Child Obesity Cure: Physical Activity at an Early Age

Courtesy of HealthNewsDigest.com

An increasingly sedentary lifestyle coupled with poor food choices has led to an alarming rise in the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents. Research suggests that children aged 2-19 need to play for at least one and up to several hours a day to maintain a healthy weight. The statistics show that we are not meeting these goals.

· 16 percent of children aged 6-19 years are overweight. (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
· Being overweight as a child increases the risk of being overweight or obese as an adolescent and young adult. (Source: National Institutes of Medicine)

Basic motor skills like throwing, catching, skipping, running, and jumping improve children’s chances of growing into healthy, active adults. Basic motor skills also speed mental development, and children who acquire them early may do better in school. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential for your child’s mental and physical growth.

Parents who play with their children and actively promote a healthy lifestyle generally have healthier children than those who don’t. So what can parents do to encourage daily activity? Try some of the tips below to get started.

Tips for Getting Your Family Active

I recently commented that I had seen a video game designed to get kids to go out and play...how ridiculous is that?? Whatever you do don't waste your time or money with this type of solution. Get involved with your kids...their your kids!

Children need daily exercise regardless of the weather. Find safe places for active play indoors and out.

Give your children the tools they need to facilitate healthy activity. Provide a variety of toys and sporting goods appropriate to their age level, including:

· Balls for kicking, catching and bouncing; soft bats, rackets, nets, goals and hoops; roller skates or bicycles and safety gear; chalk or paint for outdoor use; small cones and parachutes; bubble wands; bean bags; jump ropes and hula-hoops; comfortable play clothes and sturdy shoes.

Don’t be merely an observer. Join your children in their activities for the sake of everyone’s health.

· Take a walk through the neighborhood; play catch in the backyard; spend a summer afternoon chasing each other through the sprinklers; take a trip to the local playground and devise an obstacle course on the equipment; have a bubble blowing contest; plant a garden.

· Use words your children will understand while praising their efforts. Consider their ages and begin with tasks they can easily accomplish before raising the bar. A child with the benefit of supportive coaching is more likely to thrive.

Children are born with an abundance of energy. Join them in active play and set them on the path to a healthy and happy life.