We hear how important a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and rest is essential for adults today, but it should also play a huge role in our children’s lifestyle. Obesity in children is becoming a world wide problem and fitness within our youth needs to be addressed.
Children today spend more time watching television, playing video and computer games rather than being physically active. Whatever happened to the good old days when we had to walk or ride our bikes to go down to the local market for a simple pack of chewing gum? Now our children are hopping on their electric scooters and heading down to the nearby fast food restaurant to load up on fries and soda because they skipped breakfast or lunch that day.
It has been suggested by experts today that children spend 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. Physical Education in school may cover close to 30 minutes of exercise for students but it’s safe to say that when the homework is completed, the kids should focus at least 30 minutes on activities such as walking fast, riding a bike, jumping rope, dancing, playing basketball or even hitting the local gym if they are 12 years of age or older.
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. A higher BMI (body mass index) can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases leading into adulthood. Overweight children are more prone to have low self esteem, be stressed, and emotional.
Below are some tips for Parents on Children’s Fitness:
1) BREAKFAST, BREAKFAST, BREAKFAST!!!! I can’t stress enough the importance of starting off the day with a healthy meal. This will give your children the energy to be better listeners and thinkers in school.
2) Make sure your child’s nutrition carries a wide variety of foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy product, and lean meats.
3) Plan ahead!!! Prepare meals ahead of time for a quick grab and go on those hectic days of running around.
4) Your child might be more willing to eat what’s set out in front of them if they took an active role in planning and preparing it with you.
5) Cook with less fat and bake or grill your foods instead of frying them.
6) Limit the sugar in your child’s regime. Have them drink water or low fat milk instead of soda and fruit juices.
7) BE A ROLE MODEL!!! If your children see you being active and eating healthy, they are more likely to follow your example throughout their lives.
Remember, a healthy lifestyle for your child starts with you, the parent!!!