Keeping Kids Healthy – Exercise and Diet

It’s so important these days to make sure your kids are active.  Let’s face it, they love to be.  It’s just that sometimes video games and TV zones them out to the point where they forget to move around.  I know it happens to my kids, but when given the chance to play, they’ll almost always jump at it.  It’s tough, though.  You’re busy and sometimes it’s easy to let them zone out.  You have to be strong and make sure they don’t always put on the TV or Nintendo DS, etc.

When you have little ones, you certainly have to be more involved than you’d like to be sometimes, though.  They can’t yet take the bike to the park on their own, especially since the news and internet make you think that they will be kidnapped the minute they leave the house unattended.  So, you have to take them to the park, or ride the bike with them, or take them to a playdate or after school activity.  It can get hectic and sometimes draining.  With the way things are today, you can bring along you iPad or cell phone and get things done.  Also, since you are all about having play date for your kids…why not have a play date yourself.  It helps to make the time fly!

You have to fight through it and do what’s best for the kids!!!!  (Most of the time).

Kids who are active will:

• have stronger muscles and bones
• have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
• be less likely to become overweight
• decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
• have a better outlook on life

Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges — from running to catch a bus to studying for a test. – Kids Health

 

On top of that, you have to worry about your child’s diet.  Chips, soda, and the like seem to be everywhere.  They are kids, so a little treat here and there can’t hurt.  But overall solid, healthy eating habits should really be encouraged as much as possible.  I think on key thing is knowing portion sizes and what it is that kid’s are really eating.  Nick Jr. has a great nutrition guide here.  I know many of you were raised to “clean your plate” but I think you’d be surprised about how much (or little) kids really need to stay fit and healthy.

The good thing is that people and organizations are taking notice and attempting to do something about it.  But the numbers are frigtening these days, since  “Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. ” This is a growing trend and a very real danger to the country as a whole.

Here are some great examples of sites that can help you through these challenges:

• NFL Play 60 – make sure your kids play for 60 min a day
• All You Can Eat – fun nutrition focused game
• US Conference of Mayors – guide to dealing with the problem
• Let’s Move! – overall health and fitness for kids
• Supersized Kids – an 8-week program called, “The SuperFit Family Challenge”

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