Childhood obesity: What can you do to help?
All of us, whether or not we have children, need to be concerned about the rising rates of childhood obesity. The consequences, both to the kids and to the society that will bear the costs of a sicker population, are dire. What are the factors contributing to this troubling trend and what can we adults do to help raise the next healthy generation?
This was the topic of a recent interview I did on Ben Greenfield's Fitness podcast. You can listen to the interview here: http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2008/12/podcast-episode-24-are-you-making-your-kids-fat. (It starts about 20 minutes into the show.)
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Posted by: Grafs ATA | Dec 31, 2008 12:30:03 PM
martial arts is a great activity for children. Not only is it a great source of exercise but it helps prevent bullying.
Posted by: jenna @ foodwithkidappeal | Dec 8, 2008 2:34:39 PM
hairy topic. there are so many factors that contriubte to overweight. diet, exercise, quality of food. what i'm doing is spending more of my time buying and preparing fresh food to offer my family and sharing my ideas with other families looking for inspritation to get kids eating better. i'm fortunate though, as better food is in my budget. not all families can afford to eat fresh food as often and turn to low cost convenience foods to fill their families' bellies.
Posted by: TwinToddlersDad | Dec 7, 2008 12:30:36 AM
In a recent issue of the TIME magazine, I was surprised to hear that the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that all overweight/obese children (2 years and older) be tested for cholesterol. Do you agree with it?
Here is the link
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860289_1859836_1859841,00.html
Posted by: Marie Demers | Dec 7, 2008 12:06:00 AM
I totally disagree. Although parents are the main influence for their children, so if they want their children to eat healthy foods, then they do also. However, I think the real problem is that children don't have the opportunity to move around as much as they need to. They need more physical outlets. THEY SPEND SO MUCH TIME SITTING DOWN!!! Sitting on the bus in the morning, then all day at school (with a few breaks for recess), then after school on the bus, then while they're on the computer, or watching TV. Sure, they go outdoors for an hour or so, if we're lucky, or go to basketball practice for an hour, but the balance isn't there. Kids need more healthy food choices - (like in restaurants for the kids menus) and they need to get more opportunities to move around. But, eating healthy foods to begin with MUST happen first! That's my 2 cents!
Posted by: pierre trudel | Dec 6, 2008 12:30:05 AM
I think the main problem with obesity is at home.Parents are not often at home and they set a very poor example for children.We need to start teaching parents before we can ever hope for parents to teach children.Lets look at the real problem before we try and find the real solutions.How can we teach the kids if there home life is havock.Obesity is a social problem and lets stop blaming Mcdonalds for something they have nothing to do with.When mothers were home nutrition was high priority,what happened to mothers?Lets use babyboomers to teach parents and teachers how to help our kids.They are the last generation to have mothers at home to control what children eat and their is where the real problem is at.
Posted by: Noram | Dec 5, 2008 10:26:17 PM
I have found a good book to teach children healthy eating habits. Here is the website http://www.tommythetomato.com
