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3 Tips to Avoid Child Obesity for Life
| Warning signs that a child may be in danger of becoming obese can be boiled down to three key questions: • Is my child involved in sedentary after school activities such as watching television, phone texting, playing electronic games and using computers? • Are my child's favorite foods and drinks found in packaged boxes, snack bags and soda cans? • Is my child getting less than 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise each day? If your answer is "Yes" to any one of these questions, perhaps it's time for a change. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 percent of all children and teens in the United States alone are overweight and at risk for a host of health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Other factors that can lead to childhood obesity include commercial advertising for unhealthy foods targeted at children's television programming. According to an analysis by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "nearly 80 percent of food ads on the popular children's network Nickelodeon are for foods of poor nutritional quality." One expert believes the secret to preventing children from becoming part of that alarming statistic is to offer fresh, unprocessed foods and to play 10-minute fitness and coordination games as early in the child's life as possible. "Kids who start ahead by being active, stay ahead in school, sports and life," said Karen Ronney, author of Proud Parents Guide to Raising Athletic, Balanced, and Coordinated Kids from Thomas Nelson Publishing (www.karenronney.com). "Fit kids are healthier, happier and more ready to learn." Ronney suggests the prime times to start game play are during infancy, toddlerhood and preschool years. Then increase physical challenges in the elementary school age and teenage years by adding more technical fundamental sports skills. The following are three tips for giving your child the right start: • Stimulate your baby's eyes and hands to teach fine motor skills and visual tracking such as reaching for and grasping objects. • Promote brain cell growth and body balance in your toddler and preschooler through large motor movement while hopping, skipping, running and jumping. • Develop core strength, eye-hand and eye-foot sports skills in school-age kids such as kicking, catching and hitting balls. "Let your child be your guide," said Ronney, whose program lists over 200 activities using basic household supplies. "Always allow for success, gradually increase the challenge and have fun. The goal is to raise happy, balanced and coordinated kids who are physically and mentally ready to excel in athletics, academics, music, art and other interests." The biggest key, Ronney said, is starting early in a child's life. |
About the Author
Tony Panaccio is a staff writer at News & Experts.
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