Help to look after your physical health

Keeping active, drinking enough water and eating well all help children and young people stay healthy and feel their best. 

You can find simple, practical advice for families, including information tailored for children and young people with SEND:

• NHS Healthier Families
• Be Body Positive

Being active and exercising 

Regular movement is good for the body and the mind. Children and young people with disabilities often face more barriers to getting active. 

Being active can bring lots of benefits, such as: 

• stronger muscles and better coordination 
• improved confidence and focus 
• opportunities to meet others and build social skills 

Leisure centres across Walsall offer a variety of ways to get active.

NHS Healthier Families includes ideas for making activities more accessible, plus fun indoor games for days when getting outside isn’t possible. 

Eating well

Many of us eat more sugar, fat and salt than we realise, especially if we eat ultra‑processed foods. 

Small, simple changes can make a big difference.

The Healthier Families website includes helpful guides on: 

• healthier food swaps
• healthier snack ideas
• getting your 5-a-day 
• understanding sugar, salt and fat 

Because children grow at different speeds, it can be hard to judge whether they are getting the right balance of foods. The website also includes tools to help check your child’s weight and offers advice if you have concerns. 

Staying hydrated

Drinking enough fluids helps children stay alert, feel good, and avoid dehydration. The general advice is to aim for 6 to 8 drinks a day. This is as well as the fluids you get from food.

Healthier choices include: 

• water 
• lower-fat milk 
• lower-sugar drinks (including tea or coffee for older children/teens) 

Try to limit sugary drinks as they contain lots of calories and can cause tooth decay. Even natural fruit juices and smoothies contain sugar, so aim for no more than 150ml (a small glass) per day. 

Children may need more to drink in hot weather or when they are active. 

ARFID 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is when a child avoids certain foods or eats only a very small range.  

This can be due to sensory issues (such as taste, texture or smell), past negative experiences with food, or simply a low interest in eating. 

This can make eating a balanced diet more challenging. Some foods, like apples, vary a lot in texture and taste, which can make them feel unpredictable. Other foods, such as biscuits, stay the same each time, which may feel more comfortable for children with sensory sensitivities. 

Be Body Positive has helpful tips for introducing new foods and more information about selective or restrictive eating. 

NHS Food Scanner app 

The NHS Food Scanner app helps families choose healthier food and drink options. Scan the barcode of your favourite products to see the levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, and discover healthier swaps. 

It’s an easy way to make small changes when shopping that can have a big impact over time.