Supporting Physical Wellness for Indiana’s Kids

The first in a series on children, youth, and the Eight Dimensions of Wellness 

by Tami Silverman, President & CEO of Indiana Youth Institute 

What does it mean for a child to be well? 

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), while developed for adults, offer a useful way to think about this question. These interconnected dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, financial, occupational, and spiritual—can help us understand how children and adolescents grow, learn, and thrive.  

Wellness in one dimension often strengthens others as well. Think about sleep and a child’s wellness. Getting enough sleep supports physical health. It also can enhance concentration, emotions, and relationships.  

Over the coming months, we will explore each of these dimensions and what they mean for Indiana’s children and youth. 

When we hear the word “wellness”, many of us first think about physical health. So physical wellness is a natural place to begin. For children, that means building healthy habits around movement, nutritious food, sleep, and daily routines that support their growing bodies.  

Recent Indiana data underscores why these habits matter. According to the latest analysis of child weight trends in central Indiana, more than one in five children ages 2 to 19 are living with obesity, and nearly four in ten are overweight or obese. Among children ages 2 to 5, obesity prevalence between 2014 and 2023 increased by 83%. These trends remind us that physical wellness begins long before adulthood.  

The goal is for us to help children build healthy habits that allow them to play, compete, learn, grow, and take part fully in the activities that matter to them. Those habits develop over time, and what children need from the adults and organizations around them changes as they grow.  

Physical wellness is less about occasional big decisions and more about supporting everyday routines. The habits children develop around movement, sleep, nutrition, and screen use become the foundation for other dimensions of wellness as well.  

Young children: Adults in their lives establish most routines at this age. 

• Make active play part of every day. Playing outside, walking, dancing, and riding bikes all get children moving. 

• Introduce a variety of nutritious foods. Let children help choose colorful fruits and vegetables or prepare simple parts of a meal. 

• Build consistent bedtime routines and protect time for sleep. 

• Keep screens from replacing active play, sleep, and interaction with other people. 

School-age children: Children can begin taking a larger role in their health. 

• Help them find movement they enjoy. Organized sports are one option, but so are playgrounds, bikes, dancing, hiking, and active games. 

• Invite them to help plan or prepare meals and snacks. 

• Maintain consistent sleep routines, even as school, activities, and homework compete for time. 

• Set reasonable screen boundaries and create screen-free times, such as during meals and before bedtime. 

Teenagers: Independence increases, but healthy routines still need support. 

• Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  

• Make nutritious foods available and involve teens in shopping, cooking, and meal planning. 

• Protect sleep as school, work, sports, and other activities make schedules busier. 

• Talk with teens about how screen use can compete with sleep, physical activity, and in-person relationships. 

None of this means responsibility rests with parents alone. 

Families make choices within the options available to them. Research points to access to nutritious food, neighborhood safety, sleep, and opportunities for physical activity as factors that shape children’s health. However, healthy foods may be difficult to find or afford, especially as food costs rise. Some neighborhoods lack sidewalks, parks, or safe places for children to play. Work schedules can complicate family meals and bedtime routines.  

That means we all have a role. Families can build healthy routines. Schools can provide nutritious food and opportunities to move. Coaches, teachers, mentors, and youth workers can reinforce healthy habits. Out-of-school programs can incorporate active play and healthy snacks. Community leaders can invest in safe places for children to be active.  

For youth workers, educators, coaches, mentors, and others who have devoted their careers to helping children and youth thrive, there is an opportunity to explore these ideas together. Indiana Youth Institute’s KIDS COUNT Conference, November 2-3 in Indianapolis, will focus on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. As Indiana’s largest gathering of youth-serving professionals, the conference will bring together people from across the state to learn, connect, and strengthen the ways we support young people. Registration is open now.  

Physical wellness is only one dimension of well-being, but it is an important foundation. The healthy habits children develop today can influence opportunities and outcomes for years to come. By creating environments that support physical wellness, we help young people build the foundation they need to thrive. In the months ahead, we’ll explore how the other dimensions of wellness work together to support the healthy development of Indiana’s children and youth. 

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