It's newsworthy how often families nowadays trust the education system to teach their kids all kinds of things other than just reading, writing and arithmetic. Many parents put the obligation for avoiding childhood obesity on the shoulders of the school board as well, believing that gym courses and nutrition had better be a piece of the school's curriculum so that kids can stay fit and healthy. This is a very shortsighted position by parents and one that is a surefire formula for disaster. To combat childhood obesity and to keep youngsters fit and healthy, there must be modifications made in the home first and foremost.
One of the reasons that parents cannot rely on the school systems to take care of this is that many schools just cannot offer gym classes the way they once did. Our schools are normally overcrowded these days so the gymnasium needs to serve as a lunchroom for more hours than ever before. Without regular physical activity, childhood obesity is an almost sure thing. And just instructing a child about calories and fat and nutritional content of food does not mean that he or she is going to avoid junk food and fast food also! Just having the knowledge about these things is not motive sufficient to help a child take the choices needed to avoid childhood obesity.
A parent's example and what happens in the home is definately a better indication of whether or not childhood obesity can be avoided. Children typically take on life style choices and attitudes from their parents whether they're aware of it or not. Parents that are active and that regularly have activities to do will likely raise children that are active and busy as well. Those parents that sit on the couch each evening and on the weekends could find childhood obesity a problem in their own home. This is because children are being taught to be sedentary and inactive. If a parent takes the effort to cook meals that are simple but nourishing a child will learn to value wholesome food and to take the extra time and effort required to prepare such dishes. But when a parent is constantly falling back on drive-through meals and other poor dietary choices, a youngster may learn that such food is acceptable. This also may lead to cases of childhood obesity in the home.
Adults too can set limits with their children while they're with them to help avoid childhood obesity. No one can completely control their child when they're on their own, but serving only nutritious meals and snacks while a child is home will decrease any damage they may be doing by eating junk at every other time! Many cases of childhood obesity are also associated to inaction during the day and evening. With this in mind parents can plan times to go to a zoo, aquarium, or other places where everybody walks around. They can also help stave off childhood obesity by biking, walking, playing catch, playing Frisbee, setting up a badminton net, or other activities that involve all the family members.
As a parent, you must take responsibility for the health of your child. This includes making sure that he/she gets proper nutrition along with adequate exercise. Without this, they may become oe of the many kids that are falling thru the cracks into obesity.
One of the reasons that parents cannot rely on the school systems to take care of this is that many schools just cannot offer gym classes the way they once did. Our schools are normally overcrowded these days so the gymnasium needs to serve as a lunchroom for more hours than ever before. Without regular physical activity, childhood obesity is an almost sure thing. And just instructing a child about calories and fat and nutritional content of food does not mean that he or she is going to avoid junk food and fast food also! Just having the knowledge about these things is not motive sufficient to help a child take the choices needed to avoid childhood obesity.
A parent's example and what happens in the home is definately a better indication of whether or not childhood obesity can be avoided. Children typically take on life style choices and attitudes from their parents whether they're aware of it or not. Parents that are active and that regularly have activities to do will likely raise children that are active and busy as well. Those parents that sit on the couch each evening and on the weekends could find childhood obesity a problem in their own home. This is because children are being taught to be sedentary and inactive. If a parent takes the effort to cook meals that are simple but nourishing a child will learn to value wholesome food and to take the extra time and effort required to prepare such dishes. But when a parent is constantly falling back on drive-through meals and other poor dietary choices, a youngster may learn that such food is acceptable. This also may lead to cases of childhood obesity in the home.
Adults too can set limits with their children while they're with them to help avoid childhood obesity. No one can completely control their child when they're on their own, but serving only nutritious meals and snacks while a child is home will decrease any damage they may be doing by eating junk at every other time! Many cases of childhood obesity are also associated to inaction during the day and evening. With this in mind parents can plan times to go to a zoo, aquarium, or other places where everybody walks around. They can also help stave off childhood obesity by biking, walking, playing catch, playing Frisbee, setting up a badminton net, or other activities that involve all the family members.
As a parent, you must take responsibility for the health of your child. This includes making sure that he/she gets proper nutrition along with adequate exercise. Without this, they may become oe of the many kids that are falling thru the cracks into obesity.
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For a free guide to healthful cooking , you can visit Facts About Childhood Obesity. And for a definative guide to stopping the obesity epidemic visit Facts About Childhood Obesity.
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