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There are so many children in the United States that are overweight and many can be classified as severely overweight or obese. We can all point the finger at who is responsible for childhood obesity, or we can take the steps necessary as a society to decrease it.
How to Decrease Childhood Obesity
Too many children spend their days in front of a computer, video game or television. They are sitting still and staring at a screen, not engaging with other children or adults. Not only does this increase the likelihood of childhood obesity, it also decreases a child's ability to handle social situations.
Children need to get some form of exercise every day. That exercise can come in many forms: a walk through the neighborhood, a game of catch or basketball or soccer, riding their bike, or simply running around in the house.
Family Fun Is Best
Children love the attention of the parents. So, if a parent expresses interest in an activity, most young children will wish to participate in that activity with the parent. My children love to go for a run with daddy or a walk around the neighborhood with mommy. They want to go into the yard with us to help weed the garden or pick up branches after a storm. All of these are different forms of exercise for our kids, yet they do not even realize it. For them, it is bonding time with mom and dad.
We have a section of our living room that the children are allowed to either run, spin, or wrestle in. We created this space (with rules for safety) in order to allow the kids to burn off energy on cold or rainy days. It has turned into an after dinner ritual for the kids to use up the last of their energy before bed with a romp in the living room. The whole family gets involved which is a great bonding experience as well as exercise for the kids.
Sports
I think it's important for children to be involved in sports. It is not for them to learn the sport, in my opinion the sport of choice does not matter. It is important for them to learn how to follow instruction, work as a team, have a goal and stick to it, and experience the joy of winning as well as the sorrow of losing.
However, many sports for youngsters have a price tag. My daughter is playing soccer this spring and between the cost of cleats, shin guards, and the cost to enroll her we are spending roughly $100 for a 2 1/2 month sport.
In today's economy, many people do not have the extra money to spend on organized sports, or the equipment that goes with it. That does not mean children should be without these sports. Pick up a ball of choice and get out there with your kid. Show them how to kick a soccer ball or throw a baseball. Shoot hoops at the local playground. Engage your child in exercise and you will gain much more than a fit child. You will gain a healthy relationship as well.
AJ, Great points. My young niece plays sports -- including soccer! That's how she's so thin while eating ice cream so often. I have to remind myself that her ice cream is helping her grow taller... and that I've mostly given it up because it just makes me grow wider:-) Running around in sports does burn up a lot of energy. blessings, Cynthia
Moderation, yes. I wonder? If it's also sometimes about growth spurts. My niece goes through times where she'll barely eat anything. And times when she eats so much it's startling! blessings, Cynthia
Good article, child obesity is a terrible problem. It breaks my heart every time I see an overweight child-sometimes really young ones. I work in a non-food retail store with a candy section and you wouldn't believe how often I see kids "bought off" with candy. I believe (some) the parents need to stop feeding kids to keep them quiet. I have three kids, been there. My step daughter is tall and skinny, in school she was told she was too skinny and should gain weight. But in the 70's she would have been considered normal.
Stacydee, you see first hand some of the problems that lead to obesity. I never leave the house without a bottle of water and healthy snack as my kids are grazers and constantly hungry. A small amount of preparation ahead of time will resolve the need to "buy off" a cranky child at the store. It's sad that healthy and fit children are being labeled too thin because schools are used to seeing heavier children.
Great article AJ. Kids these days need to get out and it is up to the parents to make sure it happens.
Another good one AJ for comment look at the other article you wrote that I commented on.
Thanks, Rob. Healthy children as well as healthy adults require two things. Healthy food and consistent exercise. It doesn't have to be intense cardio like running or formalized exercise like lifting weights. Sometimes a game of tag in the yard is best for all involved!
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