How To Help Your Kids Combine Nutrition And Physical Activity
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Obesity and overweight kids has become more and more common over time. As technology has continued to advance, kids are becoming increasingly lazy. Instead of getting out and playing, kids are reverting to the television, video games and the computer. Between kids fitness and nutrition, it is up to you to help out.
It is vital you help your kids combine a healthy diet with a variety of physical activities. It is up to you to encourage your kids to become active and live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Only then will they begin to realize the importance of living a life full of healthy habits.
First, organize specific activities that your kids can participate in. Encourage them to do as many activities as possible that are right for their age. Not only will they get the much needed exercise, but they can have fun as well.
Next, establish a regular schedule for them to follow. It can be difficult to stay motivated and exercise regularly on your own. But having a schedule will allow them to get in a routine. It makes it far easier to fall into a pattern for years to come.
Along with establishing a regular schedule, try to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine as well. Things like having them take the stairs as oppose to taking the elevator can make a huge difference. You may not consider this kids exercise, but getting in the habit of these small things can make a difference in the long run.
Kids tend to look up to their parents and view them as role models. As with everything else in life, living a healthy lifestyle is no different. Embrace a healthy lifestyle yourself to give your kids a reason to live one as well. Try to work out three to four times a week and eat healthy meals.
As far as nutrition goes, include a vegetable or fruit in every meal your kids eat. Get them in the habit of eating something healthy for every meal. Having chips and cookies in the house is not a problem for snacking. But try to include apples and oranges as well for them to eat.
Lastly, try to make everything you do as fun as possible. Show your kids that it can be fun to exercise through games and competition. It is far easier to stick to something if it is fun. It is up to you to help make things as fun as possible for them.
Denise Nero helps children like yours regain their health by following
simple tips that don’t take a lot of time. Go to http://www.fitnessandkids.com and sign up to receive more children’s health and fitness tips.
Obesity and overweight kids has become more and more common over
time. As technology has continued to advance, kids are becoming increasingly lazy. Between kids fitness and nutrition, it is up to you to help out.
Parents and educators are concerned about the surges in childhood obesity rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that childhood obesity rates climbed at alarming rates from the early 70s until today. The results of a National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys illustrate the seriousness of the problem:
. Among preschool-aged children, aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0% to 13.9%.
. Among school-aged children, aged 6–11 years, the prevalence of overweight
increased from 4.0% to 18.8%.
. Among school-aged adolescents, aged 12–19 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 6.1% to 17.4%.
We have all heard the numbers. The question is “What are we going to do about it?” To some, this question seems challenging. Not many 7-year-olds are interested in going to a thrice-weekly aerobics class. The key is getting children to be active without calling it “exercise.” Too many children spend hours in front of a television screen—time that is mostly wasted.
Here are some tips on how to get your child to enjoy activity at any age:
Preschoolers:
1. Go old school. Teach them the games you loved as a child. “Freeze Tag” is still a winner among preschoolers. Don’t forget about such fun games as “Hide and Seek” and “Red Rover.” Play with them and their friends.
2. Dance, dance, dance. Young children will love drawing a crowd when they show of their latest moves. Play fun music that will keep them moving and grooving all day!
3. Take an adventure walk in a park. Point out certain plants and animals (even the creepy, crawly ones).
School-aged children:
1. Organize a sporting competition in your own backyard. Find out what the child’s peer group likes best, whether it is basketball or stickball. Most everyone has some type of sporting equipment. Divide the children into teams for fun play!
2. Take a scavenger hunt. Make a list of items the children will need to find around the neighborhood or at a local park. Set at time limit to keep the kids hopping!
You can reward the winning team.
3. Have your own field day. Include activities such as dodge ball, sack races and three-legged sprints. You can have kids create their own field day events using items from around the house (How do you think the idea of running with an egg on a spoon happened?).
4. Go to the playground. Kids have enjoyed swings, slides and funhouses for
decades. Many modern public playgrounds include more than monkey bars.
Newer designs include activates that will improve flexibility and endurance.
Preteens and teens:
1. Encourage any interest in a sport the child enjoys. A child may seem too
overweight to handle the physical demands of a sport, but let them try. With your support, he or she may just work hard enough to get into better shape.
2. Participate in a charity walk/run. At this age, children are becoming more aware of the world. They will love making a difference and raising money for a worthy cause.
3. Spend time helping others. This is another way to get physical and make a
difference. Paint an elderly person’s home. Wash cars to raise money for a good cause. Plant a garden.
4. Have dance competition. Dancing is a fun activity that burns calories for children of all ages (and adults, too). Allow the teens to choose their own music (within reason). If you don’t want the teens to compete, just have a dance.
Parents and teachers should set a good example for children of all ages. Instead of turning on the television or putting in video games on a rainy day, encourage any type of activity.
Even the simplest craft project can help break the habit of sitting in front of a television for hours at time. Let children know about your physical activities. They would love to hear how you clobbered your sister at tennis the night before and worked up a good sweat!
Most importantly, give them room to be imperfect. Encourage them to be better without belittling who they are. A child may truly feel like he or she can’t participate in activity. You can let them know they can. A kind word can go a long way with a child.