Childhood obesity has become a worrying epidemic in western developed countries. And it’s not their fault. The responsibility for this healthcare time bomb lies with us, the older generation who have allowed and even encouraged sedentary lifestyles and over-indulgence in fast, fattening food.
If you are a parent, like me, you will be as concerned as I am that your children are eating healthily and they’re getting enough exercise. Here in the UK the government are so concerned by the obesity epidemic they have started a public information campaign in which they are encouraging parents and carers to indulge in at least sixty minutes of activity every day.
It’s probably hard for many to believe that lots of children don’t get this much routine exercise. But when you stop to think about how the world has changed its not such a big surprise. Many schools don’t have the active play times that I certainly enjoyed during my school days and for many children play means sitting in front of a computer screen playing networked shoot-em-up games. The only exercise they are getting is their thumbs.
Children need to do at least sixty minutes of vigorous activity that gets their hearts beating faster every day. And the best way to encourage this kind of activity is to set a good example by getting plenty of exercise yourself.
I think it is easier with younger children. Buy them a good swing set or garden play system and then get out there with them. They love it when their parents make a fool of themselves on the swings and slides. Let them have friends over whenever they can and teach them some of the games you used to play as children.
The task becomes increasingly difficult as children get older and grow into teenagers. How can you encourage your 13 year old daughter who has decided to become a goth, dyed her hair black, painted her nails black and her face white to be more active? This is the problem I recently had to deal with as my daughter was becoming increasingly overweight and nothing we could do would prompt her to leave her room and be more active.
I finally resorted to asking a few of her close friends what they did to remain fit and trim and it turned out that several of them went horse riding at least twice a week. I told them how I was worried about my daughter and they offered to ask her to come along with them. She has now been learning to ride for over two months and the exercise and fresh air are clearly beneficial. She is much happier, less inclined to lock herself away in her room and regularly talks excitedly about the fun she has at the stables. Now all I need to do is encourage her not to wear quite so much black.
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