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Physically Tweaked by Cat Smiley
Grown-ups tend to attack battle of the bulge woes with a vengeance. Yet somehow,
childhood obesity gets dismissed as temporary baby-fat, a problem shadowed by
expanding waistlines and exercise concerns of today‘s parents.
Who are we kidding? North America has become a nation of spectators, with western
society’s obsession with sport sprinting towards spectator entertainment,
rather than participation. Kids don’t even need to skateboard any more -
they can do much wilder tricks with a Tony Hawk game on Play Station. Families
playing ball together in the park have become as historic as the Cosby Show.
According to the World Health Organization, close to 20 million children globally
are obese, with children in developing countries constituting a surprising one-third
of the obese population. Approximately half of North America’s young teens
are completely inactive throughout the year.
Despite these statistics, modern marketing should be commended on its aggressive
tackling of the obesity problem. From bottled water with trendy packaging through
skateboarders endorsing yogurt in a bottle, mass advertising campaigns have woken
up millions, yet the work is just beginning. Continuing on this track is key.
Strangers and the dangers of the unsupervised world lingering beyond the white
picket fence, have triggered many parents to keep their kids indoors when they
are not able to be observed. With both parents working, this leaves it up to the
child to turn off the computer and head down to the park for some basketball.
Parents (feeling guilty that they can‘t be there) often stock up the kitchen
with after-school snacks laden with empty calories. It takes a pretty strong-willed
child to choose exercise over chocolate chip ice cream!
Today’s child is well aware of the current sporting trends as seen on television,
music videos and the Internet. Peer pressure to wear the cool clothes and brands
can often put off less fortunate children from participating in sports. Social
life often ends up revolving around having friends over for pizza and watching
videos. The snowball effect of this scenario can deter even further your child’s
desire to participate in sports. Outcast fears are multiplied when you’re
a fat kid, especially without the cool clothes! It’s harder to get chosen
for teams, keep up the pace and not let your teammates down, fit into the team
uniforms and basically do sports that everyone else is doing.
Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance, when energy consumption exceeds the
amount burnt off; with a small percentage related to medical or genetic factors.
Even if your child is at ideal weight, activity should still be a crucial part
of their day. To address the big picture of youth health and fitness, we need
this awareness, action and education of this lifestyle. Healthy influence needs
to continue on its current track of hitting children’s attention everywhere,
not just in the home. Healthy foods can be increasingly advertised towards children
in a fun, appetizing way, instead of broccoli being the evil brother of Cheese
Whiz and water something you drink when you’re out of Pepsi.
We can walk to school with our kids and play sports with them where possible.
This will also help parents meet the recommended hour of daily exercise. Increase
your family’s physical activity levels; plan an after dinner walk instead
of watching television, buy some cheap tennis rackets and hit the ball around
on the local court, shoot some basketball hoops at the local school near your
house.
There’s always going to be some activity the whole family can enjoy. They
might complain at the time as you try to drag them out of the house, but will
thank you in the long term! The point is not to turn family exercise into a chore,
but an opportunity to feel great and have fun! Its our responsibility, to live
in a sustainable community based on the values of health and fitness. Not only
will the gift of active living stay with your children forever, but will pass
with them through generations.
Now isn’t that reason enough to turn the television off?
Cat Smiley is a pro-athlete and award winning personal trainer, available for
training at Fitness World (N. Vancouver), your home, the beach and in Whistler.
She is the fitness host of Physically Tweaked on fitnesseducation.com. Contact
1-604-902-0698, www.catsmiley.com
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