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Fighting Obesity In Our Own Families
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Since Halloween has just passed and Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, this is a good time to examine how obesity in American children is increasing at an alarming rate. Understanding some of the reasons of how this has happened can help parents make wiser choices to help prevent or work on existing obesity problems in their own families.
It seems like over the past two decades American family dynamics has changed dramatically from prior years. Partly due to both parents having to work, families have very little extra time. The sit-down dinner is not as common as it was years ago so it is much harder to monitor our family's meals. Fast food and inferior nutrition has become common place.
In addition to nutrition concerns, there has been a tremendous decrease in physical activity for our children. Most children do not exercise the recommended daily 60 minutes. Not only have schools decreased physical education and recess time, but exercise time at home is also at an all time low.
Many parents are fearful and reluctant to let their children play outside with their friends or by themselves in the nearby streets or parks. Due to crime of many sorts, parents just feel safer with their children indoors and therefore, less active. This time indoors usually means television or computer time replace exercise time.
There is no easy solution to help with this national problem. For sure, as with most problems, we have to start with ourselves. Are we good role models for our children? Do we eat right and exercise regularly? We must be accountable for ourselves and our own children"s health.
Turn off that TV and computer. If you cannot go outside then exercise indoors. Set up a home gym, or at least an area that can be used temporarily for exercising. Turn up the music and have a family dancing session. Do a stair workout as a family, making a game of it. Create your own family boot camp. Be consistent and make it fun!
Get your children involved with planning and preparing meals. Have them go grocery shopping with you and help choose healthy food. Have pizza nights on Fridays. Have everyone help in making healthy pizza. Try setting up a healthy buffet style salad bar on your counter for dinner one night. The more children are involved with preparing meals for the family, the better they will eat.
Be as disciplined with your children's physical activity and nutrition as you are with all aspects of their lives. As a nation we need to be aware of the many future health and health care issues that will arise as our children grow older. Look to change your own family and the first step in the right direction will be made!
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