Fight Childhood Obesity with a
Lifestyle Transformation
Childhood obesity is becoming a critical health
issue in the United States. This is the first generation of children
who are not expected to live as long as their parents. It’s time to get
serious about our lifestyles and what we’re doing to our children.
As I recently listened to an interview with Susan
Okie, author of the newly published book, Fed Up, I was surprised
by the simplicity of her recommendations to curb this growing problem.
There are three reasons today’s children are more apt to be overweight:
Number one, the options and availability of fast food and snack foods
are enormous. Because it’s everywhere you look, you start to think it
should occupy a commensurate percentage of your diet. Secondly, people
are eating larger portions. A study was conducted comparing three-year
olds with five-year olds. They were given an excessive portion of food
(like macaroni and cheese, a favorite) at mealtime. Whereas the
three-years olds ate only what their body needed, the five-year olds ate
the amount on their plates. Children eat too much because they are
given too much. Lastly, kids are much more sedentary today. Unlike my
childhood, they can consume their days watching a buffet of programs on
TV, playing video games, or instant messaging each other on the
computer. However, children aren’t meant to live like hibernating
bears, metabolism set on “sleep” in order to conserve calories.
Besides changing eating habits, Okie suggests a
lifestyle transformation. Kids need to get active. Mostly, they need
to play--inside the house and out. Get involved in organized groups
such as Scouts, 4H, church groups, sports, play groups, art activities,
dance. Ride bikes, play games with friends, read books, make paper
airplanes, explore the woods, and so on. A recent study has shown that
children who reduced their television consumption lost weight. Their
calorie intake had not been restricted. These youngsters lost weight
because they not only became more active, but they also snacked less.
Two groups of youngsters recently participated in
programs at the museum. At a ceramic workshop for teens, the instructor
asked the students why they had come. Several said it was because their
parents made them. I kept an eye on those kids during the workshop, and
(surprise, surprise) they had a great time. They were engrossed in the
project and enjoyed the process of learning. Others like Anna Wiley
wanted to attend the class. When asked why she had come, she said,
“Because I like artsy things.” What else does Anna do in her free time?
“I really enjoy thread work, and I like to read. I am also involved
with 4-H and church activities.” Her cousin Katy was asked the same
questions. She came because her dad thought it was an interesting
project and a good way to learn a new interest and meet new friends.
Katy found it very interesting. In her spare time Katy likes to read,
play piano and do school work.
The second group of youngsters who came to the
museum participated in a St. Patrick’s Day program. These were children
from 4 to 12 years old. Michelle Doughty got involved because “Grandma
Anne wanted to spend more time with me, and I thought it would be cool
to learn about the Irish.” When asked if her parents ever make her do
things, she said, “Yes, and I do what they want.” She assured us that
doing what her parents’ want doesn’t really hurt that much. With her
free time Michelle likes to play basketball, read, talk to her friends
and play on the computer. Michelle is also involved in 4-H and church.
Parents are responsible for their children’s health
and development. We cannot control most of the negative forces in this
world, but we can reduce childhood obesity in our own homes. The
solutions don’t have to be complicated or expensive. Play with your
children. Take them on walks. Learn something together. Take up a
hobby together such as arrowhead hunting, visiting state parks,
swimming, and collecting stamps. Urge them to try new things like
Michelle, Anne and Katy’s parents did. You are guaranteed to run into
some conflict, but the results will be worth it. When your children are
as old and wise as you are, they’ll thank you.
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