It’s a downward spiral. Childhood obesity is fast becoming a national epidemic, and the physical and psychological effects of being overweight can last a lifetime. Although the topic of children’s weight problems has become a “hot” topic in the media, too many families do not have the right information or resources when it comes to teaching their children healthy eating habits and exercise.
It certainly isn’t easy being a kid in today’s complex culture, where kids have it harder than their parents, health-wise. Not only do they have to navigate a series of social obstacles in school, but obese and overweight children also face challenges, social and otherwise, far beyond those of typical adolescents. Today’s overweight children, of whom there are many, more often have to deal with discrimination from their peers and scrutiny from adults.
What we all need to understand is that placing, and displacing, guilt does not lessen a child’s suffering, nor does it make it healthier. And we shouldn’t just resign ourselves to believing that genetics is responsible for a child’s weight problem and therefore doing nothing. Rather, we must teach America’s children to navigate through society’s overabundance and easy access to junk and fast food, and to make sound nutrition and fitness choices. Lobbying parents for more physical education courses in school is a good start, but it just isn’t enough.
Just like with adults, there is no quick and easy solution to losing weight in children. To solve a child’s weight problem, parents must help the child help himself by modifying and controlling dietary intake, physical activity, and lifestyle habits. You should also look for resources that can help your child start making small lifestyle changes RIGHT NOW that, combined, will lead to big results. Solutions do not need to be the result of clinical trials or PhD-level dissertations. There are many new products on the market today that have emerged at the grassroots level by Americans who are not only concerned about the health status of children across America, but have decided to take action:
As the author of “It’s Not His Fault I’m Overweight: A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment, and Achievement for Overweight and Obese Children” (www.notfault.com), I am among those who offer a new and unique resource, not just for those kids who struggle with weight issues, but also for those who are within a healthy weight range to stay motivated to continue making wise lifestyle choices and to better understand and empathize with their peers who are currently struggling with a weight problem.
eDiets.com’s Personalized Online Trim Kids(TM) Plan is another fantastic solution to help overweight parents teach their children healthy eating and exercise habits that can last a lifetime. With a personalized meal plan, fitness guidance, and expert support, you can’t go wrong.
Fitwize 4 Kids (www.fitwize4kids.com), a national chain of kids’ gyms that promote fitness, health, and wellness for teens, is another new resource I applaud. The company’s unique approach combines physical activity and fun through methods designed specifically for children ages 6.5 to 15. Fitwize 4 Kids programs increase self-esteem and teach children to implement proper nutrition and exercise habits in their daily lives.
Grandma’s Healthy Kids Club (www.grandmashealthykidsclub.com) is another wonderful resource packed with tools to help kids stay healthy. From “Yum Yum Plates” – fun, hand-painted plates that help teach kids portion control, teen exercise videos, pedometers and other kid-friendly gear, to a variety of children’s health books, Grandma – Bev Gray 61-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana.- You are certainly doing your part, and they are efforts that I wholeheartedly support.
Another excellent front-line solution is “Thumbs Up for Healthy Living,” an educational program that promotes nutrition education, physical activity, and learning-based activities at home designed to promote student wellness. Led by the playful character known as Skipper the Thumbs Up guy, children learn about proper nutrition, good eating habits and a basic fitness program in a language they can understand. The program features the patent-pending classic EZ-Rope(TM) (www.ezrope.net), the jump rope without the middle(TM) that allows children to get the physical benefit of jumping rope without the difficulty, as well as a Thumbs Up For Healthy Living interactive workbook, Total Conditioning Cardio with EZ-Rope DVD, and Thumbs Up Thermal Lunch Bags, among other resources.
Let a former NAVY SEAL Instructor and ACE Certified Personal Trainer take health matters into their own hands; FitDeck® Jr. by Phil Black (www.fitdeck.com) is an ever-changing 50-card exercise deck for children ages 5-16. Fun, kid-friendly exercises require basic body movements and require no equipment.
These are just a few of the many examples of robust and relatively inexpensive products that can help families get up to speed in no time. Parents and children themselves must act now, as America’s children are at risk for many complications of being overweight and obese. This is no small problem, as obesity is known to contribute to devastating illnesses and emotional depression. For the health of our nation and all of our futures, we must provide our children with the basics: the knowledge of how to live a healthy lifestyle and both the desire and the tools to do just that.
