What Can You Do About Childhood Obesity
Recent years have seen a massive increase in the number of clinically obese children. The problem is so great that the government has had to step in with a groundbreaking strategy that supports the creation of a healthy society.
But what practical steps can any parent take to encourage sedentary youngsters to get more exercise? Here are a few suggestions partially derived from the Parents Centre forum:
- Start by being honest about your own lifestyle, your habits, the food you eat and the exercise that you take;
- Consider the example that you are setting for your children and look at aspects of your own lifestyle that can be improved;
- Impose stricter boundaries around luxury foods (treats only) for both yourself and your children;
- Get the children involved in team sports. If none are available consider starting something yourself;
- Go cycling as a family each week;
- Go swimming together each week;
- Horse riding can be great if you can afford it;
- Play badmington, tennis, cricket, football or whatever takes their fancy;
- Enrol the children at a local activity centre as this will enable them to gain many experiences;
- Invest in a garden trampoline. Irresistible to both children and adults alike;
- Invest in a few skipping ropes, footballs, frisbies and other toys that can be taken to the park or played with in the garden;
- Routinely turn off all televisions and radios and mobile phones and go for a walk;
- Go camping together at weekends;
- Don’t allow them to sit around playing computer games when the weather is good. Be firm and throw the children out of the house to play.
Crucially, be honest with yourself regarding the example that you are setting as a parent. If you routinely give in to temptation by eating unhealthy foods and don’t take any exercise then you can’t expect your children to do any different.