Solutions For Obesity in Children

When doing a search on current health issues for kids, obesity in children seems to rank #1 these days. How did obesity get to be such a major problem in the U.S.? Kids are the ones with all the energy, right? Well, it seems that in the last several years the obesity rate in kids has grown so quickly and it is not the fault of the children, mostly. Here are some things that can be done to reduce the high rate of obesity in the U.S.

With the advancement of the electronic age has come more time to sit. The use of television, video games (both on the TV and handheld), computer and other electronic devices is so prevalent in our homes today that kids do not have the "free" time they use to have when those devices were not around. Many of our children these days do not have to come up with a game to play, think of what to do next or create something to fill time, such as play outside, play a board game or read a book. Most can just hit a button, turn on the TV or put in their headphones and they feel "busy." Their minds, hands and eyes may be occupied, but not their whole body.

READING GAMES FOR KIDS

There are companies now which are making interactive video games, which are great, but can never replace participating in an outside game of soccer or tag, riding a bike or playing hopscotch on crooked hand-drawn lines on the sidewalk. The first thing that needs to be done is for parents and adults to realize how much time their children are spending on "screen" time each day and evaluate if it is too much. It is hard for adults to do this sometimes, because with our hectic schedules, it is much easier for us to allow our children to play a game or watch a show than to take the time to encourage them to do something else or even to play with them.

Screen time needs to be limited for children. They won't do it themselves, so the adults have to help set guidelines. Also, activities need to be offered that can help them fill the time that the screens use to fill. A list can be made and hung on the refrigerator of activities they can do, so they can never say, "I don't have anything to do." Some activities could be outside sports like basketball or bike riding, swinging or kickball. A time suggestion might be helpful, too. For example, play basketball for 30 minutes could be on the list. The list can also include non-exercise activities, like reading or games, puzzles, etc., so they have other things to choose from when they have already completed their exercise for the day.

It may be necessary for some kids to have a schedule laid out for them so they will know exactly what is expected of them. It is good to incorporate some type of exercise activity every day, even for 30 minutes, but more time is better. Some programs now are suggesting one hour of play for kids per day. As always, kids will respond much better with encouragement and by example. So the adults need to set an example for the kids. It would be very helpful if there are activities the adult and child can do together, like walking, bike riding, sports. Half the battle is making the activities fun to where the kids want to participate. An increase in activity will help decrease obesity in our kids-we just need to encourage them!

Solutions For Obesity in Children

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Rich has been writing articles for nearly 8 years. Come visit his latest website over at Natural ChildBirth which offers reviews of the best Childbirth DVD's for expecting parents.

READING GAMES FOR KIDS