| Childhood obesity is at epidemic proportions in the | | | | follow in your footsteps. |
| United States today. The percentage of overweight | | | | 2. Allow your whole family to be active together. It's |
| children in the United States is growing at an alarming | | | | important to plan times when the whole family can get |
| rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight | | | | involved with activities such as bike rides, nature hikes, |
| or obese. The problem we are seeing is that kids are | | | | camping, outdoor games, ice skating, sledding, or go to |
| spending less time being active doing the things kids do | | | | the park. Everyone will get benefits from the exercise |
| (or used to do) and more time in front of the television, | | | | and time spent together. |
| computer or Xbox. | | | | 3. Encourage activities that your children will enjoy. This |
| The health implication this has on our children is very | | | | may take some work. Let them experiment with |
| serious. Medical issues such as hypertension, Type 2 | | | | different activities until they find something they enjoy. |
| diabetes, heart disease, respiratory ailments, difficulty | | | | This will help them stick with it. Even when they find |
| sleeping, and depression are a serious concern. | | | | something they like, it may soon become boring so you |
| Furthermore, according to the Department of Health | | | | need to be thinking ahead on new ideas for them to |
| and Human Services, an overweight adolescent tends | | | | try. |
| to become an overweight or obese adult. | | | | 4. Limit their time spent watching TV and playing video |
| As a parent you need to be responsible for helping | | | | games. This type of activity leads to a sedentary |
| your child become active so they can avoid the | | | | lifestyle. Another problem with it is that kids tend to |
| complications associated with being overweight. But | | | | snack too much while playing games and watching |
| you ask, "What can I do?" I've put together four tips | | | | TV. Consider limiting this type of activity to 1-2 hours |
| for helping your child become more active in order to | | | | daily. |
| grow up healthy. | | | | Helping your child become more active is critical to their |
| 1. You must be a positive role model to them. As a | | | | long-term health. When your children are healthy and fit |
| parent you need to practice healthy habits yourself. | | | | they will be more in touch with their body, it will |
| Convincing your children to become more active is a | | | | increase their self-esteem, and allow them to better |
| lot easier when you "practice what you preach." Live | | | | cope with life issues. You need to be the support and |
| the life that you advocate, show them that being | | | | encouragement that guides them to achieving this. |
| active can be fun, and chances are that they will | | | | |