommended to teach kids is healthy living habits.

Dr. Cody Silker, pediatrician with Guthrie County Hospital and Clinics explains the “5-2-1-0” health campaign that is stressed by local health providers and the Iowa Department of Public Health, “Really kids should be getting five fruit and vegetable servings a day, plus of course their meats and everything else; two hours or less of screen time a day, which gets a little hard nowadays with all the screen stuff; one hour of exercise, and that exercise can be even just going outside and playing. It doesn’t have to be going on the treadmill or anything obviously when they’re five, six years old.”

Silker adds another healthy habit for kids is limiting sugary drinks such as sports drinks, juices, and soda beverages. She also recommends that children get vision screenings at the start of every school year, dental screenings every six months, and for parents to keep mental health a priority as well.